Honolua Surf Co. to sponsor Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
Kyle Daniels : photo Paddleboard.com
Manhattan Beach, Ca-
The 32nd annual Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race returns to Manhattan Beach
August 26th with a new premier sponsor, a record number of participants,
and fond memories of the late co-founder and champion of the race.
The world’s most historic paddleboard race will host a record 99 paddlers as
they make the 32 mile crossing of the channel from the Isthmus, Catalina to
the Manhattan Beach Pier. Riding paddleboards between lengths of 12 and 18
feet, these watermen will use only their arms to propel themselves across
one of the busiest and deepest channels in North America.
Race organizer and
current Catalina Classic Champion, Kyle Daniels, is thrilled about the
growing interest in the Catalina Classic, “The number of participants and
request to be part of the race has been overwhelming but exciting. The sport
of paddleboard racing is a unique and challenging sport that has some
incredible history as a key component of the modern surf culture as we know
it.”
The Catalina Classic originated in 1955 when Bob Hogan along with Greg Noll,
Ricky Grigg, Tommy Zahn and other surf pioneers decided to race their
paddleboards from Catalina to the mainland.
Since the 50’s, the race has seen some of the world’s greatest watermen including Dale Velzy, Micky Munoz, Miki Dora, Laird Hamilton, Buzzy Kerbox, Jaimie Mitchell, the current Catalina Classic champion Kyle Daniels, and the late Weldon “Gibby” Gibson. Gibby was a founding father of the Catalina Classic and was involved in every race including the 2007 Classic until he passed away on August 9th. Gibby’s spirit and vision will forever be remembered and memorialized through this race.
This years race will
see the new generation of paddlers cross the channel. At the front of the
pack we’ll see a rematch between Los Angeles County Lifeguard Kyle Daniels
and visiting Australian paddleboard star Jaimie Mitchell. Kyle’s convincing
win over Mitchell in 2006 will surely spark Jaimie’s competitive edge and
could possible set the tone for record finishing times in this year’s race.
Leading men’s surf lifestyle brand Honolua Surf Co. has come on to support
the race for 2007 and is looking to help carry on the tradition and growth
of the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race. Honolua Surf Co celebrates the
lifestyle of the waterman. Honolua Surf co. is focused on the person who
has built a life centered on the ocean and all it has to offer.
The 2007 Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race will begin promptly at 6:00am
August 26th at the Isthmus on Catalina. The top finishers will arrive at
Manhattan Beach Pier roughly around 5 hours later, followed by the back of
the pack taking up to 9 hours to complete the grueling 32 mile paddleboard
marathon.
About the Catalina Classic
The Catalina Classic Paddleboard race was officially started in 1955 by Los
Angeles County Lifeguard Bob Hogan. The fist Catalina crossing was
actually paddled in 1932 and was won by legendary waterman Tom Blake,
beating out Pete Peterson and Wally Burton in just under 6 hours. The
Catalina Classic paddleboard race starts at the Isthmus on Catalina Island
and travels 32 miles across one the Pacific’s deepest and busiest channels
and finishes at the Historic Manhattan Beach Pier.
The paddlers will paddle boards between 12 and 19 feet long, using only their hands to propel them through the water. Swells, currents, and winds conditions play into what is notoriously one of the most grueling endurance events in the world. Legendary watermen such as Ricky Grigg, Mike Bright, Tom Zahn, Gregg Noll, Bob Hogan, Kemp Aaberg, Mike Doyle, George Downing, Joe Quigg, Mikey Munoz, Mike Eaton, Buzzy Kerbox, and Laird Hamilton have helped make the Catalina Classic paddleboard race the premier and most historical paddleboard race in the world.
www.Honoluasurf.com
www.Catalinaclassic.org