Race Recap: Carolina Cup 2019

We’re on our way home from the Carolina Cup, which is easily our favorite SUP race of the year. Not only does it kick off our race season, but it’s a festival of fun for days ahead of race morning. We rent a house with a flock of our Filthy Flamingos and revel in the camaraderie on the water and catch up with friends from near and far that we’ve met along the way.

All the prep and planning we did for the ride down to Wrightsville Beach, NC made for a smooth trip and race. Here’s our perspective on our races and the event.

Meredith’s Race

This was my fifth time racing the Harbor Island course, but I woke up on race morning with no expectations. I hate to admit that I haven’t been training and my first time on my board was two days before the race. I hate to admit it because I was the fourth woman across the finish line and walked away with first place in my division. That shows me two things: 1) While I haven’t been training specifically for SUP races, I’ve been consistently working out and building both my physical and mental strength, something I had in short supply in years past, and 2) It’s time for me to step up to the Money Island race and work harder to feel comfortable pacing the middle-distance races.

This race was kind of emotional for me. I never expected to do as well as I did, and I was fortunate to paddle it alongside my good friend, Christy, who finished ahead of me in the overall third spot. What I love about racing is the camaraderie, championing other racers, and giving and getting encouragement. There were loads of opportunities to do that on Saturday.

Harbor Island 18-49

Meredith’s 1st place finish

Scott’s Race

I also went into this race with zero expectations. Since the loss of my father last summer, I lost my drive to compete. For me this trip was more about reconnecting with friends from the waterman community. The prep for the race was almost perfect – note to self: don’t just pick up your hydration pack, check to make sure you have a bite valve on it (thanks, Mer, for sacrificing yours).

Having raced this course four times, I was confident in my knowledge of wind breaks, eddies, and the tides. It’s a nice feeling going into a race without thinking you’ll make it the podium – there’s a lot less stress. But, having gotten to fourth position a few times before, it felt really damn good getting on the podium in third. The legends division keeps kicking butt! When I step up to a 14’, hopefully you’ll see me in the Graveyard.

My biggest takeaway from this race is the paddling ohana is still alive and vibrant and growing, despite the divisions of the race leagues and bureaucracy.

Money Island Masters

Scott’s 3rd place finish

We’re really proud of our friends, students, and Filthy Flamingos for finishing top five in each of their races and divisions. We know that high you get from standing on the podium and hearing Dan Gavere call your name, and that feeling from taking home a PR. It’s easy for us to sit here writing how it’s not all about winning when the whole house was full of winners. But we had a lot of moments this week that reminded us of what really matters at these events.

We met a woman at our Dan Gavere race clinic on Friday. It was her first Carolina Cup. She found us on Saturday morning and listened to our pre-race strategy huddle. She asked Meredith for last minute advice before they paddled to the start line, which she happily gave. They connected again after the race and the woman was so grateful for the tips and even said, “people who are really good don’t always take the time to help others.” (Rosa, if you’re out there reading this, congratulations again on your race and send us the picture you took at the finish with Meredith!)

It’s those moments you don’t think about that might mean a lot to another person. It’s encouraging new racers; it’s cooking dinner for friends the night before the race; it’s shouting and ringing cow bells for people at the finish line; it’s working your hardest and feeling like you’ve done the best you could – that’s what these races are about. And that’s why we love the Carolina Cup – because those moments are plentiful if you take the opportunity to look for them.  

P.S. Thanks to our nest of Filthy Flamingos this year – Christy, Eileen, Laura, Julie, and Bernie. We had an epic week with you! Our 16 week fitness and race training course starts on May 8. Email aloha@dcsupcouple.com to learn more!