we Released the Kraken!
2026 Winners
Men’s nrt champs: JOSE SALAZAR & rAFAEL a. cOUTINHO
Men’s B champs: BRENDAN PATERNOSTER & RYAN CARR
Men’s B2 champs: PETER WHITE & MICHAEL JENKS
Women’s a champs: BRETT DAVIS & CHARLOTTE TANSILL
wOMEN’S B CHAMPS: JEN STAHL & CAROLINE FEROLETO
2026 Photos: Sun setting on kraken 2026 after a day of Capacity draws (256 PLAYERS) and competitve matches pond-side under the watchful eyes of the KRAKEN
2026 Men's nrt CHAMPs: (L-R) SALAZAR & COUTINHO FINALISTs: PEJIC & qUINTANA
2026 MENS b FINALISTS (l-r): PINTO & CONTOLEON CHAMPs: pATERNOSTER & cARR
2026 men’s b2 FINALISTS (L-R): LYON & LYON CHAMPS: WHITE & JENKS
2026 WOMENS B FINALISTS (L-R): GEHRMANN & GILBERT CHAMPS: STAHL & FEROLETO
2026 WOMEN’S A CHAMPS (L-R):TANSILL & DAVIS FINALISTS: WITHERBEE & WOOD
Release The Kraken!
Our
Sponsors
Thanks to our loyal sponsors for making the Wilton Open the longest-running annual charity paddle tournament in the country -- and to our knowledge, the largest one-day, co-ed paddle event on the planet. Now in our 41st year, the Wilton Open celebrates our great game, sportsmanship, the broader paddle community, Kraken fortitude and St. Patrick's Day. Net proceeds directly benefit the Riverbrook Regional YMCA’s Annual Campaign and the Wilton Y Paddle Fund.
Wilton Open sponsors in 2026 include Wilton Physical Therapy, Nod Hill Brewery, Aventine Hill Importers, the Vital Stretch, and Xenon Paddle.
Our host The Riverbrook Regional Y is an APTA member club. We thank the APTA for their management of the Wilton Open Men’s Open/A NRT event in 2026.
If you would like to become a Tournament Sponsor, please contact Beth Kohl - bkohl827@gmail.com
Paddle with Purpose
Wilton Open supports:
Riverbrook Regional YMCA’s Annual Campaign
Proceeds from the Wilton Open directly benefit the Riverbrook Regional YMCA’s Annual Campaign. The Annual Campaign provides crucial finacial aid and scholarships to children and families in the communities of Norwalk, Wilton and Redding. These funds support campers, free swim lessons, and families who could not afford the Y without this generosity and much more.
Wilton Y Paddle Fund
Funds from the Wilton Open directly benefit the improvement and maintenance of the Wilton Y paddle courts and hut. A longstanding iconic paddle community serving all players in the Tri- State area, our five courts host women's and men's leagues year round as well as social events for Y paddle members. On most weekends and many weeknights, our paddle members are gathering for matches and community. Your support helps make this facility first class, every day.
If you would like to make a donation to either the Wilton Y or the Y paddle fund please contact Beth Kohl - bkohl827@gmail.com
Gordyland Summer Camp Counselors at the Y paddle hut
The Kraken — Modern Mythology
The story of the Wilton Open's beloved mascot -- the Kraken -- finds its origins at our 2010 annual event. A powerful nor'easter with 70 mph winds & producing 10+ inches of rain descended on the Wilton Y and partner clubs that memorable Saturday. Incredibly, of the sold out 32-team field, only one tandem cancelled their participation, all others persevering in nearly unplayable conditions and demonstrating fearless commitment to the sport and tournament. The intrepid spectators and finalists braving the elements recall during the championship match (APTA national champions Albrikes & Fried prevailed) witnessing an enormous, eight-limbed, menacing creature emerge from the adjacent Y pond. The playful Kraken appeared to be paying its respects to the participants' valiant spirit -- an esprit de corps the Wilton Open has fostered for 39 years and celebrates to this day.
The Wilton Open Committee honors the Kraken in a myriad of ways including the awarding of Kraken Rum and medallions to all finalists, serving up charred kraken at our annual BBQ lunch, providing krakenized player gifts to all participants, etc. In 2019, we released a look-alike cephalopod to celebrate its first tournament appearance (below).
Location
Riverbrook Regional Y
(formerly Wilton YMCA)
404 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897
Phone: (203) 762-8384 Ext. 286
Email: PaddleKraken@gmail.com
“Below the thunders of the upper deep,
Far, far beneath in the abysmal sea,
His ancient, dreamless, uninvaded sleep
The Kraken sleepeth: faintest sunlights flee
About his shadowy sides; above him swell
Huge sponges of millennial growth and height;
And far away into the sickly light,
From many a wondrous grot and secret cell
Unnumbered and enormous polypi
Winnow with giant arms the slumbering green.
There hath he lain for ages, and will lie
Battening upon huge sea worms in his sleep,
Until the latter fire shall heat the deep;
Then once by man and angels to be seen,
In roaring he shall rise and on the surface die.”