The Great OC Lagoon Race is back for its sixth year on Saturday, Aug. 9.
The race was created in 2020, when Ocean City’s Night in Venice parade was canceled due to COVID-19. One couple, who lived on the Carnival Lagoon, knew the island still needed an event to keep that sense of community that the annual boat parade instills.
Tim and Kate Campbell started the event that now has two races — one for kayakers and another for paddleboarders — to bring that togetherness back to the island during the pandemic.
The event is the same as it is each year, except for the location. In years past, it started at between 16th and 17th streets, at the Carnival Lagoon, which is part of the Great Egg Harbor Bay. This year, it’ll be one lagoon over — at the Venetian Lagoon — located between 17th and 18th streets, where the Campbells now live.
As an avid water sports enthusiast, along with running three separate Ocean City-related social media groups on Facebook and Instagram, it was an easy decision, Tim Campbell said in a 2024 interview with Shore Local. While brainstorming one night in 2020, he thought to himself, “What if I could organize a community type event that would still get people out and having fun for a little bit?”
The Great OC Lagoon Race was originally only a paddleboard race, but then Tim added kayaking to the mix.
The event starts with the paddleboard race at 11 a.m. in the 18th Street (Venetian) lagoon. The kayak race will follow at 11:30 a.m.
Participants launch off of the bulkhead at the end of 18th Street and complete one loop around the 17th Street island.
Tim described the area where the race takes place as almost like two lakes that were built with a tunnel that connects them. In the past, attendees have brought their long racing boards for the paddleboard race. This year, he is requesting that those participating don’t do that, as it gives them an unfair advantage.
“It’s just for fun, nothing too serious. Some people do take it seriously, but the majority of people are just out there to bring the community together, have some fun and some laughs,” Tim said in the 2024 interview.
Dozens turn out for the races, and its attendance has been growing a little bit each year. Last year, about 25 paddleboarders and 30 kayakers showed up.
Before the races, the Campbells host a little fanfare. Music will be playing out of a loudspeaker, and Kate will be the emcee to get attendees excited.
When the races conclude, everyone will end up hanging out at the Campbells’ dock again, where trophies and gift cards from local businesses will be given out.
There are five trophies, presented to the fastest female and male paddleboarders and single kayakers, respectively, and one for a tandem kayaking team.
Now that Night in Venice is back, the Campbells usually plan their event to be within a week or two of the boat parade. As for the future of the race, Tim is hoping to add a swimming event and is thinking about the possibility of making it a fundraiser eventually.
The event is for all ages and open to both single and double kayakers, with all levels of experience.
The Great OC Lagoon Race is completely free, and there’s no registration beforehand. Tim said to just show up 10 minutes before the race if you wish to partake.
