First, Hunter repeat in South Paddleboard Race at Hermosa Beach Pier
by Kevin Cody After months of cold, snotty water, the ocean was welcoming to paddlers participating in the Sixth Annual South Bay Paddle on Saturday, June 8. The temperature was still an ice cream headachy 60 degrees, but the water was smooth as glass. The result was record times in both the men’s and women’s divisions, and a record 73, of the 103 paddlers, completing the 15 mile course in under three hours. Photos by JP Cordero [ngg src=”galleries” ids=”2924″ display=”masonry” ngg_triggers_display=”always”]The South Bay Paddle starts at the Hermosa Beach pier, goes south four miles to the Palos Verdes Beach Club, then four miles out to sea to the R10 NOAA weather buoy, and then back to the pier. Max First, of Manhattan Beach, set the course record in 2:17:54. Liz “Queen of the Channel” Hunter, of Oceanside, set a woman’s record of 2:42:18. First is a five time winner, and Hunter a four time winner of the Catalina Classic, a 32 mile race from Catalina Island to the Manhattan Beach pier. The SB Paddle is a qualifier for the Classic, which is held each year on the last Sunday in August. Robert Parucha, First’s former training partner, who now lives in San Diego, was second, two…
Read this story on easyreadernews.com