RACE: The Cold Hands Paddle draws paddlers from all over Southern California who brave the ocean waters off Cabrillo Beach, in San Pedro, CA  to race what some call The Official Start to the Paddling Season!

Come for the race, stay for the raffle! Free to participate! All ages welcome!

COURSE: An awesome (some say not even cold!) 4 mile course starting in front of the Cabrillo Beach Bathhouse, around the famous lighthouse, and finishing inside the breakwall at Cabrillo Beach. See our Race Map for details.

DIVISIONS:  COLD HANDS IS A TIMING FREE EVENT IN 2019! Paddleboards, SUPs, dory boats, surf skis, kayaks, and OC1s are welcome to participate.

FINISHER'S MEDAL FOR THE FIRST 110 PARTICIPANTS.

REGISTRATION and T-SHIRTS: No fee to race! Register online if you want to feel official! Famous Cold Hands Paddle t-shirts/Ocean of Hope team hats package is available on race day for $30. We will sell out!

RAFFLE: Buy raffle tickets online or on  the day of the race! All proceeds of the raffle benefit the Sarcoma Alliance and the fight for cancer patients.To find out more information or to donate, click here: OCEAN OF HOPE

$5 or 5 tickets for $20

SPONSORS: Thank you for the continued support from The Cabrillo Beach Boosters, Quest Nutrition, State Farm Insurance- Suzy Zimmerman, Caveman Granola, Harbor Physical Therapy, BG Surfboards, Ocean of Hope, Port Town Brewing Company, Drunk Monk Bier, LA City and LA County Lifeguards.

SAFETY: For SUP's and OC's please make sure to bring your own USCG approved floatation device.  Also, should the weather or surf conditions get rough, for the safety of participants the race course may be altered or postponed. PRE-RACE SAFETY MEETING ON LAWN AREA at 8:30am sharp.

PARKING: Plenty of parking, though it may cost a few bucks. Show up ready to race! See our Race Maps for directions and satellite photos. Check out our Photo Gallery! 

RACE HISTORY: What started out as a friendly wager between two Los Angeles City Lifeguards in February of 2002, has turned into the Cold Hands Paddle. Every year since 2003, the Cold Hands Paddle is set in the heart of the Southern Californian winter at the beginning of March when you never know what Mother Nature will have in store. See the current Cabrillo Beach Surf Report and water temperature!