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 The San Clemente Ocean
Festival will have its first ever stand-up paddle surfing contest on the north
side San Clemente Pier on Sunday, July 20.
Stand–up paddle surfing,
known as SUP, is a sport that has enjoyed a rebirth
in recent years. Surfing breaks across the country are now seeing explosive
growth of this traditional sport that combines surfing and paddling.
Utilizing a
paddle that is specifically designed for SUP, surfers maintain an upright
position while paddling out to the lineup, paddling into the waves, and then
surfing them to shore. The paddle is not only a tool for navigating the lineup,
but is also critically employed throughout the surfer’s maneuvers on the wave.
Stand-up
paddle surfing first surfaced on the shores of Waikiki
back in the 1940s and ‘50s. The original Waikiki Beachboys blended their
favorite sports of outrigger canoe paddling and surfing, utilizing a canoe
paddle to both paddle and surf while standing. It was an adaptation made for
convenience as it afforded the Beachboys a better view of the Waikiki
surf lineup, where they assisted tourists in learning to surf and took their
photos while doing so.
The concept for this
year’s event was developed by Barrett Tester (athletic director) and Jack
Sutter (surf competition director) who want to showcase the SUP community at
the San Clemente Ocean Festival.
“Stand-up
paddle surfing has brought the biggest injection of energy to the surf industry
in at least 15 years,” says Barrett Tester.
“Clearly we
are seeing a whole new sport out in the lineup and we want to make sure that
the sport is part of the events at the Ocean Festival.”
The Stand-up Paddleboard
Surfing Championships is an event open to everyone. Judging will be based on
progressive & classic maneuvers and style (50%-50%). Use of paddle is part
of the judging criteria. All contest rules and regulations will be posted at
the event site. There are 24 openings,
all in the open category (includes both men & women). San Clemente Ocean Festival medals will be
awarded for 1st thru 6th.
Entry forms available at www.oceanfestival.org or contact Jack
Sutter at:
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or tel. 949-481-1205
Entry information:
All
events are open to the public and registration begins 6:00 A.M. at the San
Clemente Pier. Entry fee of $40 includes
commemorative San Clemente Ocean Festival t-shirt and
surfing rash guard.
Contact info:
Jack Sutter, Surf Event Director
(949)
481-1205
Email:
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San Clemente Ocean Festival
P.O. Box 1373
San Clemente, CA 92674
Tel: (949) 440-6141
www.oceanfestival.org
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