Oktoberfest Paddle Race Weather Window Opens - Paddlers Jump Through
The 2016 101 Surf Sports Paddle Race season kicked off this past October15th taking full advantage of a small weather window to make the action happen.(Pictured the outside leg of the course)
With bad weather bookending the first race of the season some changes needed to be made to keep the paddle racing safe. We rolled out a brand new course that featured the longest 6 mile course you will ever go on. Largely because it was actually 7 miles. The day saw the paddlers heading first out to the number 6 piling only to have to come back and do a buoy turn in front of the entire crowd. The fleet then headed back out to the San Francisco Bay for a turn around the 6 piling with one more buoy turn in front of the crowd.(pictured below just over 100 paddlers ready to roll)
A final trip out to the bay and back to the finish. While a bit more work for the paddlers this was definitely a spectator friendly course. We were lucky to get such a nice window with blustery 40mph winds rolling in just as the awards ceremony was wrapping up.
We celebrate diversity here and this was a model of diversity with Stand Up Paddleboards, Prone Paddleboards, Kayaks, Outrigger Canoe, and Surfskis all getting in on the action. We even had a Tandem SUP take to the course. If it's powered by paddle and faces forward you can race it here.(Pictured is the fight for line honors with Kurt Kaunzinger and John Green in an OC2 taking advantage of Amy Byers and Elaine Baden going a little too wide at the turn)
A special thanks to all our partners. We hope you will support the businesses that support our sport. In this case that's O'Neill, Hint Water, Kind Bars, 101 North Brewing, The Fruit Guys, Mamies Pies, and Three Twins Ice Cream. THANK YOU!
The race sold out early in the week so we do hope you will sign up early for all future races. All the races are limiited to only 101 entrants to keep things safe.
Upcoming Schedule
Free Nutrition Seminar - Thursday October 20th More Info Click Here
SUP Run Championships McNears Beach - October 29th More Info Click Here
101 Surf Sports San Rafael Race 2 - November 12th - (All proceeds to charity) More Info Click Here
Time Offsets.
Long Course Ski's acccurate as is.
Long Course OC and Prone -1 min
Long Course SUP 14 -2min
Long Course SUP 12'6 -3min
Short Course Boats -10min
Short Course Start 2 -11 Min
PHOTO GALLERY (Thanks Josh Luria for the outer bay photos and to Andy Toro for the shop photos.)
Special thanks to the San Rafael Police Boat and Captain Mark Heedon for being on the water with the SRPD boat.
Thanks to all who paddled. Paddle on.
