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Paddle power: Lake Dillon Challenge at Frisco Bay Marina welcomes rowers, kayakers and SUPers

Sebastian Foltz
sfoltz@summitdaily.com
Summit Daily/Sebastian Foltz
Sebastian Foltz/ sfoltz@summitdaily.com |

Dillon Challenge Schedule at Frisco Bay Marina

Saturday, Aug. 3

5-7 p.m.: In-person registration; burger and beer discounts at the Island Grill

Sunday, Aug. 4

6-7 a.m.: Day-of registration

7:00 a.m.: Skippers’ meeting; required for all captains and/or coxswains

7:15 a.m.: First rowing race start

8:15 a.m.: First kayaking/paddleboarding start

Rowers, kayakers, canoers and paddleboarders will take to the water at Frisco Bay Marina early Sunday for the fifth annual Lake Dillon Challenge.

While the Frisco Rowing Club is playing host, and rowing races are one of the focuses, this is an all-paddle, all-the-time sporting event.

“It’s a lot of fun, there’s all kinds of craft that are muscle powered,” said rowing club president Joanne Stolen.



Rowers will race in individually timed head races, as will kayakers and canoers.

The stand-up paddleboard race will be a group race with a single start. All categories will have a 2.5- or 6-mile course option.



Stolen, along with Frisco Bay Marina officials, expects the paddleboarding portion of the event to be much larger than in years past.

“It’s going to be much bigger because the Colorado SUP (stand-up paddleboard) Association made it a part of their official race series,” she said.

The increased number of paddleboarders is also a credit to Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee lifting restrictions earlier in the year. Paddlboarders are no longer required to wear wetsuits when paddling on Dillon.

Phil Hofer, marina manager, said he’s already seen a dramatic increase in the number of paddleboarders on the resevoir this summer. Because of the rule change, the marina started renting paddleboards earlier this year.

“It’s been a good addition to our rental fleet,” he said.

Also starting this weekend, Stand Up Paddle Colorado is offering SUP lessons and tours at Frisco Bay Marina.

The Dillon Challenge gets underway Sunday morning at 7 a.m. Stolen expects races to be done around 10 a.m. On-site registration will be available from 5-7 p.m. at the marina the night before, with discounts for competitors at the Island Grill. Day-of registration will also be open Sunday morning, before 7 a.m.

“This has been a good event for us, we’re happy to host them,” Hofer said.


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