Hi Everyone!  Due to circumstances caused Hurricane Irma we have decided to postpone the Tybee Kayak Race until 2018.  Many thanks for all those who have contacted us and planned to attend.  We will post the new date and information before year's end 2017.  Please continue to watch our blog and of course visit and support The Tybee Island Marine Science Center.  Thanks so much for your understanding.

Hi Everyone, we are super excited to offer the Tybee Race for October 21.  We are working on getting thecorrect times published for each race and all the forms up to date.  Please email info@seakayakgeorgia.com or call Sea Kayak Georgia at 912 786 8732 for information. The tides are going to be awesome for the event.  Please come out and support the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.  This race is all about TIMSC and raising funds to keep up all their amazing efforts.

2017 Tybee Kayak Races

YAHOO!!!!! Marsha Henson and Ronnie Kemp of Sea Kayak Georgia will be the race coordinators for the 18th Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races to benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Tentative date is Saturday, October 21, 2017.

More to come soon - just wanted to post the news. Please pass the word. And thank you, Marsha and Ronnie!!!!

Happy New Year to All!!!!!

Dear Racers, Sponsors, Volunteers, and Supporters,

After much deliberation, we have decided that the Tybee Kayak Race will not take place this year. 

I am sorry for the cancellation, but we have realized that we cannot pull it off. The reason is this year’s perfect storm of a particularly busy season for staff at the Marine Science Center and too many personal family and other issues for me.

In fact, those personal issues for me mean I will probably not continue as race director in the future. It’s been a good run and lots of fun!!!! I am very appreciative and happy about the Tybee Kayak Races’ place in the Tybee community.

This long-term race has benefitted the Tybee Island Marine Science Center for 17 years and for the past dozen years contributed an annual average of $10,000+ to the Center!!! 

Thank you so much to all of you. Events like this cannot happen without LOTS of engagement by the community – kayakers, businesses and individuals sponsoring, volunteers, and general support. You have all been amazing in your participation and dedication to this event!!!! We hope you will continue your support of the Marine Science Center.

Thank you also to the SEP (SouthEast Paddlesports) Series. I am so happy for their support of paddlesports and good causes. There are lots of other great races so check those out at http://www.sepseries.org. I wish you all happy paddling.

Regarding the future of the Tybee Kayak Race, we will see what next year brings. 

As with everything in life, stay tuned .  . . . 

Again, thank you all. And sorry for the cancellation–it was a hard decision.

All my best to all of you, see you on the water,

Debbie Kearney

Sorry for the Delay Updating Our Site

It's been a wonderfully crazy busy start of the season here on Tybee Island, so we're a bit behind on updating this site. Please be patient with us just a little bit longer.

Congratulations to all the Racers!!

Race results are posted. Congratulations and thank you to all the race participants!! We appreciate your determination in the face of storms. Hooray for all of you!!! Some even said the weather was better without the sun's blazing heat. Thankfully, no lightning!!! You made it another successful Tybee Kayak Race and helped raise approximately $10,000 for the Tybee Island Marine Science Center!!!

Thank you to all our wonderful sponsors and volunteers, too!! Obviously, this is a team effort and could not happen without everyone's enthusiasm and dedication.

Please support our sponsors who are supporting us for the kayak races and the Marine Science Center.

Now, on to the next race in the Southeast Paddlesports Series - Saturday, September 26, Port Royal Paddle Battle. Start and finish at Parris Island Boat Landing, Port Royal, SC. Check-in opens at 8, race start is 10 a.m. Go to www.prpaddlebattle.com for more info. Proceeds benefit the Port Royal Sound Foundation.

Again, thanks to everyone. Hope to see you at next year's Tybee race, set for Sept. 17, 2016.

Race Day less than a week away!!!

Race day is less than a week away! Racers who haven't signed up yet - now's the time. And please recruit your friends, too. It's going to be another fun year of good camaraderie and fun competition! And for a good cause - the Tybee Island Marine Science Center!!!
www.tybeemarinescience.org

And thank you to all our wonderful sponsors!!! Please see our Sponsors page and check out all those businesses that are supporting us. Let's give them our support, too.

See you on Race Day!!!

Three weeks to Race Day

Three weeks and it will finally be here!!!! Race Day!!! Lots of you have signed up. Thank you. I know there are lots more of you out there that still need to sign up. Lots of people inquiring, sponsors getting on board, racers in training - it's exciting. And the Tybee Island Marine Science Center is as busy as ever with late summer visitors and gearing up for school programs.

So join us for the races - it's fun and supports the Tybee Island Marine Science Center (www.tybeemarinescience.org for more info).

Please let me know if you have questions.

4th Annual Paddle Bender

4th Annual Paddle Bender, May 30, 2015 at Dreher Island State Park, Prosperity, South Carolina to benefit the Carolina Wildlife Center. This is a beautiful park and the race is coordinated by great folks. It will be LOTS of fun for a good cause. Go to http://www.paddlebender.org/ for more info and to register!!!! This is another great SEP Series event http://www.sepseries.org/

SouthEast Paddlesports Series

Kayak Trader Challenge Paddle Race at Lake Lanier, GA on April 25 kicks off the SouthEast Paddlesports Series for 2015. We are proud to be part of the Series, too. Please support the Lake Lanier Race and all the SEP Series races. Go to http://www.sepseries.org/ for more info on the Series and to https://paddleguru.com/races/2015KayakTraderChallenge for more info on the Kayak Trader Challenge Paddle Race . It will be great fun - GO FOR IT!!!!!!

2015 race

Wow, it's already February 2015! Are you out there paddling and getting ready for the 2015 races at Tybee and all the other wonderful places the SEP Series supports?

The 17th Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races to benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center will be September 12, 2015. Hope you'll put it on your calendar.

Coming soon: Updated information on race specifics for this year and online registration.

12th Annual PaddleFest at Hunting Island State Park

The next race in the Southeast Paddlesport Series is on November 1, 2014 at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina. What a beautiful setting for this great event!! And like the Tybee races, it's a fun challenge for a worthy cause.

The 12th Annual PaddleFest

Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina

Saturday, November 1, 2014

to benefit Friends of Hunting Island

·  Race will begin at 12:00 pm

·  Open to all levels of ability, many categories included

·  3 and 6 mile course options which take you into Fripp Inlet and past Russ Point and back in the 6 miler and just under the Pedestrian Bridge and back in the 3 miler

·  Awards will be given for both 3 mile and 6 mile overall winners and category winners.

·  Raffle prizes from sponsors to be given out after the event

·  Earn points toward the SoutheastPaddle Sport Championship Series

·  All net proceeds will benefit Friends of Hunting Island  which is dedicated to helping the park enhance the unique natural wonders and educational opportunities that exist on the island and is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt, non-profit organization.

Registration & more info at www.paddlefestsc.org

Thanks to Everyone for a Great Race!

What a great day! Thanks to each of you for making this a fun, safe, and successful event.

I have finally roused from my after-race stupor and race results are posted.
Congratulations to each of the racers! I hope you will come back next year. And bring a friend.

Looking ahead to the tides, the 2015 races are likely to be this same second weekend of the month, but we'll coordinate with the SEP Series and let you know.

Again, thanks to racers, volunteers and sponsors for making this event possible.
Happy paddling to all!

Races Tomorrow!!!!!

It's looking like it's going to be a great day tomorrow!!!

A few of you have called to ask about race day registration. Just to clarify: YES. You can register during sign-in tomorrow from 9 - 9:45 a.m. So it's not too late to come on out and enjoy this fun event.

Look forward to seeing everyone in the morning.
Thanks for all the support.

We're close!!!

Race Day is just a few days away!!!!
Thank you to all the racers already signed up. And thank you to all the volunteers willing to help. And thank you to all of our sponsors.
This fun event would not be possible without all of you.

Two week countdown

It's less than two weeks to the Tybee Kayak Races!!!!
We hope it's on your calendar. Participate by racing or volunteering!!! Or just come on down to A-J's. It's all fun!
September 7 marks the end of the early registration $10 discount so get those registrations in. You can register on-line or by downloading the paper form and mailing it in.

Please check out our many wonderful sponsors and please support their businesses. As you scroll through the list you will see that there are links to each business with a web site. This is an important fundraiser for the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and we are very appreciative of all the sponsorships. Thank you thank you thank you.

Only 5 weeks to Race Day!!!!

Five weeks to Race Day!!!!!
Lots of activity right now.
Deadline for race sponsorship is August 21 so PLEASE get those sponsorships in now.
The Tybee Kayak Races benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Go to www.tybeemarinescience.org and check out all the Science Center's cool programs and other offerings.

Besides sponsoring, you can contribute by purchasing tickets for the race day drawing for the Perception kayak, Werner paddle, & Astral PFD donated by Half-Moon Outfitters. Tickets are 1 for $5, or 3 for $10. Tickets are available at the Marine Science Center, at Papa's BBQ and Seafood on Whitemarsh Island, and at Half-Moon Outfitters on Broughton St. You do not have to be present to win.

And racers, sign up by Sept. 7 to get the early registration price, $10 less than regular registration. Register on-line or download the registration form and mail it in.
Thanks, everyone. This year is gearing up to be another fun one. Look forward to seeing you.

Paddle Bender Race June 7

Let's support another SouthEast Paddlesports Series race -  Paddle Bender on June 7 at Lake Murray, SC. It's a great event with a beautiful venue and super great folks involved. Go to www.paddlebender.org for more information.

Also please note that this site is finally updated with registration and sponsor forms available as well as on-line registration. Thanks for your patience.

16th Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races

          16th Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races are Saturday, September 13, 2014!!!!

It's going to be another fun year. I'll be updating the web site soon (guess you can tell I'm a little behind :)).

Thanks for everyone's patience.

November 2 Events

PaddleFest 2013 is right around the corner! Saturday, November 2nd, 10:00 a.m. Start Time. Hunting Island State Park - Lagoon - Parking Lot J!

NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION!!! We will only need you to sign your Waiver forms and purchase Raffle tickets for many items donated to this great cause - Friends of Hunting Island!

The 3+ mile race and the 6 mile race start together in the Lagoon at 10:00 AM! The 3+ milers pass under the pedestrian bridge and return to the Start/Finish Line. The 6 mile racers will continue into Fripp Inlet and turn right towards the Fishing Pier - going AROUND the Pier - and continuing under the Highway 21 bridge to Fripp Island towards Russ Point and beyond. There will be a buoy which you must go around and return to the Start/Finish Line.

The fee for each race is $40 Single; $55 Tandem. If you mail in your registration, it must be postmarked by October 19, 2013 to allow us time to process it by Race Day. We are trying to become more automated and are asking you to register as early as possible. You may also go to www.webscorer.com to register online!

And bring $$$ for great raffle prizes, too.

A new race if you are in the Darien, GA area:

Darien Fall Festival Paddle Battle.  Attention all paddlers, at this year’s annual fall festival in Darien, Saturday, November 2^nd, there will be the 1^st Annual Paddle Battle.  Kayakers, canoeists, and paddle boarders will compete to paddle a 2.4 mile course along the Darien River.  The paddle route will begin at the Darien River Bridge and end at Fort King George Historic Site.  It will take participants through some of the most historic and scenic stretches of this river, including Darien’s impressive shrimp fleet.  Prizes will be awarded to winners across various categories including tandem and single.  Applications for registration may be found at Fort King George Historic Site or the McIntosh County YMCA, or can be found online at www.darienfallfest.com.  Pre-registration cost is $15, and race-day registration is $20.   Canoe and kayak rentals will be available to those in need of one. The race begins at 10 am and all participants must meet at Skippers Seafood Restaurant parking lot by 9:30 am.