Racing Through the Heat: My Weekend at the Lowcountry Paddle Fest
Lessons from three days of racing, friendships, and pushing limits in Hilton Head
A Festival of Paddling
From September 5th through the 7th, Hilton Head, South Carolina hosted the Lowcountry Paddle Fest, three days filled with fun, competition, and community. This event happens every year and is organized by Dr. John Batson and his wife Alice Batson. Paddlers came from all over the country to take part in sprint races, distance challenges, and technical beach events.
Day one kicked off with high-intensity sprints. Day two brought out the endurance athletes with 5K and 10K races, while day three closed with a technical race on the beach. Competitors spanned all ages — from open class (under 50) to masters (50–65) and even grand masters, with winners crowned in every division. A lot of participants raced all three days. One brand dominated the weekend: Flying Fish Board Company out of Stuart, Florida.
Variety on the Water
The 10K showcased more than just stand-up paddleboards. Surf skis and outrigger canoes joined the field, giving the race a dynamic mix of craft and skill. Drone footage captured the spectacle from above, and all races are available to watch on the Outside Foundation’s YouTube channel.
My Results
For me, it was a rewarding and grueling weekend. I placed first in sprints, first in technicals, and took third place in the 10K. The South Carolina humidity was no joke. Temperatures were brutal, and many racers battled nausea, dizziness, and heat exhaustion. The weather pushed everyone to their limits, myself included. You’d think that living in Florida would make me more acclimated to the heat and humidity, but this weekend had an extra challenge — no wind at all to cool us down. The still, heavy air made every stroke feel harder and every mile longer.
A Tradition of Paddling
John and Alice Batson have been running the Lowcountry Paddle Fest since 2018. Last year, this race was the site of the USA SUP Nationals. This year, the race was just one of the regional SUP races as nationals was held elsewhere. We hope that USA SUP brings the nationals back to this location.
USA SUP, a nonprofit that promotes stand-up paddling across the country, continues to connect paddlers regionally. Their website is a great resource for following races, events, and updates in the sport.
More Than a Race
Beyond the water, Paddle Fest was about community. The weekend began with a welcoming reception featuring local craft beer and food. It closed with a low country boil — shrimp, crawfish, potatoes, and sausage — a true taste of South Carolina tradition.
Between heats and meals, there was time to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and make memories that stretch far beyond the finish line. This sense of community is one of the reasons I love arranging my vacations around races.
What’s Next
My next challenge? Last Paddler Standing in Lake Placid, Florida this December — a 48-hour nonstop race where the last competitor remaining wins. It’s as much a mental test as it is physical, and I can’t wait to see how far I can push myself.
Resources for New Paddlers
If you’re inspired to step onto a board, Paddle Guru is the place to start. It’s the hub for signing up for races nationwide and even some worldwide, and it keeps track of your stats so you can follow your progress season after season.
Inspired to Move?
Book a paddle lesson with me and start your own journey on the water. Yes, anyone can jump on a board, grab a paddle, and go, but if you want to get the most out of your time on the water, having great technique goes a long way and I have been teaching paddle boarding since 2019. Paddle boarding is a full body workout and you can get in superb shape if you commit your time and energy into the sport, plus it is super fun.
If you’re looking to build new habits and healthier routines, grab a copy of my book: Get Healthy or Get Dead — available as both a book and a workbook, on Kindle, and as an audiobook. Learn more about my book here.