Thousands gathered at the Santa Monica Pier on Saturday, June 12, 2010, to witness and take part the revival of competitive paddleboard racing, a Southern California tradition first made popular in Santa Monica, CA during the 1940s. The race began at 8 am on the sand immediately adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier and featured both a 5.5-mile and 1 mile course leading competitors around the historic pier.

Presented by Honolua Surf Co., the event was a benefit for Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica based non-profit organization dedicated to the health of Southern California’s coastal waters.

“It was fantastic to once again see so many paddlers of all ages taking to the waters around the Santa Monica Pier. After a hiatus of more than 50 years, paddleboard racing has been restored to the pier and we are proud to be a part of that,” said Pat Fraley of Honolua Surf Co.

The event hosted more than 200 paddle contestants, traditional Polynesia outrigger canoes, and a dory boat race featuring area lifeguards rowing sprints through the surf zone. Racers ranged in age from 11 to 73. Spectators cheered the racers and listened to renowned surfers and paddleboarders recount the sports’ rich local histories. The fastest time on the 5.5-mile course was awarded to lifeguard Anthony Vela and the 1 mile course winner was Ryan Kwanten.

Ben Franz-Knight, executive director of the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation said, “The Santa Monica Pier is an icon worldwide. We are thrilled to present exciting entertainment and sporting events that honor our past and bolster our ongoing community engagement activities. We are part of the vibrant fabric of Southern California’s fun in the sun culture and events like this paddleboard race, place us right in the center of that activity.”

“We are fortunate to have received so much support for our mission to support the health of Southern California’s coastal waters and watersheds,” said Natalie Burdick, Heal the Bay’s constituent development manager. “Embracing and celebrating our oceans with events like this helps to get the community interested and involved in keeping our coastal waters safe, clean and healthy.”

Event partners and major sponsors included: Honolua Surf Co., ZJ Boarding House, Positive Existence, Santa Monica Daily Press, Hawaiian Tropic®, LAcarGuy.com, Power Balance, Lemon Moon, Coreban, Surftech, Boardworks Surf, C4, Hovie SUP, Rusty, Joe Bark, Anderson Surfboards, Honest Tea, Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club and National Doryman’s Association.