On Sunday, August 27th, 2023, paddlers from all over the world will take to the waters off  Southern California in the 46th annual Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race, one of the premier and most historic paddleboard races in the world.

The first paddleboard crossing of the Catalina Channel was done in 1932  by Pete Peterson, Wally Burton, and Tom Blake. Officially , the race was started in 1955 by Los Angeles County Lifeguard Bob Hogan and members of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.  Many Legendary watermen and waterwomen have raced the channel, helping to make the Catalina Classic one of the pre-eminent ocean racing events of the year. 

Paddlers will leave the Isthmus Cove, Catalina Island,  at 6am and paddle 32-miles to the Manhattan Beach Pier. Swell, current, and wind dictate the conditions, creating what is notoriously one of the world's most grueling endurance events.

Pre-Qualifier (2022 Catalina Classic finishers) registration opens May 15th-June 15th 2023

Open-Qualifier race registration begins June 20th 2023

Race registration closes July 20th 2023