Epic Escape At Marin Brewing Company San Quentin Breakout Paddle Race

Paddle them like you stole them! That's how it rolled for the 66 competitors at the 2nd Annual Marin Brewing Company San Quentin Breakout Paddle race with epic weather and a Whole Foods St Patties Day Lunch treating the escapee's to a special day on the water.(all photos Ron Steinau www.imagesbycaptron.com)

This was no one man breakout with Surfski's, Outrigger Canoes, Kayaks, Stand Up Paddleboards, and Prone Paddleboards all going over the fence. The day's weather could not have been ordered up any finer,  with 73 degree air temp and a 2 mph zephyr it was literally the exact opposite of last year's race. Read about that paddleboard race here.

As the competitors fired off the line to tackle the 7 mile course in front of them it was a packed Golden Gate Ferry on its way to San Francisco making for the roughest waters of the day. The ferry departure happened just as the starting gun went off giving the competitors a chance to ride a little bump – and for some to take a swim as they head off the line.(pictured below Aaron Mckinnon leads Ben Sarrazin with Liam Murphy and Bojan Bernard in pursuit and San Quentin Prison providing the backdrop.)

The course takes the fleet from the front gate of San Quentin Prison through the Richmond San Rafael Bridge and on to the Marin Islands. With a left turn at the islands it was a 2.5 mile sprint back to the ice cold Marin Brewing Company San Quentin Breakout Stout & never ending supply of Whole Foods Market Corned Beef.

Paddle of the day honors was an easy one this time with 8 year old Kate Craig tackling the course on her prone paddleboard. Kate had the whole crowd on their feet as she brought it home strong! The Sportsmanship award was another easy box to check. 14' SUP Class leaders Ben Sarrazin and Bojan Bernard were battling neck and neck for the entire 7 mile course, but as they approached the finish line both pulled up their paddles and crossed the line together. Now that's Ohana Racing defined. (Pictured below Kate Craig at right with some of her competition!)

While normally we don't play favorites our favorite paddlers of the day were Thad & Karen Lynn-lieb. Why? They paddled the entire course Tandem on a 10' Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard - That's what we are all about - Nice work guys!

Special thanks to title sponsor Marin Brewing Company. Remember to support the businesses that support the sport and in this case it means drinking some of the planet's best beer – not so tough a request we hope. Whole Foods Market San Rafael once again delivered in high St. Patricks style on the delicious lunch spread. Thanks as always to Hint Water for keeping the fleet hydrated! We also want to thank all the volunteer help. With all the logistics of a one way race we really needed all the help.

With the increased risk of these one way adventure races we sure were lucky to have Dana from Passage Yachts on the water in that gorgeous new Beneteau Motor Yacht! If you're wondering who that was perched on the stern that was Event Photographer Extraordinaire Ron Steinau so I hope you were smiling. Full gallery photo link at bottom – Thanks for all the photos Ron. Joining the passage yachts team was Drew on the Barbary Ghost. The Barbary Ghost is the go to boat for Bay Area Paddle Tours.

Click here for more information on San Francisco Bay Paddleboard Tours including downwinders!

Special thanks to Supcurrents.com Geoff James for the generous use of the Sprinter Van for moving the people around!

Thanks again to everyone who paddled and see you at the next race!

PHOTO GALLERY CLICK HERE. (photo's will be free from watermarking until Wednesday Afternoon. So if you see a shot you like download it now!)

CLICK HERE FOR RESULTS IN DIVISIONAL ORDER

Complete Results in order of finish.