There’s a new game in town, as Saturday marked the first ever Pier-to-Pier stand-up and traditional paddle board race.
In the men’s short course, James Donovan had the fastest overall time among stand-up races while Eric Mehlberg was the top finisher in the traditional paddleboard (laying flat). The fastest women’s short course finishers were Nicole Gutent in stand-up and Rosanna Sandoval in traditional.
Decian Sacre was the fastest male stand-up on the long course and Tad Smyth was the fastest female, while Aaron McKinnon and Rochelle King were tops in the traditional race.
“The vibe was so friendly and fun,” said Robin Fisher, who raced stand-up for the first time. “The best part was at the end, with everyone cheering you on. It had such a family feel.”
The event was organized by the local company Blacksmith Endurance, with the goal of raising money for The Friendship Paddle Foundation, which aims to raise funds and awareness for local families grappling with the difficulties of terminal illness.
The growing popularity of paddle boarding and more specifically stand-up paddling in Santa Barbara made the event a great success, with nearly 100 racers in attendance. Also, the Santa Barbara coast proves to be a great location ideal for a paddle race.
“Santa Barbara is one of the premier places to race in the world,” said Mark Ingalls, a Friendship Paddle representative. “The conditions are ideal for the downhill run.”
The event consisted of two separate races. The long course was an 11-mile down-swell paddle from Goleta Pier to East Beach, giving the race its Pier to Pier namesake. The short course was 3.5 miles and ran from Ledbetter Beach to the same finish line.
The majority of the paddlers in attendance at the race were Santa Barbara locals, with others coming in from throughout Southern and Central California. Dave Kalama, a world-renowned waterman and surfer, even made the trip from Hawaii to show his support. Kalama came in third overall in the 11-mile race.
The standout paddler of the day was Matt Becker, who, at 14 years old was the youngest paddler in the 11-mile race, and also placed 5th overall amongst the stand-up paddlers.
“It was the best race I’ve ever done,” Becker said. “I was able to connect with a lot of waves, and it turned out real good.”
While the long race saw many well established racers, the short course proved to be an excellent introduction for many first timers and youngsters alike.
“My first time on a [Stand-up paddle] board was two weeks ago,” Fisher said. “And the race was only my third time paddling.”
In the future event organizers hope to make race into an annual event as a part of the Naish Race Series.
“We hope to make it an international event, with over 300 paddlers next year,” Ingalls said.
While the Pier to Pier event may not occur again till next year, there will be another opportunity for local paddlers to get involved in the sport. Hobie SUP is hosting a race on August 15th in conjunction with the Wine and Roses Regatta.
LONG COURSE WINNERS
Stand Up Paddleboard
Male
Stock (12’-6”)
40-59 – Dave Kalama
17-39 – Declan Sacre (Fastest SUP time on course)
16 and under – Matt Becker
14’ class
17-39 – John Robbins
Unlimited Length
40-59 – Thomas Gallager (second fastest SUP time)
17-39 – Brian Fernandez
Women
Unlimited Length
40 and older – Tad Smyth
Paddleboard
Male
Stock (12’-6”)
40-59 – Mike Randolph
14’ class
40-59 – Sean Robertson
17-39 – Aaron McKinnon (Fastest Paddle time, and fastest time overall in race)
Unlimited
40-59 – Jon Stange
Women
Stock
40+ – Amanda Calhoun
39 and under – Rochelle King (Fastest woman paddler in race)
14’ class
40+ – Kathryn Tubbs
SHORT COURSE WINNERS
Stand Up Paddleboard
Male
Stock (12’-6”)
40-59 – Rob Graham
17-39 – James Donovan (first place in all men’s SUP)
14’ class
16 and under – Tucker Ingalls
Women
Stock (12’-6”)
39 and under = Nichole Gutent
40 and older = Jackie Campbell
Paddleboard
Male
Stock (12’-6”)
40-59 = Michael Smith
17-39 = Eric Mehlberg (first man done, fastest time overall)
16 and under = Spencer Smith
Women
Stock (12’-6”)
40+ = Rossana Sandoval
What was the fastest time in the 11 Mile course?