Sandy Springs will host its inaugural stand-up paddleboard race on Saturday, August 15, sending competitors on a six-mile out-and-back course through Bull Sluice Lake and the Chattahoochee River starting at 7 a.m.
The Sandy Springs SUP Showdown, announced Tuesday, July 15 by the city, is a partnership between Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks and Murph's Surf, the paddle shack that operates out of Morgan Falls Overlook Park. Registration costs $75, and the deadline to sign up is Wednesday, August 12, at SandySpringsGa.gov/events.
The city described the course as featuring "dynamic river conditions that test endurance, strategy, and on-water skills." Registration is open regardless of residency, and the city's announcement invited paddlers from across the Southeast.
Adaptive paddle sports support
Catalyst Sports, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that runs adaptive kayaking programs at Morgan Falls Overlook Park, will provide adaptive paddle sports support for the event. The organization uses specialized equipment and trained volunteers to make paddling accessible to people with physical disabilities, including spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, vision impairments, and amputations.
Eric Gray, founder of Catalyst Sports, described the organization's mission as making "kayaking accessible for anyone with any physical disability" when the program launched in a 2022 Fox 5 Atlanta report. Catalyst Sports already runs regular adaptive kayaking sessions at Morgan Falls on the second Saturday and fourth Thursday of each month from June through October, charging $10 per session.
The venue
The race launches from Morgan Falls Overlook Park, a 30-acre park at 200 Morgan Falls Rd. alongside Bull Sluice Lake, where Murph's Surf operates kayak and paddleboard rentals for all experience levels.
The city said the SUP Showdown aims to establish a new annual tradition for paddle sports and introduce more residents to outdoor recreation along the Chattahoochee.
No details on competitive divisions, age categories, or prizes have been announced.
