What started as a way to bring neighbors together during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into one of Ocean City’s most unique community events.
The Great OC Lagoon Race returns this summer on Saturday, July 18, for the seventh year in a row. This event welcomes participants of all ages for a day of friendly competition and fun on the water.
This year, in addition to events in paddleboarding and kayaking, there will also be a swimming event. All races will start in the Venetian Lagoon and do a loop around the 17th Street island.
Organizer Tim Campbell first launched this event in the summer of 2020 after Ocean City’s annual Night in Venice celebration was canceled due to the pandemic.
“I got thinking about it because I live on the bay and Night in Venice had been canceled due to COVID,” Campbell said. “I figured let’s organize a community event to bring the community and the island together. I just wanted it to be a fun thing.”
Campbell said the idea to do something fun like this for the community had been in the back of his mind for years, but 2020 gave him the push to finally make it happen.
“I had always been thinking about doing something like it, but that year really inspired me to get it off the ground because I saw a need for it,” he said.
Since then, the event has continued to grow each year. Last year’s paddleboard race attracted more than 50 participants, and Campbell is hoping to welcome more than 100 people across all three races this year.
The newest addition, the swimming event, was a natural next step for Campbell.
“It just seemed kind of natural to add it in for the day, to keep the event growing,” he said. “I always wanted to add a third event, and swimming seemed like a good one.”
The event begins at 11 a.m from the 18th Street bulkhead and follows a one-loop course around the 17th Street island. The paddleboard race will kick off first, followed by the kayak race and then the swimming event last.
In order to ensure safety for all participants, members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol will be on-site throughout the day.
While it’s called a race, Campbell said the day is designed for everyone, regardless of age or experience.
“It’s ‘a race,’ but it’s really just for fun. It’s not hardcore,” Campbell said. “We’ve had 5 and 6-year-olds doing it, and last year we had a participant named Jeff who was 82 that did the paddleboard race. It’s truly an event and a race for everyone to join in on.”
Participants can also look forward to gift bags, prizes and trophies, thanks to donations from local businesses, including gift cards, T-shirts and other items.
This year, Campbell is also asking participants to make a contribution to John Kauterman, a local hero who spends countless hours cleaning trash and debris from the back bays and marshes all around South Jersey.
“He seemed like a great person to help since he’s helping keep our bays beautiful and clean,” Campbell said. “We’re donating any proceeds we get to him.”
While a fun competitive energy is definitely felt each year, the whole emphasis on this event is about much more than crossing any finish lines.
“I just have a love for the island, I’ve been coming down here my whole life,” Campbell said. “We have these beautiful lagoons, and there’s nothing really ever organized that highlights them. Obviously, Night in Venice is super fun, but this is something where even if you don’t have a house on the bay, you can come join in, have some fun for a couple hours and splash in the water.”
He hopes the event continues to strengthen the community while creating lasting memories for everyone who participates.
“I think it’s a good community builder, and in a world full of negativity, I like to try and bring good vibes, smiles and positivity to the area,” Campbell said.
As race day approaches, Campbell is most excited to see how participants embrace the new swimming event and to once again see neighbors come together on the water.
“I’m excited to see how big the turnout is and to see how the swim event goes,” he said. “It’s always fun to have it, regardless of the turnout. The people who show up will have a good time.”
His message for anyone thinking about signing up is simple: “Be ready to show up and have a good time. Regardless of where you finish, you’re going to have fun and be a winner.”
All ages and experience levels are welcome to sign up and compete at this year’s event on July 18. You can sign up and be a part of the fun at https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/OceanCity/GreatOCLagoonRace.
