· afarer Team · Community · 1 min read
afarer Sponsors Great Lake SUP Challenge 2026 —Lake Michigan Crossing
The annual 22-mile Lake Michigan SUP crossing returns with afarer as title sponsor, featuring a new recreational division for touring boards.
Paddle Across the Lake
afarer is proud to announce its title sponsorship of the 2026 Great Lake SUP Challenge, an annual 22-mile crossing of Lake Michigan from Frankfort to Ludington.
This year’s event introduces a Recreational Touring Division for paddlers on boards 12 ft and longer —A category purpose-built for the afarer SUP Tour 12. The division is designed to make the crossing accessible to distance paddlers who may not own elite racing boards.
The event takes place August 15-16, 2026, with safety briefings on Friday and the crossing beginning at sunrise Saturday. Support vessels, safety boats, and medical personnel will accompany paddlers across the route.
“We are thrilled to support the SUP community at this scale,” said the afarer events team. “The Great Lake SUP Challenge represents everything we love about the sport —Endurance, camaraderie, and a deep connection to our waterways.”
Registration opens June 15 at greatlakesupchallenge.com. afarer will offer demo boards and a product village at the start line.
