12th Annual Cape Cod Bay Challenge Set to Take Place Later This Month

DUXBURY – The Cape Cod Bay Challenge, the oldest and most recognized stand up paddle event in the northeast, returns for its 12^th year later this month to benefit Christopher’s Haven, a home for kids when cancer hits home.

An estimated 50 people are set to partake in the 28 mile paddleboarding marathon beginning at Scusset Beach in Sagamore or Nantasket Beach and ending at Duxbury Beach, weather permitting.

Although many are expected to take to the waters and paddleboard, the event is not a race, “What is fantastic about this group of humans is that it’s not a race, there is now winner,” said Family Service Manager for Christopher’s Have Catie MacWilliams.

“They all wait, so throughout the miles that they’re on the water they wait for each other so they are constantly in this group, this tribe getting to Duxbury beach.”

100 percent of the proceeds from the event will benefit Christopher’s Haven.

Opened in 2006, Christopher’s Haven is a charitable organization with a mission to operate a supportive community consisting of ten temporary apartments and a community recreation area for families of children being treated for cancer in nearby Boston hospitals.

Christopher’s Haven holds the distinction of being the only organization of its kind that offers an apartment setting for the entire family, specific programs and activities for children undergoing outpatient treatment, as well as programs for siblings and parents.

While the Bay Challenge event is fun for everyone, the paddlers never lose sight of who they are paddling for.

“A lot of the paddlers say you know ‘when I’m on the water and I feel like I’m tired or I feel like I can’t do this I think about those kids and I think about what they overcome and what the families overcome’ and it gives them that push,” MacWilliams continued.   

After the paddlers land on Duxbury Beach, there will be a celebration and fundraiser at Blakeman’s restaurant, adjacent to the beach, which will go on throughout the evening.

Food and beverages will be served and the event will feature raffles, a silent auction, and live music by reggae band, the Elovators.

The Cape Cod Bay Challenge is set to take place Saturday, July 27^th from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the celebration at Blakeman’s restaurant taking place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the live music beginning at 7 p.m.   

Paddle registration, ticket information, and pricing can be found at ChristophersHaven.org.