Paddleboard relay challenges Marines in Commander’s Cup Challenge

Photo By Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera | Cpl. Markecia Polk, an administrative specialist with Alpha Company, paddles through the water concluding her leg of a half mile paddle board relay for the Commander’s Cup Challenge, held by Headquarters and Support Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, at the Gottschalk Marina, July 24.The Commander’s Cup Challenge is a yearly event beginning each July which pits the Marines of the battalion against each other in monthly bouts.  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

07.31.2014

Story by Cpl. Jackeline Perez Rivera  

Marine Corps Installations East       

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Representatives of each company within Headquarters Support Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune gathered at the Gottschalk Marina for the first round of the newest Commander’s Cup Challenge, July 24.

The Commander’s Cup Challenge, a yearly event beginning each July, pits the Marines of the battalion against each other in monthly bouts, each victory bringing them closer to bragging rights and a trophy. A paddleboard relay was the troop’s first venture into this year’s series of challenges.

Alpha Company started strong in the first relay taking the lead followed closely by Security Company. During the second relay Security Company snatched the lead and held it the rest of the match, winning with a time of 50 minutes and 12 seconds.

“It feels good to win,” said Cpl. Christopher Adams, an East Liverpool, Ohio, native and military police officer with Security Company, who has only paddle boarded once before.

Alpha Company followed Security with 56:12. India Company took third place with 57:00 and Bravo Company fell behind with 58:39.

“It was fun,” said Cpl. Markecia Polk, a Aberdeen, Miss., native and administrative specialist with Alpha Company. “It was something I’ve never done before.”

Paddle boarding was challenging, Polk added. It was a tiring, full-body exercise that required powerful strokes through the water.

“It’s very different exercise that requires skill and balance,” said Lt. Col. Harry Gardner, a Woodbridge , Va., native and the commanding officer of HQSPT Bn. “Many Marines have never done it.”

It took some time for newcomers to adjust to the sport, but they took to it quickly, Gardner added.

“It was an opportunity for Marines to try something new,” said Sgt. Maj. Toshia Sundermier, the sergeant major of HQSPT Bn., and Spokane, Wash., native. “I think they had a blast. The Commander’s Cup Challenge helps build spirit de corps and camaraderie.” A kayak soccer game is scheduled as next month’s challenge.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2014
• Date Posted: 07.31.2014 16:14
• Story ID: 137887
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US