When the surf is flat in the South Bay, which is most of the summer because Palos Verdes and Catalina Island block the south swells, local surfers dust off their paddleboards to train for races that are held just about every weekend. The number of competitors has grown significantly in recent years with the explosion in popularity of stand-up paddling.
Hennessey Return to the Pier, Monday, May 27
The race season starts with Hennessey’s Return to the Pier, a 3.5 mile race from the Hermosa Pier to the Manhattan Pier and back. In previous years the race was held on the Friday evening of Memorial Day Weekend. But evening wind swells often made it difficult just to paddle out to the start at the end of the Hermosa Pier. Last year, conditions were so rough that the race was canceled. This year, the race will be held in hopefully calmer conditions, on Memorial Day morning, starting at 8 a.m. The day will include a lifeguard sprint race around the Hermosa pier, followed by an awards party at Hennessey’s Tavern on Pier Plaza. HennesseysPaddleboarding.com
Hobie/Hennessey’s U.S. Championships, Saturday June 1
The Hobie/Hennessey’s U.S. Championships aren’t actually in the South Bay but attract large numbers of South Bay prone and stand-up paddlers. It’s a World Paddle Association event, with a fun course (3 miles) and a pro course (between 7 and 9 miles, depending on board size) in Dana Point. (www.hennesseyspaddleboarding.com).
Riviera Mexican Grill R-10 Race, Saturday June 1
The Riviera Mexican Grill R-10 race is an in and out race from Torrance Beach to the R-10 buoy off Rocky Point. 8 a.m. Registration is $45 and begins at 6:30 a.m. The event is open to paddleboards, SUPs, and surfboards (boards under 10-foot-6). There are shorter courses for kids less serious paddlers, too.
Rock2Rock, Sunday, June 16
The R-10 race is a good training for the Father’s Day Rock2Rock, which begins at the Catalina Isthmus and ends at Cabrillo Beach. The 22.17 mile downwinder is open to both individual competitors and relay teams. Rock2Rock is a qualifier for the Catalina Classic in August.
South Bay Dozen, Saturday, July 6
The South Bay Dozen at Torrance Beach is organized by lifeguards Mike and Brian Murphy and sponsored by Hennessey’s Taverns and the Jimmy Miller Foundation. The family-friendly event includes paddleboard, surfski, outrigger, swim and running races. Points are accumulated for each event participated in, making for a full day of sports, swimming, and community. (HennesseysPaddleboarding.com).
Velzy-Stevenss Pier to Pier Paddleboard Championships, Sunday August 4
The Velzy-Stevens race, named after paddleboard builder Dal Velzy and champion paddler Terry Stevens, is part of the International Surf Festival. The race starts at the Manhattan Beach Pier and tracks south to the Hermosa Beach Pier. It’s family-friendly, with parents and kids paddling tandem and others riding all sorts of boards. (www.SurfFestival.org)
Catalina Classic, Sunday August 25
The Catalina Classic is the oldest (established 1955) and longest (32 miles) organized paddleboard race in the world. Legendary watermen Greg Noll, George Downing, Rick Gregg and Tom Zahn were among the 13 paddlers who competed in the first race. It continues to be the most prestigious prone paddleboad race in the world, attracting paddlers from all over the world. (catalinaclassicpaddleboardrace.org)
Hennessey Paddleboard World Championships, Saturday, September 21
The Hennessey Paddleboard World Championships wraps up the paddling season. In past years, the race has been held in Australia, Hawaii, San Francisco, Cabo San Lucas, and Hermosa Beach, where it all started. This year’s location was not determined at press time. (www.hennesseyspaddleboarding.com).
Resources
For a full list of paddling competitions, visit EatonSurf.com/events.
Stand up paddleboard lessons and rentals are available in Hermosa Beach at Spyder Surf (Spydersurf.com), Tarsan Stand-up Paddling (TarsanStandup.com) and Pier Surf; in Manhattan Beach at Nikau Kai (NikauKai.com); in Redondo Beach at Dive N’ Surf (DiveNSurf.com); and in Torrance at Olympus Board Shop (OlympusBoardshop.net).
Paddling, Polynesian style
Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club in King Harbor trains half a dozen men and women teams, ranging in experience from novices to world champions. Danny Ching, son of founder/coach Al Ching, won the 2013 Molokai Solo (single outrigger) race in April.
People who have never paddled are encouraged to come out and compete in novice races. Visiting paddlers are also welcome. Novice practices are Monday and Wednesday evenings for women and Tuesday and Thursday for men. The practices begin at 5:30 p.m. and continue until dark. Weekend practices are scheduled at various times. Lanakila.com.
