About the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race on Catalina Island

EVENT NAME: Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
DESCRIPTION: 32 mile, cross-channel race
FIRST HELD: 1955
FOUNDER: Bob Hogan, Los Angeles Lifeguard
MONTH HELD: August
COURSE: Catalina Island to the south side of Manhattan Beach
PRESENTED BY: Catalina Classic Paddleboard Association
LOCATION: Southern California

The Catalina Classic Paddleboard race is a race across the channel between the Catalina island Isthmus and the city of Manhattan Beach for paddlers on boards from 12 to 19 feet. Paddlers must use onlly their hands to propel them through the water. The fastest crossing time first race in 1955 was about 8.5 hours and the crossing time unlimited class race record set in 1999 was about 5 hours.

Editions

EDITION: 41st Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
DATE: August 25, 2019 (Sunday)
START LINE: Isthmus Cove, Catalina island
FINISH LINE: Manhatten Beach Pier, Southern California Mainland
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EDITION: 40th Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
DATE: August 26, 2018
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
PRESENTED BY: Bark Paddleboards

2008 - 2017 (race held continuously?)

EDITION: 2007 Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
DATE: August 26, 2007
Adventure Sports Network "2008 Catalina Classic Race" Article

EDITION: 2006 Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
DATE: August 2006
Argonaut "2006 Catalina Classic Race" Article

EDITION: 1992 Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
ALSO KNOWN AS: 1992 LA Sound Catalina Classic Paddleboard Marathon
YEAR: 1992
NUMBER OF COMPETITORS: 38
LA Times "1992 Catalina Classic Race" Article

1983 - 1991 (race was held continouously)

1982
Catalina Classic was resurrected in 1982 as the "Catalina Classic 32 mile Paddleboard Marathon". The race has been held consecutively since 1982

1962
The biggest promoter of the race, Cliff Webster died in 1962 and the city of Manhattan Beach decided to abandon the race.

(cancelled in 1961 due to rough and dangerous ocean)

EDITION: 5th Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
YEAR: 1960

(cancelled in 1959 due to pier construction)

EDITION: 4th Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
YEAR: 1958

EDITION: 3rd Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
YEAR: 1957

EDITION: 2nd Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
YEAR: 1956

EDITION: Inaugural Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
YEAR: 1955
FROM THE OFFICIAL EVENT WEBE SITE: "In 1955 Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce leaders Cliff Webster, Bob Jean, Paul Garber, Bob Rueben, Lee Cave, Hal Newell, Bob Smith, and Bud Caldwell, to name a few, joined forces with L A County Lifeguard and Manhattan Beach resident Bob Hogan. Together they created and conducted the Manhattan Beach International Paddleboard Race. The 32-mile marathon would start at Isthmus Cove on Catalina Island and finish on the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier".

Resources

Catalina Classic Web Site
The official Web site of the Catalina Classic paddleboarding race is at "catalina classic dot com". Main sections of the site include History, Race Information, Race Results, Latest News, and Gallery.

Articles About the Catalina Classic
- History of the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race
- Race Records of the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race

Social Media Sites of the Catalina Classic
- Facebook "Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race" Page
- Twitter "Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race" Feed

Other Paddling Events on Catalina

All Events on Catalina Island

Catalina Island Travel Guide

California for Visitors