UPDATE: Check out the full results from the Orange Bowl Paddle Championships

The first big Stand Up Paddle race of the year is almost here: The 2012 Orange Bowl Paddle Championship is happening this Sunday (15th) in Miami.

With $13,000 in cash (split evenly between men and women) plus a whole bunch of other prizes on offer, the event has attracted plenty of elite paddlers and the field is looking extremely competitive.

Defending champ (and SUP racer of the year) Danny Ching returns to chase the $5,000 first place prize. Though he won’t have it all his own way on the water…

10x paddleboard World Champ Jamie Mitchell (fresh from riding stupidly big waves all week) made the trip to Florida along with Quickblade’s Jim Terrell and 3x Olympian Rami Zur. They join other well known paddlers Anthony Vela, Thomas “Maximus” Shahinian and Dan Gavere (to name just a few).

Meanwhile on the women’s side, Helga Goebel will be fighting to retain her title against Candice Appleby (who’s also hosting a Performance Paddling coaching session with Anthony Vela).

For more info on the 2012 Orange Bowl Paddle Championship, take a look at the official Facebook page. And if you want to see full results, pics and vids, check out SUPracer.com after the race.

In the meantime, watch this slick fly-thru of the Elite Course to see where it’s all happening…