Stand-up paddling continues to grow in the Virgin Islands, as a three-part race series got under way on Sunday at Brewers Bay.

Erin McNaught was competing in her first stand-up paddling race and had no problem winning the Women’s Open Division.   

The St. John resident usually stand-up paddles on a windsurfing board, because she doesn’t own a SUP board, at Maho Bay where she works.

“I just came over for the weekend and thought it would be fun,” Ms. McNaught said.

She enjoys the sport because it is good exercise. Despite the wind, she found the Brewers Bay course enjoyable and challenging.

She recommends that people try it and then they will get hooked on the activity.

“It’s pretty awesome,” she said. “We go out at Maho and you can see the turtles and fish. …I can’t imagine not doing it in this beautiful water.”

Organisers Adam Cole and Andy Morrell hosted Sunday’s SUP event at Brewers Bay. Mr. Morrell said the event is the first in a series of SUP races that he plans to host.  The last event the organisers hosted was in June.

There were several racing formats and divisions including a kid’s race, and open event and relay races. The course was contained to Brewers Bay, with competitors during one or two laps.

“It’s been fun,” Mr. Morrell said. “It has been tricky today, because there is a little bit of wind.”

Mr. Cole would win the Elite Division followed by Mr. Morrell, while Andrew Thompson took third.

“I am bone tired after doing two laps,” Mr. Morrell said.

Co-organiser Mr. Cole was happy with the turnout and estimated about 40 people participated in the event. A lot of Sunday’s participants had competed in the June event, but said the returning paddlers are a good sign for the growing sport, he added.

“I think there is an interest for the sport,” Mr. Cole said. “The good thing about it, is the people who came today don’t even own equipment.”

The SUP race attracted several athletes from St. John, but the St. Thomas participants couldn’t make it, which contributed to the smaller turnout, according to Mr. Cole. During the Malibu Cup in May about 10 participants made the trip from St. Thomas.

The co-organiser said other events taking place on Tortola also hampered the participation.

“The word is getting out there,” Mr. Cole said. “It is easy, a lot of fun and a lot of fitness benefits to it. I think that is really why people are getting involved.”

Organisers plan to hold at least two more races early next year. The location could change from Brewers Bay to possibly Beef Island or Frenchmans Cay.

And the “big one” — the Malibu SUP Cup — will be in May, according to Mr. Morrell.  The Highland Spring HIHO event in July will also feature SUP for the third consecutive year, which will offer a $4,000 prize for the winner. “We are expecting some strong paddlers for that,” Mr. Morrell said.