Join other surf ski, SUP, sea kayak and stand up paddleboard enthusiasts for the 4th annual 13.5 mile Cheboygan Waterways Open Water Challenge, Saturday, July 9th, 2016. The open water race will take place in Lake Huron's Straits of Mackinaw. The Straits are known for great downwind conditions especially with prevailing Northwest winds. This Unique course will start with the majestic Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinaw Island as a backdrop and proceed downwind to the mouth of the Cheboygan River (long course). The new alternative short course has been added this year and will start at the State Park located at the beautiful Duncan Bay. For both races the final mile will take racers past the coast guard cutter Mackinaw and various working barges and tug boats to the final finish under Cheboygan's newly constructed pedestrian bridge. After a short walk across the bridge, participants will have the opportunity to swap stories at the post race party and awards ceremony at the Cheboygan Brewing Company. Paddlers can then continue their evening enjoying live bands and refreshments at the new location of Anchor In Marina just down the street as a continuation of Cheboygan's waterways festival.

EVENT DETAILS Long course - With prevailing N.W winds, the planned start of the race will be at the Mackinaw Mill Creek campground (9730 US Hwy 23, Mackinaw City, MI 49701). In order to help ensure a quality "downwind" event, if winds were to be out of the East on race day, an alternative start at a landing site South of Cheboygan would occur. Additionally, if weather conditions in the Straits were to be deemed unsafe on race day, an alternative downstream inland waterways course may be considered. Racers should monitor the Cheboygan Chamber of Commerce website for instructions regarding possible course changes. Alternatively, racers could e-mail the race director at [email protected] or phone 231-420-1148 for updates. Finally all racers are encouraged to include cell phone numbers and/or email contacts on their registration forms.

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SCHEDULE 11:00am - Registration at Mill Creek campground and boat staging. (or alternative starting area as weather dictates) 12:15pm - Participants leave Mill Creek campground to drop their vehicles at the parking lot on the South side of the pedestrian bridge in Cheboygan. Directions: Take US23 South to Cheboygan. At the stoplight in Cheboygan; turn left and continue on US23 approximately 1/4 mile to Cleveland Ave. Right on Cleveland Ave about 1/4 mile to the pedestrian bridge parking lot. 1:00pm - Shuttle leaves from the pedestrian bridge to bring racers back to the start at Mill Creek Campground 1:30pm - Marathon course description and safety talk at Mill Creek starting area 1:45pm - Kayak launch and line up 2:00pm - Marathon starts!

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5:00pm - Awards Ceremony and post-race party directly across pedestrian bridge at Cheboygan Brewing Company.

NEW ALTERNATIVE SHORT COURSE (4 miles) FOR 2016 SCHEDULE 1:00 pm - Registration at Cheboygan State Park Pavillion at Duncan Bay and boat staging. 2:00pm - Participants leave State Park Pavillion to drop their vehicles at the parking lot on the South side of the pedestrian bridge in Cheboygan. Directions: Take US23 North to Cheboygan. At Cleveland Street in Cheboygan; turn left and about 1/4 mile to the pedestrian bridge parking lot. 2:15pm - Shuttle leaves from the pedestrian bridge to bring racers back to the start at State Park start area 2:30pm - Marathon course description and safety talk at Cheboygan State Park starting area 2:45pm - Kayak launch and line up 3:00pm – Short course starts! 5:00pm - Awards Ceremony and post-race party directly across pedestrian bridge at Cheboygan Brewing Company. BOAT CLASSES Marathon K1 Unlimited Men (Surf skis and sea kayaks over 18’ long) Marathon K1 Unlimited Women Marathon Sea Kayak Men (Boats 18' and under) Marathon Sea Kayak Woman Stand Up Paddle Boards Men Stand Up Paddle Boards Women

Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each division

Pre-Registration Cost: $45 Cost after July 4th: $55 (Registrations received before July 4th will receive a T-shirt)

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RULES All participants must wear a properly fitted, coast guard approved PFD (life vest) at all times during the race. Failure to wear a PFD will be grounds for disqualification. Inflatable BELTS are not acceptable by the coast guard. Inflatable VESTS are acceptable. All racers must carry a safety whistle All racers must attend the course and safety briefing Keep an eye on your fellow paddlers and assist where needed. The official time keeper's result will be final Your boat should be sea worthy, with water tight bulkheads or adequate flotation. Spray skirts are strongly recommended for sea kayaks Boat and paddle leashes are strongly recommended and may be required as weather dictates. SAFETY PROTOCOL At least one safety power boat will be available to provide race support Each racer should carry a cell phone or marine VHS radio for contacting race officials in case of an emergency. Contact numbers will be provided and we will monitor VHF marine channel 69. Race officials reserve the right to modify the course, times or other event particulars to accommodate weather, lake conditions or group dynamics. Drivers will be available to pick up participants at designated places in case of an emergency.

Registration Form Mail checks payable to: “Cheboygan Area Chamber Of Commerce” for $45.00 **After July 4, 2016 Registration is $55.00 Mail this form to: 124 N. Main St., Cheboygan, MI 49721 For more information including lodging, dining and area attractions visit: www.cheboygan.com or call 231-627-7183.

Please DO NOT mail entries after July 4th, 2016 Last name:_______________________________ First name:______________________________________ Street address:________________________________________City:________________________________ State:______

Zip code:______________ Phone #:__________________ DOB:____/_____/_____

Email Address:___________________________________________________________ Age ______

Sex: M

F

Shirt Size: S

M

L

XL

XXL

Please Indicate The Class In Which You Will Compete

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Men’s Marathon K1 Unlimited (Surf skis and sea kayaks over 18’ long) $45 Women’s Marathon K1 Unlimited (Surf skis and sea kayaks over 18’ long) $45 Men’s Marathon Sea Kayak (Boats 18' and under) $45 Women’s Marathon Sea Kayak (Boats 18' and under) $45 Men’s SUP Board $45 Women’s SUP Board $45 Men’s Stand Up Paddle Board $45 Women’s Stand Up Paddle Board $45 RISK ASSESMENT

Your go-no-go decision should be based on weather, water, your skills and experience with understanding that: 1. You are engaging in an activity with inherent dangers. 2. You accept and acknowledge your are participating at your own risk, and 3. You are responsible for your own safety and to use your best judgment.

SIGNATURE:____________________________ DATE:________________

2015 RESULTS Surf Ski Men Erik Borgnes

1:39:50

Epic V10

Greg Hintz

1:50:26

Huki S1X

Denny Paull

1:51:03

Greg Greene

1:53:25

Nick and Haden Murray Tony Short Billy Bellinger

1:55:48 1:58:39 1:59:28

Stellar SEI Epic V10 Stellar S2E Tandem Fenn Elite Epic V10

Gary Sadowski

2:17:37

K12 Kangtrav

Steve Bannow

2:21:00

Epic V10 Sport

John Gravlin Wayne Stroope

2:44:28 3:06:00

Stellar SR Stellar SEL

Women Surf Ski Tracy Hardin Sue Stroope

2:28:31 2:42:42

Stellar SR Epic V10 Sport

2015 RESULTS SUP Men Tony Paul Ryen Keenan Rob Patton Ben Tinholt

2:29:45 2:51:05 2:56:52 3:09:35

Bark Blue 14’BIKBox SIC F14

Kayak Men

Greg Bechtel

2:41:36

Current Designs Storm GT

Kayak Women Shellie Charboneau

2:56:20

Keeweenaw 14