The Chesapeake Bay Paddle brought kayak enthusiasts from far and wide to Kent Island, Md., July 26, when solo competitors and teams raced across the waves in various events and vessels.

Chris Hopkins, the founder of Bay Paddle, hosted 296 paddlers of kayaks, stand-up paddlers, OC1s (outrigger canoe 1) and 22 OC6 (outrigger canoe 6) teams. The race supports the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the Chesapeake Conservancy and Waterkeepers Chesapeake. More than $500,000 has been raised since the event started in 2020, drawing paddlers from all over the East Coast, California, Puerto Rico and more. 

Lewes paddlers have been a part of the Bay Paddle since the beginning. Hopkins appreciates the contributions the Lewes paddlers have made, like Merrill Johnson and David Schofield.

“New Hope Canoe Club helped us establish the change-out races with David’s experience from Hawaii," Hopkins said. "They have fielded teams in the OC6 race [and] trained other paddlers and escort boat captains on technique and safety."

Merrill Johnson

Johnson started paddling competitively in 2021. After winning the Chesapeake Bay Paddle in 2022, he has trained every year to win it again. At the 2026 event, he completed the 35-mile paddle around Kent Island in 6:13:36.10.

Paddling his whole life and in different areas, he said his favorite place to paddle by far is out of Canalfront Park in Lewes.

“I can go to Rehoboth, I can go to Milton, I can make a 10-mile loop through the Great Marsh. I can also go to the inlet, across the bay and then through the ocean," he said.

Traveling a long distance in a kayak is not easy. Depending on the day, the currents and winds can make the journey difficult. At the Chesapeake Bay Paddle, Johnson said it was difficult to navigate around the island. Paddlers cannot hug the coast because it does not resemble a straight line and the horizon is not visible. He strategically used the bridge to draw the straightest line he could, traveling northbound on the western side of the island in a clockwise direction. The wind was helpful July 26, allowing him to use the tailwind to push him for the longest section – the southern to northern tip.

The Chesapeake Bay Paddle is the only race in which Johnson competes. The annual event is his favorite because it challenges him.

“This one is epic, because it is so long that makes you wonder, ‘Can I do this?’” he said.

Racing comes with its advantages, such as paddling among dolphins, turtles, skates and even whales. Johnson has seen more than 500 dolphins this year during his paddles around Sussex County. When he was 30 miles into the race, skates surrounded him and motivated him to finish the competition.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Johnson retired to Lewes after raising his family in Kensington, Md., and owning a home inspection business. Across many summers, his family vacationed in Lewes with another family and he fell in love with the area. Besides paddling, Johnson also enjoys social and competitive road and trail cycle rides with The Lewes Group.

Now 68 years old, Johnson is training with an end goal in mind: to win a 70-plus national championship. His training consists of paddles between two and five hours, accompanied by high-intensity cardio. Until then, he will continue to cycle and paddle, along with taking a cross-country motorcycle trip to San Francisco and back.

David Schofield

David Schofield, 61, coaches and organizes the New Hope Canoe Ministry Team Atlantic, a faith-based Hawaiian outrigger canoe club in Lewes and Rehoboth. The group organizes recreational and competitive paddles for participants of all skill levels and backgrounds. Schofield has been the head coach of the program for four years, with 17 years of paddling experience under his belt.

The New Hope Canoe Club Ministry Atlantic serves the community through outreach with Children’s Beach House, beach cleanups, Little League sponsorship at Canalfront Park and local service projects with partner churches. Members also help communities recover after disasters in partnership with the Crossing Church.

Two teams from the organization competed in Chesapeake Bay Paddle 10-mile OC6 race, placing first and second out of 12 teams. In an OC6 change race, an escort boat will follow each canoe and drop four competitors in the water every 30 minutes, and those four will climb onto the boat. This allows teammates to get interval breaks without stopping.

Schofield was also asked to coach a 10-person crew from an outrigger club called KAOS based out of Charlotte, N.C. For eight of the 10 paddlers, it was their first time completing a change race. They finished the 35-mile race in 5:12:00, with 10 total changes of crew along the course. Schofield was there to call out the change of sequences and give tips on paddle strokes, while communicating with the escort boat captain to make sure paddlers were safe during the changes. 

“For me to coach a team where most of the people have never done it before is a great feeling," he said. "Doing something like that takes a lot of nerve, and sometimes it can be full of anxiety and fear, and at the same time a lot of adrenaline. You can never sleep the night before, and it's just full of raw energy. To see the joy on people’s faces is really a treat for me.”

Christel Garrett, 56, of New Hope Canoe Club, filled in for the OC6 35-mile team relay 24 hours before the race, originally thinking she was doing the 10-mile paddle.

“There are very few things when you get to my age that give you the butterflies in your stomach, and this is one of them," she said. "This is a super fun but challenging event.” 

To learn more about New Hope Canoe Club Ministry, go to newhopeatlantic.org.