Here are some notes on the course. First, starts are always crucially important but all the more so at the Hanohano short course. Standup paddle boarders sprint to a bottleneck left turn, hugging the jetty and facing lots of turbulence. Typically, paddlers come within inches of the rocks and the ebb and flow of the ocean, plus the tight pack of the start, make it really difficult to find a clear, calm opening, unless (of course) you are leading the start. So, sprint hard and try to hold a lead to find some clear water. Second, watch the currents. There will be a few turns and twists during the course, especially near jetties. And sometimes the shortest path is not the fastest. The course is close to the mouth of the bay and currents can be tricky, particularly in shallower waters. Keep an eye on the people around you and note whether your path is helping you gain, lose, or hold your lead around the bends. Drafting might be the safest strategy to hold your grounds in shallower water. Other than that, go out, have fun, and share the sup stoke! 

Long Course (Approx 9 miles):

Starting Procedure: Line up at North Jetty heading North. Start will be a horn blast from Escort Boat. Please No Running Starts…You’ll be wrecking the race for everyone else. Follow “Lead Boat” to Crystal Pier…Left turn around “Turn Boat” toward the Yukon…approx. 45 degree angle. Left turn on Turn Boat, Head to Turn Buoy off South Jetty…Left Turn on Buoy. Stay to the right (South Jetty) until the line of white 5 MPH Buoys, turn into Bonita Cove. All Paddlers Must finish between buoy and official boat It is the Paddlers responsibility to make sure your number and time are recorded at the finish. Failure to report race number at finish line will result in DNF. 

Short Course (4.5 miles):

The Short Course will begin in Bonita Cove marshaled and started by Safety Boat #1. - First Wave… OC-1, OC-2, Surfskis - Second Wave… (2 minute delay)… All SUP - Third Wave… (2 minute delay)… All prone Participants will proceed to (left hand turn) at entrance to Bonita Cove following the lead safety boat toward Sea World following traffic patterns (stay to right). Left turn #2 will be at a buoy in the mid channel at Sea World at which point participants will paddle counterclockwise around Vacation Island and return to Bonita Cove minding traffic patterns. Finish will be between  official boat and Buoy anchored in Bonita Cove adjacent to the start. Paddlers must enter the buoy chute and report their race number to the officials on the finish boat. Failure to follow finish procedure will result in a DNF. 

***take note of the people around you when you finish in case any questions arise.

Finish Procedure 2024 

• Paddlers finish between the boat and the yellow buoy NOT two boats as in the past
• Paddlers should make their number visible on front  and only give it verbally if asked, Prone paddlers must announce their number
• Paddlers should listen for the PA to announce the correct number as they finish if their number isn't announced correctly, they should paddle up to the finish boat and make the correction to a support person on the boat. They should NOT yell their number over and over
• If you are finishing close to others that are not in your division make the finish as clear as possible in other words if you're a man on an OC1 don't drive through the finish line trying to beat a woman on an OC1 by mere inches. 
• Clear the finish area to the right or left before stopping please keep the finish zone clear every year this is a problem.
• Please be aware that the timing crew is under a lot of stress to get times right, if you have already finished but have circled around to support someone else break away well before the finish line.