By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist

scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com

Stand-up paddleboarding:  it’s one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in the U.S.  Paddleboarders enjoy racing, touring, practicing yoga, fishing, diving, and performing fitness workouts.  And on June 19th, they’ll compete in their own Poker Run at the Blazing Mako Tournament & Festival at the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada.

Like motorcyclists and powerboaters who regularly visit the Keys for Poker Runs, paddleboarders will make five stops along a three-mile route between Upper Matecumbe and Windley Keys– including the Islander– picking up a playing card at each stop.  The game is 5-Card Stud, and whoever ends up with the best hand wins.  Prizes include an Image Surfer Paddleboard from Adventure Water Sports and EcoRox waterproof Blue Tooth speakers.  The event is sponsored by Islander Watersports and Salt Water Brewery.

Poker Run participants will enjoy an after-party on the beach at the Islander complete with live music and tastings at the Rum Village featuring Black Coral, Papa’s Pilar, Tiburon Rum, and Bahama Blue and more.

You can pre-register HERE for $30. Registration fee is $40 at the event.  Check in at the Islander Water Sports booth on the beach at 9 a.m. on June 19th; the race starts at 10 a.m.  Bring your own paddleboard or rent one from Islander Watersports.  For more information, call 800-513-5257.

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Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/.  For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing and powerboat racing.  She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women’s world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.

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