ROCK HILL, S.C. September 9th, 2024— The Goat Boater Stand-Up Paddleboard Race Series is set to host their final SUP Race of the year with a 5K, Season Awards, cash prizes along with 4-time world paddleboard champion April Zilg on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024.
This event will wrap up the season for The Goat Boater Paddleboard Races and will include paddleboard clinics and demos for newcomers on Saturday and the 5k race on Sunday. The clinics will be taught by standup paddle champion April Zilg, who will join the entire Goat Boater crew post-race around noon at Model A Brewing.
The 5k race will start at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday at Windjammer Park Beach. It will consist of 40-50 amateur and professional paddlers maxing out their heart rates around Sunset and Goat Islands. The top 3 male and female racers will receive a $900 cash purse.
April Zilg will compete in the race as she is an avid pioneer of the sport and is known internationally for winning Gold at the 2018 – 2019 Pan American Surfing Games, placing 1st at the Columbia Gorge Paddle Challenge, and becoming the New York SUP Open Overall Women’s Champion. To top that off, she became the World Vice-Champion of the APP World Tour. In 2022, April won the 2022 Carolina Cup, placed silver at the Va’a World Championships Sprints, followed by gold medals at both the ICF and ISA Stand Up Paddleboard World Championships, then completing the 2022 season as the overall World Tour Champion after competing in California, London, Korea, and Spain in both spring and distance disciplines.
April Zilg, “After making it to the first two Goat Boater races this season, I realized how much I missed local races! Cheering for every paddler on the course and at the finish is not taking any of it too seriously; it is just enjoying being with other people who like to get out, do hard things, and push themselves. Thank you, Megan & Rob Cynowa, for putting on an epic "local race" that's just as good if not better than the "big races."
Megan Cynowa, the recent winner of SUPConnect’s ‘Shop of the Year, ’ an international award recognizing the best of the best in the paddle industry, started the Goat Boater in 2015. Cynowa was born and raised in Tega Cay and has a mission to get kids and families out on the water enjoying the sport of SUP.
Megan says, “Our race series is a blast and has a place for everyone! Whether you are a weekend warrior, average Joe, or seasoned athlete, you will be warmly welcomed. We always need volunteers, and spectators are welcome to come join the fun on the beach.”
After the race, competitors, and spectators are invited to enjoy a celebration at Model A Brewing Company for lunch and drinks to cap off the season. The public is invited to attend.
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About The Goat Boater and Paddleboard Racing:
Lake Wylie’s original paddleboard outfitter operates out of the waterfront parks within the city of Tega Cay, SC. The Goat Boater offers SUP rentals, sales, lessons, private coaching, paddle leagues & more! The Goat Boater SUP Race Series is an extension of all things SUP and allows individuals interested in SUP as a sport to take their skills to the next level.
About Visit York County:
As the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for York County, South Carolina, Visit York County exists to raise the profile and boost the economy of York County through tourism and destination marketing while also contributing to the quality of life for residents. For additional information, visit www.VisitYorkCounty.com