If anyone is headed to the Battle of the Paddle this weekend in Dana Point, California, it’s looking to be an epic event. According to a press release last week, the race has a record number of more than 700 athletes participating and an exposition of 80 vendor booths. Now in its third year, the huge turnout at this year’s race reinforces the growing popularity of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) and quells any doubt about if the sport offers a legitimate race scene.
Jay ‘Sparky’ Longley, founder of Rainbow Sandals and the Battle of the Paddle, came to the sport much like any of its present day enthusiasts: in the company of friends. Sparky, iconic Hawaii surfer Gerry Lopez, and Californian board maker Ron House picked up boards and paddles on the same day and were instantly bitten by the SUP bug. The result of that was the Battle of the Paddle that started at Doheny State Beach in 2008, and expanded to Hawaii earlier this year.
“We figured why not create a platform for everyone to discover and enjoy this sport,” says Longley. “It’s good fun, easy to do, great for your health, and a positive way to bring the community and people from all around the world together.”
The Battle of the Paddle will feature the best stand up paddlers from around the country and around the world - athletes like Danny Ching (Redondo Beach), Jamie Mitchell (Australia), Jenny Kalmbach (Hawaii), and Chuck Patterson (Dana Point). But for every pro stand up paddler, there will be dozens of weekend warriors, families, and fitness enthusiasts simply looking to the sport for a fun time and a way to connect with like-minded people.
The free beach exposition will be equally diverse, featuring fitness companies, natural foods, SUP destination marketers, well-known surf industry labels, and dedicated SUP brands.
Check out the live feed here!
Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle
Dana Point, October 2nd & 3rd
8am to 4pm daily
Elite, distance, children’s and relay races.
Complete SUP beach exposition, FREE to the public.
www.rainbowsandals.com/battleofthepaddle/CA
