Why and How We Do What We Do: The Orange Bowl Paddle Championship and other races
KenRussell | January 14, 2014There used to be only one standup paddle event in the world. Now, I bet you could throw your board in your lear jet and go to five different races every weekend all year long. It’s the sign of a growing sport, and that’s a good thing. But where do all these events come from and why? What makes some of them disappear after a year while others have a growing following that builds with time? And how can YOU put on a successful event in your local waters?
My name’s Ken Russell. Along with my business partner, fellow sponsors, and committee members, I’ve been a race organizer for the Orange Bowl Paddle Championship powered by Jimmy Lewis for four years. I’m not a professional event coordinator. I don’t make a dime from the race. I am the US Distributor for Jimmy Lewis paddle boards, but I can’t measure any specific sales increase that comes from spending 6 months putting together this annual event. It’s certainly not in the mandatory job description of a wholesale distributor to run races. So why do we (my collective brethren of race organizers around the world) do this? Maybe it’s the charity. Every race has one. In fact, if you want to go out and paddle this weekend without helping someone, you couldn’t do it. Any race you enter is going to save a dolphin or clean a beach. And that’s a good thing too. Our race this past weekend raised $26,849 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami in one day. That’s after paying all expenses and giving away $13,000 in prize money. That donation is going to help a lot of kids who don’t have role models find a mentor who may impact their lives in a positive way.
Maybe it’s the love of the sport and our desire to see it grow. SUP is exploding all over the world. Nothing makes it explode faster than competitive events where we can whip out our gear and compare it with others. The amount of technology and design and money that’s going into showing up at a race with the shiniest, lightest, pointiest, priciest, pool-float-on-steroids is getting insane! (it’s insane that spell-check just accepted the word “pointiest”). Never mind the fact that the guys on the podium will always be the guys on the podium, even if they ride a two-by-four dragging a bag of cats and use a cooking whisk for a paddle. But gear envy is definitely a big driving force in these races and the sport.
All I know is that I love doing it. I love working with the perfect team of people to run the perfect event that makes people pat you on the back and shake your hand afterward. Of course, it’s never perfect, but that’s when we remind everyone that it’s all for charity. Even so, with sponsorships and prize money on the line, racers expect — nay, racers DEMAND a perfectly run event. And they can do so quite vocally.
SOOooo, if you want to put on a paddleboard event, what do you do? Where do you start? Well, I think we’ve established that you need a charity. Next, you’ll be tempted to come up with a catchy name with a paddle-related pun. But please resist. No one wants to attend the “Paddle Your Ass Off for Autism” or the “5-Mile Board For The Lord Paddle-gasm Unleashed.” (and I’ve trademarked those by the way, so don’t even think about it.)
Oh, and about the charity, pick one that is super legitimate and that everyone can get behind and believe in. Not only will you be able to trust that the wad of cash you hand over will really go toward something good, it’ll open up so many doors with regard to logistics and financing. You may need a permit for your event, but when the city hears that you’re supporting “Vandalism-Is-Art.org,” that permit might take a little longer. Finally, make sure that your charity of choice has a proper 501c3 so that your potential donors can write it off. Despite your benefactors’ benevolent generosity, the tax implications will always loosen or tighten the purse strings.
Finally, I advise you to pitch a big tent. By that I mean, swallow your pride and invite your competitors. If you’re a shop owner, get the other shops. If you’re a brand, invite everyone. Don’t try to own it by keeping it to yourself. Own it by being the host of the biggest thing you can put together with all parties involved. The Orange Bowl Paddle Championship will always be Powered by Jimmy Lewis because we co-founded the event and help coordinate every year. But we are VERY happy to welcome the Mistral Sprint Division and the Imagine Paddle Clinic and the Fanatic tent, and every other brand in the industry. The more the merrier.
I don’t even care if the winners are on Jimmy Lewis boards, although (trivial side-note) Paolo Marconi and Kyle Igneri both won first place on the new Jimmy Lewis 12’6 Stiletto in the men’s Elite Sprints and the 3-mile course respectively. Have you seen that board?! WOW!!! Sorry– shameless plug. I’m an unbiased impartial race organizer. wink wink. There are many other things having to do with how you organize your course, your itinerary for the day, your prize money split, your race timing, your food suppliers, your social media…. are you sure you want to do this? I could go on for pages. All I can say is that the secret is in your team. I’m very very fortunate to be surrounded by a business partner who is incredibly organized and sharp (Garry Menk), a co-founding sponsor who is a very generous and great captain (Jimmy Whited), a charity that is helpful and involved (Big Brothers Big Sisters), a slew of great local riders who are loyal and obsessed (you know who you are), and most of all an organization like the Orange Bowl Committee that brings in their manpower, media connections, fundraising talents, and ability to execute. They are a powerhouse of success for good. If you can find these types of things, your race will be a piece of cake. So Race Directors, Have at it!!
Oh and by the way, I’ve also trademarked the event name “Standup to Obesity: Paddle Off The Fattle,” if only just to protect you from yourself.
www.orangebowlpaddle.com
www.wementor.org
www.jimmylewis.com
Recent Comments