Blog / SUPing

Necker Island has long been one of our favorite islands in the British Virgin Islands, actually in the entire Caribbean.  We were lucky enough to have a photo shoot there a few years back...

Start: Dash for Cash
At the Eastern point of Trellis Bay, the first paddler from each team starts in the shallow waters at the top of the bay.  The support boats hover offshore ready to pace the racers as they head downwind through the Caminoe channel towards Guana Island.  Strong winds will push the paddlers.  The current may be flooding in which case it’ll add an extra couple knots of speed.  If the current is moving upwind then expect big rollers in the middle of the channel.  Estimated start time is 9:00am on Friday, July 6.

1st Changeover: Guana Island Cut
Teams must make their first changeover by the narrow cut separating Tortola and Guana Island.  The sea conditions flatten out and racers can choose to stay inshore out of the wind and in almost mirror flat sea conditions.  Support boats will be in the area to assist paddlers as they enter and exit the race.

Course Conditions: Tortola’s North Shore
Sea conditions will get challenging as the swell bounces off the several headlands that define the North shore of Tortola.  This might be the most difficult portion of the race.

2nd Changeover: Brewers Bay
Teams must make their second changeover by the time the second paddler reaches the Eastern point of Brewers Bay. The course opens up after Brewers Bay, as paddlers head into open water.  If the wind is from the South teams should paddle a more South Westerly route; if the wind is from the East then a simple direct line course to Jost Van Dyke will suffice.

Finish: Dash for Cash
The first paddler to hit the beach, run up and touch the designated finish flag wins $4,000 cash for his team!  The finish may be challenging as the paddlers thread their way through the myriad of anchored boats in front of the world-famous Soggy Dollar Bar.  Second place finishers win $1,000 cash and the third place team wins $600. 

If you would like to compete in the Soggy Dollar Bar Dash for Cash, email me at andym@go-hiho.com  We're still accepting participants in the Highland Spring HIHO as well.  And remember, registration is free for competitors in the HIHO race; $600 per team for everyone else.  Hope to see you on the course in July!

 

And the best part?  YOU can join us.  Our latest announcement is the 'Dash for Cash' SUP relay race to one of our favorite spots in all of the BVI, the Soggy Dollar Bar.  

{photo credit: Soggy Dollar Bar}

We are big fans of stand-up paddle boarding and this is a great way to combine two things we love: SUP racing and painkillers!  Have you ever had the Original Painkiller from Soggy Dollar Bar?  If not, this is a great reason to get yourself to the BVI in July.  Well, that, and the winning team will receive $4,000 cash!  Here are all of the details...hope you can make it!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

$4,000 ‘Dash for Cash’ SUP Race to Soggy Dollar Bar
The Highland Spring HIHO Race adds a relay race to its week of competition

April 5, 2012 (Tortola, British Virgin Islands) –  ‘Painkillers for everyone!’ when the winners of the first-ever Soggy Dollar Bar ‘Dash for Cash’ reach the beach.  The stand-up paddle boarding relay race will be held on Friday, July 6 during the Highland Spring HIHO – a week-long windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding competition in the British Virgin Islands.  The Soggy Dollar Bar ‘Dash for Cash’ is open to everyone, not just participants in the HIHO.

“We’re excited to open up the HIHO for this one-day race and include stand-up paddle boarders from around the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico,” says event organizer, Andy Morrell.  “Four thousand dollars for the winning team buys a lot of painkillers!” 

Teams of three will race from Trellis Bay on Beef Island to Jost van Dyke’s White Bay, home of the world famous Soggy Dollar Bar.  “It’s an honor to be part of the inaugural Soggy Dollar Bar ‘Dash for Cash” with such great partners as Highand Springs and HiHO,” says Jerry O’Connell, owner of Soggy Dollar.  “I can’t think of a better finish line than the  Soggy Dollar on White Bay.  The Soggy Dollar family will be there with open arms (and many Painkillers) to welcome all the supporters and participants in this challenging event. It will be well worth their efforts, I guarantee it.”

One of the world’s top stand-up paddle boarders, Chase Kosterlitz, will be racing on the Fanatic Team.  In addition to top local and regional racers, the United Kingdom’s top female stand-up paddle boarders, Kristy Jones will also make the ‘Dash for Cash.’

To ensure a fair race, all relay teams will use the same board design as they make the 12-mile trek.  Also, each team must have at least one female paddler.  Catamarans, provided by The Moorings, will be stationed along the race route to assist with the participant’s transitions and cheer them on.

The first team to reach White Bay will win a $4,000 cash prize.  The second place team will receive $1,000 in cash and the third place finishers will receive $600, which covers the price of entry.  To register for the Soggy Dollar ‘Dash for Cash,’ e-mail Andy Morrell at racebvi@surfbvi.com. The entry fee is $200 per person or $600 per team.  For participants in the Highland Spring HIHO, the entry fee is already included.  The registration deadline is June 6.   

Morrell says there are still a few spots left for the week-long event, the Highland Spring HIHO; it runs from July 1 – July 8, 2012.  The Highland Spring HIHO attracts water sports enthusiasts from around the world.  Staying aboard captained catamarans from The Moorings, competitors take part in an ambitious week-long racing event in open water.   Great sailing and nightly parties make the HIHO as much for non-racers as it is for competitors.

Visit www.go-hiho.com for more information.

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ABOUT HIHO
Highland Spring HIHO combines windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, yacht racing & island adventure. Participants experience an odyssey through the beautiful British Virgin Islands, daily racing, great food & live entertainment.  Living aboard captained catamarans from The Moorings, the World's largest charter boat company, participants compete in SUP or windsurfing classes alongside pro & amateur racers from around the world. Highland Spring HIHO is as much fun for non-competing participants who can enjoy great sailing or other water sports and discovering new islands and destinations.

ABOUT SOGGY DOLLAR BAR
Soggy Dollar Bar is the birthplace of the Original Painkiller, the popular cocktail that blends rum with its own secret concoction of juices.   The name of the bar is derived from the fact that many people swim ashore from their boats, thus buying their drinks with soggy dollars.  For more than 40 years, Soggy Dollar Bar has been attracting boaters and drinkers alike to the white sands of White Bay, Jost van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands.

{photo credit: Kayla Beiler}