We are excited for another Santa Cruz Paddlefest hosted at the iconic Steamer Lane. F-One International team members Josh Riccio and Poenaiki Raioha accompanied by USA teammates will attend this year’s event on March 28-31.
Santa Cruz Paddlefest
March 28-31, 2019
We are excited for another Santa Cruz Paddlefest hosted at the iconic Steamer Lane. F-One International team members Josh Riccio and Poenaiki Raioha currently competing in the Sunset Beach Pro and just off his win in Gran Canaria accompanied by USA teammates will attend this year’s event on March 28-31. Surf, Race, Paddle Clinics and more, if you are an avid west coast paddle surfer or SUP racer you do not want to miss this action. Registration links and official press release information below. We look forward to seeing you in Santa Cruz at the end of next month.
Come join the planets longest running paddle surfing competition as we notch our 33rd year on March 28th to 31st 2019! The Santa Cruz Paddlefest (SCPF) hosts elite level kayak surfing and SUP surfing at the legendary break, Steamer Lane, and an intermediate category at the friendlier Cowells beach. Additionally, a race along the Iconic Santa Cruz Boardwalk is set for Saturday which welcomes SUP, surf ski, sea Kayaks, prone boards, and outrigger canoes. With such a variety of events, there is something for everyone at the Santa Cruz Paddlefest!
The star event at The Lane has paddle surfers flocking to Santa Cruz from across the globe to take advantage of one of Santa Cruz’s most fabled breaks. Waves break along West Cliff Drive and can hold sets of double overhead+ size that eventually taper out into a more friendly size range. Steamer Lane is host to Santa Cruz Paddlefest’s elite surfing competition of surf kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and waveskis. Each class competes separately earning points by performing dynamic maneuvers.. Competitors surf through several 4-5 man heats eventually competing in the Finals Sunday afternoon.
Cowells Classic Competition
The Cowells Classic started many years ago as part of SCPF as a friendly surfing competition. Located at the tail end of The Lane paddle surfers are able to score long waves without the intense competition scene held at the Lane. Cowells is promoted within our event as an intermediate class of surf paddlers.
SC Paddlefest Race Day 2018
RACE.
10k Long Course Description
The Long Course is a 6.2 mile race that launches off of Cowells Beach. The Long Course division includes both male and female SUP, Prone, OC1 , Ski, and Kayak competitors racing a two lap paddle course 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 the first lap, racers will hit the water again headed for a course marker set just off the Wharf, then head off to Santa Cruz Harbor, back to the buoy set just off of Steamer lane, and then to the beach for a short beach sprint to the finish.
*Outriggers, kayaks, and surf skis have a water start.
5k Short Course Description
The short course is a 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 sprint up the beach to the finish.
The Short Course takes competitors from the beach in front of the Dream Inn 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.
NEW THIS YEAR! 2k Kids Race
We are excited to announce that we are bringing a race especially for the groms who are 16 and under. Bolting out to the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf, racers will complete two laps in the protected waters of Cowells Beach. All the while competing in their own stand alone race before the mass start of the rest of the pack.
