✨🌊 THE GREAT SUP SHOWDOWN IS COMING TO GIG HARBOR!

Festival Vibes, Live Music, & High-Stakes Racing at Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard

ARE YOU READY, PIERCE COUNTY?! 🌊🎶

Rumor on the docks is true…history is about to make serious waves right in our historic bay, and registration is OFFICIALLY OPEN! The 2026 USA SUP National Championships are heading to Gig Harbor from September 18-20, 2026. This is the biggest, splashiest event in American paddleboarding and it is taking over our harbor for a full-blown weekend festival – and Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard is right at the epicenter of the excitement! New friends from all over the country will be here in our waters – let’s show them the Gig Harbor hospitality!

This isn’t just a race; it’s a floating carnival for water lovers, speed demons, and weekend revelers alike. Expect electrifying athletic drama paired with pure waterfront spectacle:

• LIVE BANDS & SALTY BEATS: Rock out along the shoreline while elite paddlers slice through the water for glory.

• FRONT-ROW SPECTATING: Grab a spot on the dock, feel the sea spray, and cheer on the country’s finest.

• THE MARINA HUB: Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard provides the quintessential maritime backdrop to soak in the energy, admire the fleet, and dive headfirst into the festivities!

Whether you’re looking for a quick dash or an all-out endurance test, we’ve got a line-up ready for you.
Personally, I’ll be lined up for the 100m race (much more my speed and less of a chance of my arms turning to jelly!!). But if you’re a true beast on the board, sign up to conquer the 5k or the 10k. Keep your eyes peeled and stay tuned for the technical races!

“Their tireless dedication and endless hours of hard work behind the scenes are shaping this up to be a stellar, world-class experience for athletes and spectators alike.”

— USA SUP, honoring Race Directors Kristin Thomas & Tod Cole and the National Champs Race Committee

As the beating heart of historic downtown’s waterfront, Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard is your ultimate basecamp for this legendary weekend.

• Sailing in for the Show? Reserve your guest mooring early to secure a VIP front-row berth on the bay before slips vanish like mist over the Sound!

• Craving a Stay on the Water? Wake up to the sound of lapping waves and live music in our boutique waterfront accommodations – just steps from the action. Contact Dani to see what our VRBO status is!

• Paddling in the Race? Take advantage of our central harbor positioning, effortless launch access, and top-tier marina amenities to get race-ready.

Whether you’re paddling for national glory on a sleek carbon board, taking your inflatable out for the 5K Rec race, or bringing the crew to soak up the sun, tunes, and salty air, this is the undisputed event of the season.

👉 Athletes: Head over to USASUP.org right now to claim your spot on the starting line before categories sell out!

👉 Spectators & Boaters: Reach out to Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard today to lock in your guest slip or boutique stay – and secure your front-row seat to history in the making!

So, dust off your boards, inflate those SUPs, double-check your life vests, and stretch out those shoulders! Whether you end up standing tall on the podium or doing an accidental cannonball into the harbor, this September weekend is going to be one for the storybooks.

See you on the docks,

Carie

Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard

Brought to you by USA SUP in partnership with GH Canoe & Kayak Racing Team, The Narrows Challenge, City of Gig Harbor, Visit Gig Harbor, Deadmans Island Kayak+SUP, and Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard.
Photo Cred: isasurf.org