This Sunday, Sept. 12 is the second annual Round the Rock paddle surfing race. The event last year drew in hundreds of paddlers and interested people to check out the sport, which is rapidly gaining popularity in the Pacific Northwest.

This year to accommodate the larger event (organizers Jeff Underwood and Dan Eberhardt have said they expect as many as 300 people to attend) it has been moved from the Island to Seward Park, just across the lake.

The 13-mile course goes around Mercer Island (heading south first). Later in the afternoon there will be a kids fun race (a free event) followed by the 2.5-mile race. This year, for the first time, an elite division will feature cash prizes, with winner potentially getting $1,000 for the men’s races and $500 for the women. Because of the increased popularity, my guess is these elite races are going to be exciting!

The SUP expo will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park. It features free demo’s, music, food and raffle prizes which will benefits Children’s Hospital and the Surfrider Foundation.

Here’s a look at the schedule for the day:

7:00 AM Check-in for the 13 mile race begins

8:30 AM Mandatory racers meeting for 13 mile race

8:50 AM Hawaiian blessing

9:00 AM 13 mile race start

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM SUP Expo and SUP demos open to the public

12:00 PM 19th Annual International Paddle Out for Clean Water (Traditional Water Circle)

1:00 PM Free Kids Fun Race

1:15 PM Check-in deadline for 2-1/2 mile race

1:30 PM Mandatory racers meeting for the 2-1/2 mile race

2:00 PM 2-1/2 mile Race

4:00 PM Award and prize ceremony

Last year’s event was a ton of fun, lots of great things going on, and I know this year it will be bigger and better.

For more information check out the Northwest Paddle Surfers site (Jeff and Dave run the Round the Rock race) and check out the blog of Beau Whitehead (who won the event last year) for more on paddle surfing.