FAQ

Everything from parking to restaurants to what to do with your board. If it isn’t here, ask us on Facebook and we’ll add it here.

Equipment

Do I have to wear a leash? Only required for Graveyard Elite race. Is required by Wrightsville beach law. You can be ticketed if you don’t have one for the ocean race. We recommend it for other races.
Do I have to wear a PFD? You have to have a PFD on your person or on your board for all races. You can be ticketed if you don’t have one.
Which classes of board get money prizes? 12’6” women’s 14’ Men’s elite race
I need a leash/board/fin/pfd. Where can I get one? Carolina PaddleBoard Co on Airlie Road (until they run out!).

Logistics

May I bring my dog on the beach? No. Dogs are not allowed on Wrightsville Beach.
May I have alcohol on the beach? No. There is no alcohol allowed on Wrightsville Beach.
Where can I park? A: Anywhere but Blockade Runner Parking Lot unless you are staying there. Park in marked parking spaces on the beach only, or you will get towed.
Do I have to pay to park? A: Yes. You have to pay from 9am- 6pm all days. You can do park by phone to pay for all day parking without feeding the meter. Directions are on the parking meters. Learn more about parking here.
Where can I put my board? You can put your board in the Blockade Runner board storage room overnight if you are staying at the hotel. Race day, bring your board to the sound-side beach if you are doing Harbor Island or Money Island Races. Bring your board to beach side if you are doing Elite Race. Please keep your equipment tidy and compact and remove your board back to your car as soon as you are finished racing.
Can I leave my board on my car all night? If you are staying at Blockade Runner, your board should be fine. If you aren’t, we would recommend taking the board off the car. We do not assume any liability for anyone’s boards and neither does the Blockade Runner. If you are staying elsewhere in town we recommend using locking steel-core straps.
Where can I get food? Lunch will be served race day on the Blockade Runner event lawn at about 2:00 pm. You can also purchase food from the Blockade Runner. There are also several restaurants and a grocery store in the “Main Drag” of Wrightsville beach, a couple of blocks north of the Blockade Runner. There are also grocery stores and restaurants in Mayfaire, Landfall, and The Forum, shopping centers near Wrightsville Beach. You can also learn more about area restaurants, shops, etc. on the Distressed Mullet Wrightsville Beach Local Page.

Registration

Click Here to Register Online

Can I register on the day of the race? No.
Do we have to pay for the kids’ race? Yes.
Can I register on Friday? Yes, from 12-7 at Blockade Runner. Cash or check only. $25 extra fee for late registration. Also, you might not get a t-shirt or goody bag.
Can I check in on Saturday morning? Late check ins only for pre-registered people from 7am-8am on Saturday morning. If you check in after 8am, you will not get a timing chip.
Can I change my board class? Yes. You can change your board class ONCE on Friday during check in or on Saturday from 7-8am. We will do our best to ensure accurate timing for people who have changed their board class.
Can I change which race I’m doing? Yes. You can change your race ONCE during check in on Friday from 12-7 at Blockade Runner or Saturday from 7-8 am. If you change your race after 8am, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of your results.

Races

Where does the Graveyard Relay handoff occur? At the Blockade Runner sound side beach. Relay racers will use the same board but can use their own paddles.
How long are the races? Harbor Island: 3.5 miles, Money Island: 6.5 miles, Graveyard: 13 miles
Where are the race meetings? There will be a mandatory pre-race meeting at 7pm at the Blockade Runner Ocean Side lawn. Racers must make every effort to attend this meeting. Brief race meetings the morning of the race are at the starting point for each race. Harbor Island (rec) and Money Island (Open) will meet at the Sound Side beach. Graveyard (elite) will meet on the ocean side.

Which way do the races go around the islands? The race course direction will be set on Friday or on Saturday morning depending on the winds. That is why you need to go to the race meeting.
What is the tide doing for the races? The tide is coming in until 11:49 am.