The Great Lagoon Race is On
The Great OC Lagoon Race is back for another year, bringing together the Ocean City community for a morning of friendly competition and fun. What started in 2020 as a creative alternative to the canceled Night in Venice due to COVID-19, has blossomed into a beloved annual event.
This year’s race will take place on Saturday, August 9. No need to sign up in advance—if you have a paddleboard or kayak and a desire to join the fun, just show up about 10 minutes before the race starts to be entered. The paddleboard races will begin at 11:00 am, and the kayak race will begin at 11:30 am. Contests should meet at the 18th Street bulkhead. You can launch your kayaks and paddleboards at either the 16th Street or 18th Street bulkhead.
Paddlers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to come to the race. Please, NO RACING BOARDS. The course is a roughly 3/4-mile loop around the 17th Street island, a route that keeps participants close to the action and the cheering crowds.
Some trophies will be awarded this year, and local businesses are also getting in on the action, contributing gift cards for the winners’ baskets. Organizers emphasize that the race is less about who finishes first and more about celebrating the community spirit of Ocean City. The real winner, they say, is the person who has the most fun. This sentiment is echoed by the residents along the lagoon, who come out in droves to cheer on the racers, turning the event into a true community affair.
Grab your gear and get ready to paddle!