CAMDEN — The second annual Lobster SUP CUP paddleboard race kicks off in Camden and Rockport this weekend. Co-founders Thor Emory and Mark Benjamin expect a solid group of competitors from all over New England and as far away as Hawaii and British Columbia. The event is bringing a new wave of young, athletic visitors to Midcoast Maine.

The race — a veterans’ benefit — is for paddlers, but is also intended to include the whole Midcoast Community. Here is a guide for spectators:

Thursday Evening: The SUP CUP kicks off with Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Zambon appearing at the Camden Yacht Club to give a talk about resilience. It is a topic he knows a lot about: 18 months after he lost both legs in Afghanistan, Zambon climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. He is now a highly competitive swimmer. The talk, sponsored by Pen Bay Health Care, and in support of the Lobster Sup Cup’s benefit organization, Operation Rebound, will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Aug. 7, and it is open to the public.

Opening Party: The kick-off party is open to the public and will be held in Camden Harbor at Wayfarer Marine (59 Sea St. Camden) on Friday evening.

Registration for the weekend races begins at 3 p.m., and the party will go on through early evening. Andrew’s Brewing has donated beer, and Fox on the Run will be churning out Lobster treats thanks to generous donations from Calendar Islands Maine Lobster, Cape Seafood, and Luke’s Lobster. There will also be a DJ, thanks to “Dispatch” magazine. Purchase a spectator’s wristband for $15 and enjoy the food and refreshments. Or just hang out. There will also be a paddleboard relay race just for fun. Oh, and got bagpipes.

Saturday Racing: The real racing begins Saturday morning at 10:15 a.m. when racers will begin a 10-mile ocean loop starting from the outskirts of Camden Harbor.

A big fleet of boards means that for safety’s sake, the race will begin out by Curtis Island. It might be cool to watch that from a boat, if you have access to one. The fastest racers will complete the 10-mile course in about 90 minutes. Feel free to come to Wayfarer to see the racers come in to the finish line near the public landing at Wayfarer.

Sunday Racing: On Sunday the SUP CUP moves to Rockport Harbor. Kids are invited to come and bring their boards and do a short race at 9:30 in the harbor. A short recreational race starts at 10:15. The 10-mile distance race will start at 10:45.

Come hang out in the harbor and watch it all.

For more information, check out the website or visit Facebook.