Get ready for the Ultimate SUP Challenge

The Ottawa River will be filled with Stand Up Paddlers July 18-20th, 2014 for The Ultimate SUP Challenge. The event will be the first of its kind in Canada, introducing the popular and competitive world of Whitewater SUP. The event is being organized by whitewater icon Dan Gavere and local business woman Harmony Dawn. Dan, a long time paddle athlete whose former career in kayaking first introduced him to the Ontario area in 2000 is excited about the event. “Whitewater Stand Up is an exciting, fresh new sport which gives water lovers a new way to play."  Just off competing at the GoPro Games in Vail, Colorado and currently in Idaho, Dan knows the event will draw competitors from across Canada and the US to battle it out in a race format that combines their whitewater racing skills with their flat water racing skills. “Whitewater SUP is exploding, people love the combination of skill, speed and agility. It is great for spectators and will bring a new of Tourist to the Ontario area."    

 

The event benefits Lupus Ontario, in memory of Harmony’s mom, Laurel McGrath, who lived life to the fullest with Lupus, celebrating her  birthday skydiving over the Ottawa river, she passed away 2 days later at age 58. Harmony, owner of Urban Ocean, one of the first Canadian Stand Up Paddle training companies is passionate about the sport and raising awareness. She has been paddling and training people since 2009 "Ontario has given me so much, my business is based here, the community is amazing and I am proud and excited to honor my Mom, introduce a great event to the area and most importantly raise funds to support Lupus Ontario. The organization directly benefits people living with the disease in the Ontario region."  Lupus is an auto immune disease that can be extremely difficult to diagnose and has been labeled the disease with a million faces.

 

  

The event starts on Friday, July 18th with clinics from visiting and local area athletes.  Saturday will see fierce competition in the whitewater races at Push Button Rapids and the event will conclude on Sunday at the beautiful beach river side at the Owl Rafting Headquarters with the 10K elite race, 5k open race, fun kids's and relay races.   All weekend long there will be sup yoga & fitness classes, complimentary board demos and representatives from amazing companies and sponsors, including Suplove, Speedboard, Pau Hana, Jimmy Lewis, Harvest, Kialoa, Rogue Astral, Farmboy, and SUP Skin are already confirmed to be in attendance.

 

For more information about the race please visit www.theultimatesupchallenge.net