MARION — Although the Poker Paddle wasn’t a race to the finish, The Vigeant sisters competed against each as they paddled out from Island Wharf in Marion.

“You’re toast,” said Mackenzie to Sophie from her kayak. Sophie steadily gained balance on her paddle board.

“I’m going to try to make it all the way,” said Sophie. Past competitor and mom Sherry also participated in the paddle with a paddle board. 

“We are feeling ambitious,” Sherry added.

Nineteen paddlers participated in the Sippican Lands Trust second annual Poker Paddle Fundraiser on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

According to Sippican Lands Trust past president Alan Harris, competitors paddled to five locations around Sippican Harbor, where they would collect a playing card from each spot. By the end, whoever had the best poker hand would win a cash prize.

Harris said that he designed the Poker Paddle route to showcase open space locations protected by the Sippican Lands Trust, including lesser-seen properties such as marshes. 

“The full moon makes this even cooler since the tide is higher,” added Harris. 

Competitors stopped at five locations: Moore-Tabor Conservation Restriction, Gravel Island, Upper Hammet’s Cove, the Marion Golf Course Conservation Restriction, and the mouth of Blankinship Cove.

Volunteers signaled their location to competitors at each of the five stops with a waving orange flag. They handed out playing cards to each paddler with a long pole.

Harris said that he was happy to see interest in the event  grow from the five paddlers that participated in the first Poker Paddle last year. 

According to Harris, the event raised approximately $1,000 for the Sippican Lands Trust. 

The winner of the poker paddle was Nancy Rolli with her hand of three sevens. Kathleen Durkee was the runner up and Michelle Sampson came in third. Heidi Baker won the most spirited award.