Island Paddle would like to welcome all beach lovers to our 4th annual event OCEAN FEST. This event will feature Island Entertainment, Live Music, Vendor Booths.. and our Main Event consisting of our popular Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) & Kayak Races. Everyone from beginners to competitive paddlers are welcome to participate in our FUN 1K and 5K paddle races. FREE and FAMILY FRIENDLY. Event open to the public & spectators 

(Galveston East Beach parking fees & rules will apply)

Island Paddle is a proud supporter of the Mauli Ola

Foundation  (MOF), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing hope and confidence to individuals living with genetic diseases. Harnessing the healing powers of the ocean, the MOF introduces surfing as a natural therapy.  

*!! NEW FEATURES for 2016 !!*:  (see below for more details)

- "JSU package" - Just Show Up package. Will include SUP surfstyle board, paddle, board leash and life jacket. Register for a 1K or a 5K race and simply Just Show Up!
- 1K FUN race - Great for any participant that wants to join in on the fun but not want to do a 5K distance paddle. 
- Island Paddle's Team Challenge - Build your team and register in the 5K race.  Fastest times of 5 team members are averaged for team's final time. Fastest averaged timed team wins! (see islandpaddle.com FAQ's for details) Team members receive a $3.00 off registration coupon code.​
- Ocean Fest Wrist Band Pass - all access pass to Ocean Fest parties & events at Moody Gardens: only $20 for entire weekend (see islandpaddle.com FAQ's for details)
- (Sunday) Dragon Boating - Island Paddle is proud to collaborate with the Texas Dragon Boat Association - come be a part of some Dragon Boat Racing 
- (Sunday) "Paddle for A Purpose" - On Sunday, fun charity paddle course. All registrants included in raffle. All water crafts are welcome! Minimum of $25 donation registration (see islandpaddle.com FAQ's for details)

 ABOUT OUR RACES:

Races will be held in

East Beach with the Galveston Island Beach Patrol in the water

during the races AT ALL TIMES to ensure the safety of all competitors.  Various members of the Island Paddle team are CPR certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life

Support (PALS).

ALL Races can be a competition or recreational paddle between you and your friends!

KAYAK 5K Race ($35)
Kayak vessels can be single or multiple occupancy, only 1 registration needed per vessel. "On the water" start line and "on the water" finish line. Registration categories will be divided by water craft and all vessels will be timed. But, awards will be awarded with all water crafts combined as "kayak race". Timed results with registered water craft will be posted online (paddleguru.com). 

SUP FUN 1K Race ($25)
This is a FUN race, open for ALL ages. This race is great for any participant that wants to join in on the fun but not want to do a 5K distance. 1K SUP race will have the same features as the 5K race - beach start, buoy turns and beach finish. The 1K fun-K race will not be a timed race.

SUP 5K Race ($45)
SUP 5K registration categories are divided between board sizes, age and gender. This 5K race will apply TPRS (texas paddle racing series) points and rules. Races will feature beach start, beach chicane, buoy turns and beach finish. 

10K TPRS Competitors: "Mock 10K Race" participants in Ocean Fest will receive points in the for TPRS 10K trophy track . Actual distance of the "Mock 10K Race" is only a 5K. This category was designed to identify TPRS competitors in the 10K trophy track.  Due to the safety concerns and the lack of interest in an "open water" 10K category in previous years, Island Paddle has decided not to hold a 10K distance race for 2016.  This will be re-evaluated for future Ocean Fest events.

SUP & KAYAK Dash for Cash
This straight sprint

course (approx. 500 yards) was made for the adrenaline junkies!  Test your paddling skills in this fast and

furious course that is sure to be a crowd favorite! Winner receives $100 CASH! All registered participants from the 1K / 5K races can join in on the fun – FREE of charge!  

SUNDAY: DRAGON BOAT RACE: ($25) - moody gardens
Dragon Boats are a 20 person craft. If you would like to join our Dragon Boat Paddle team (TPRS) register for only $25 on paddleguru. If you would like to start a team or would like to be a fill-in paddler "pick-up paddler" - simply contact David Mandell at TEXASDRAGONBOAT@YAHOO.COM.  

SUNDAY: SUP - "PADDLE FOR A PURPOSE": ($25 donation) - moody gardens
100% of Registration donations benefiting the Mauli Ola Foundation 501(c)
This is not a race. This event is a charity paddle, all water crafts welcome. Each registrant will paddle a fun course all in the name of charity. 100% of all registrations monies will benefit the Mauli Ola Foundation which helps kids with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and other genetic disorders. Each registrant will also receive a raffle ticket and paddle a fun course for opportunities to collect more raffle tickets to increase your chances of winning prizes that include Mauli Ola Foundation signature hats, free Yoga lessons, gift certificates and more!!  Paddle for a friend, Paddle for a family member, Paddle for a Purpose!!. For information about the Mauli Ola Foundation, please visit www.mauliola.org. 

Disclaimer:  Weather and water conditions on the Gulf Coast change rapidly. Although Island Paddle events are held whether rain or shine, there are many factors that can cause events & races to be considered "un-safe". Torrential rain, flooding, rough water conditions and hurricanes are a few examples. For this reason, we understand many competitors will want to wait until conditions are more predictable. Island Paddle had decided not to penalize competitors for late registration. However, we cannot guarantee an event T-shirt if you do not register at least 2 weeks before event date. We recommend to register online as soon as possible. The Galveston Island Beach Patrol & the Island Paddle safety team reserve the right to cancel or modify any race at any time.  All decisions made by the Galveston Island Beach Patrol and / or the Island Paddle safety team are final.

SUP AWARDS:

All registered

participants will receive a swag bag (filled with items from sponsors).  All races are timed except for the 1K FUN race. Awards given to the following paddle craft categories:

            5K SUP 14' mens / womens - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (open class age 18-49)

            5K SUP 12’6” mens / womens - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (open class age 18-49)

            5K SUP Surfstyle mens / womens - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (open class age 18-49)  

            5K SUP Juniors - 1st, 2nd, 3rd  (age 14-17)

            5K SUP Legends mens / womens - 1st, 2nd, 3rd  (age 50+, board sizes combined)

 "Mock" 10K 14' SUP mens / womens - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (ages combined for Ocean Fest Awards) 

 "Mock" 10K 12.6' SUP mens / womens - 1st, 2nd, 3rd (ages combined Ocean Fest Awards) 

 Kayak 5K - 1st, 2nd, 3rd 

            ** Dash-For-Cash SUP **  (FREE optional race for registrants) - 1st only - $100

            ** Dash-For-Cash Kayak ** (FREE optional race for registrants) - 1st only - $100