Nor Cal Season Opener One Week Away

Northern California's Most Dynamic Paddle Event Welcomes Star Studded Field

Ideal Forecast in Store for

30th Annual Santa Cruz Paddlefest

With the Surfline surf forecast calling for a steadily increasing West Swell and sunny to partly cloudy skies throughout the weekend, event organizers are anticipating a historical 30th Annual Santa Cruz Paddlefest presented by Starboard next weekend. Forcasters are expecting high temperatures to climb up into the low 80's and a West Swell to build from 3' on Friday up to 10' by Sunday morning.

"We couldn't have asked for a better forecast to fit our event schedule," said SCPF event director, Mat Hoff. "The surf should be in the shoulder to head-high range to kick things off Friday morning and steadily build from there."

Aside from the world-class surf venue at Steamer Lane, the Santa Cruz Paddlefest is unique due to the combined surf and race events. There are few events world-wide that feature both disciplines and crown an over-all winner.

"The weather and waves, combined with the outstanding list of competitors should make this year's paddleboard race the best and most competitive to date," commented Duke Brouwer, race director. "The Santa Cruz Paddlefest Paddleboard Race is the first major race of the season in Northern California and really gets things kick started for us up here. With the 10k Long Course and 5k Short Course anyone can participate in this event no matter what their skill level."

" With the 10k Long Course and 5k Short Course anyone can participate in this event no matter what their skill level."

With an all-star field of athletes registered to compete combined with the exceptional surf and weather forecast, expect barriers to be broken and history to be made at next weekends Paddlefest.

ONE'S TO WATCH

Noa Hopper

Mo Freites

Poenaiki Raioha

Bernd Roediger

Giorgio Gomez

Slater Trout

Brandon Rambo

Sean Poynter

Brennan Rose

Dave Boehne

Anthony Vela

Chuck Glynn

Izzi Gomez

Fiona Wylde

Candice Appleby

Lara Claydon

Kalia Alexiou

RACE REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN!

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER!

Click Here to Register

10k Long Course Description

6.2 mile race with short beach run. Long Course division includes both male and female SUP and Prone competitors racing a two lap paddle course with a short beach run in between laps 1 and 2 and a final beach sprint to the finish.

Lap one takes competitors from the beach in front of the Dream inn out around the Santa Cruz Wharf to the Santa Cruz Harbor and back. After a short beach run, racers will hit the water again headed for a course marker set just off of Steamer lane's "Middle Peak" then back to the Santa Cruz Harbor, and back around the Santa Cruz Wharf to the beach for a short beach sprint to the finish.

5k Short Course Description

3.1 mile race with short beach run to the finish. Short Course division includes both male and female SUP and Prone competitors racing a one lap paddle course with a short beach sprint to the finish.

Short Course takes competitors from the beach in front of the Dream inn out around the Santa Cruz Wharf to the Santa Cruz Harbor and back. After a short beach run, racers will finish under the arch on the beach behind the Dream inn.

EVENT SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, MARCH 17th

5:00pm - Mandatory Check-In ( Adventure Sports Unlimited)

6:30pm - Competitors Dinner (Adventure Sports Unlimited)

7:15pm - Mandatory Safety Meeting (Adventure Sports Unlimited)

FRIDAY, MARCH 18th

6:00am - Volunteer check-in (Steamer Lane)

7:20am - Heats Start (Steamer Lane)

8:00am - Expo opens (Steamer Lane)

5:00pm - Expo closes (Steamer Lane)

5:00pm - Happy Hour After Party ( Olitas on the Wharf)

SATURDAY, MARCH 19th

6:00am - Volunteer check-in (Steamer Lane & Cowells Beach)

7:00am - Paddleboard Race check-in/regitration opens (Cowells Beach)

7:20am - Heats Start (Steamer Lane)

8:00am - Expo opens (Steamer Lane & Cowells Beach)

8:00am - Paddleboard Race & Cowells Surf Contest Safety Meeting (Cowells Beach)

9:00am - Paddleboard Race start (Cowells Beach)

11:00am - OC1 & Surf Ski Race Start (Cowells Beach)

11:00am - Heats Start (Cowells/Indicators)

1:00pm - Race Expo Closes (Cowells Beach)

5:00pm - Expo Closes (Steamer Lane)

7:00pm - Paddleboard/OC1 Race Awards ( Pono Hawaiian Grill)

SUNDAY, MARCH 20th

7:20am - Heats Start (Steamer Lane)

8:00am - Expo opens (Steamer Lane)

12:00pm - Heats start (Cowells/Indicators)

3:00pm - Expo closes (Steamer Lane)

4:00pm - Santa Cruz Paddlest Awards Ceremony (Steamer Lane)

For complete event schedule click DETAILED EVENT SCHEDULE

30th ANNUAL SANTA CRUZ PADDLEFEST