Participants in a previous Miami Paddle Challenge.

Registration opened Wednesday, Aug. 15, for the 14^th annual Miami Paddle Challenge, which raises money for research and patient services provided by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of South Florida.

Setting out from Matheson Hammock Park on Sept. 29, the event will bring legions of kayakers, surfskiers, standup paddleboarders, outriggers, canoeists and even dragon boaters racing for glory and a good cause.  If you can paddle it, you’re invited to join.

With distances between 3, 6 and 12 miles, the event will bring out South Florida’s competitive paddlers along with recreational paddlers looking to achieve gold, silver or bronze in their divisions, or just be content with achieving their personal best.

Dr. William Muinos, founder of this oldest paddling event in the area, welcomes a new co-Presenting Event Sponsor this year, Save Our Matheson Hammock Park, along with the medical staff at Miami Children’s Hospital, which has sponsored this charity event for over a decade.

Folks who are not quite ready to race will have the opportunity to rent kayaks or paddleboards and take a self-guided tour of the Coral Gables canals and mangrove waterways off Matheson Hammock Park. Families are welcome to cheer on the participants and enjoy the music and fun activities especially suited for kids.

Food and event T-shirts will be available with registration fees or a donation to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  More than 200 participants and spectators are expected to attend this year’s event, scheduled form 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29, at Matheson Hammock Park, 9610 Old Cutler Rd.

The Miami Paddle Challenge is the area’s premier paddling event that draws a great outpouring of South Florida support, both in terms of dollars, enthusiasm, and passion, for putting each stroke forward in finding the cure for cystic fibrosis.  To register and for more information visit www.MiamiPaddleChallenge.com