The Penobscot Passage

Honoring the Brave

52 Miles. One Mission.

The Penobscot Passage – August 23, 2025

Bangor, Maine

Tides, currents, and wind will test every stroke.

We paddle for Beyond The Brotherhood, helping Navy SEALs and other special operations veterans find purpose after service.

Are you ready to paddle with purpose?

52 Miles. Tides. Currents. Wind.

It’s going to hurt — on purpose.

The Penobscot Passage is Maine’s ultimate open-water endurance challenge: a 52-mile, unsupported loop starting and finishing in Bangor, Maine. It’s a race that tests strength, skill, and mental fortitude… all in the name of a mission bigger than the race itself.

We paddle for Beyond The Brotherhood, a nonprofit helping Navy SEALs and other special operations veterans find purpose after service.

The Mission

When the race ends, the real journey begins.

For many veterans, returning to civilian life after years of elite military service is a challenge few can truly understand. Beyond The Brotherhood provides community, mentorship, and support for these warriors as they navigate that transition.

By racing — or by supporting someone who does — you’re helping fund programs that give Special Operations veterans the tools, guidance, and purpose they need to thrive in their next chapter.

The Challenge

This is not your typical paddle race.

It’s a full-scale battle against nature — and yourself.

● Distance: ~52 miles

● Course: An open-water loop down the Penobscot River, around Verona Island, and back

● Conditions: Strong tidal currents, shifting winds, open-water swells, blazing sun, and the constant pull of fatigue

● Format: Unsupported — it’s you, your craft, and your resolve

The south side of Verona is where the river meets open water. Here, the wind can whip up whitecaps and the tide can turn the current into a wall. This is where the race strips you down to pure determination.

Scenery That Pushes and Inspires

Along the route, racers will pass some of the most iconic and wild stretches of the Penobscot:

● The Penobscot Narrows Bridge – an engineering marvel towering over the water

● Fort Knox – a granite sentinel from Maine’s military past

● Working Lobster Boats – a nod to the state’s maritime heritage

● Wild Shoreline – bald eagles, harbor seals, and ospreys overhead

● Riverside Villages – where locals cheer from docks and bridges

It’s punishingly beautiful — a course that takes as much as it gives.

Race Day Details

● Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025

● Start & Finish: Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, Bangor, Maine

● Registration: $50 by Aug 16 / $75 after

● Beneficiary: Beyond The Brotherhood

Race Categories & Start Times

● Paddleboard (SUP) – 6:00 AM

● Solo Paddle – Any paddle-powered craft, solo, unsupported – 8:00 AM

● Coed Team Paddle – Mixed-gender, multiple paddlers, unsupported – 9:00 AM

● Team Relay – Switch paddlers at will – 10:00 AM

● Wind-Powered – Wing, foil, or sail <22 ft – 11:00 AM

● Short Course - 4.2 miles – 12:00 PM

Prizes & Bragging Rights

● Fastest Solo Paddler: $500

● Fastest Coed Team: $500

● And if you paddleboard the entire 52 miles? Expect more than just applause… there may be a special prize in your future.

Why Join?

● For the Grit: Few races test both body and mind like this one.

● For the Cause: Your entry fee directly supports veterans’ transition programs.

● For the Experience: The Penobscot River is as raw and authentic as it gets.

● For the Community: Racers, volunteers, and supporters come together for a shared mission.

Not Racing? You Can Still Make an Impact

● Volunteer: Be part of the race-day crew keeping paddlers safe and supported

● Donate: Directly fund Beyond The Brotherhood’s mission

● Sponsor: Showcase your business while standing behind an incredible cause

● Cheer: Line the waterfront and fuel racers with your energy

Ready to Paddle With Purpose?

Whether you’re an elite endurance racer, a weekend warrior with something to prove, or someone who just wants to stand behind our veterans, there’s a place for you in the Penobscot Passage.