Now come celebrate the modern West Coast waterman’s lifestyle at the Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez’s Battle of the Paddle, a stand-up paddle festival and exposition with a series of races and demonstrations that offer ocean athletes of all ages and skill levels the chance to experience this exciting new sport.

Staged at Dana Point’s historic Doheny State Beach, the Battle of the Paddle is more than an ordinary paddle race. For the sport’s elite paddlers it presents the greatest championship styled SUP race featuring an offshore course that tests not only endurance but also the open-ocean and surfing skills of the world’s best watermen and women. Not to mention a cash purse of over $25,000.

On Saturday October 3^rd in the Elite Race, invited competitors on stock (12’6”) SUP boards, will complete multiple laps on a circuit that will include paddling through the surf and beaching their equipment for a short sand run around a course flag.  Also, on Saturday (Oct. 3) will be the hugely popular Open Age-Group Race open to everyone no matter what type of SUP craft you prefer to paddle.  Last year’s Open Age-Group Race had the largest SUP field ever assembled and this year’s race is promising to be even bigger and will include a new festive costume division.

Sunday October 4^th the SUP Distance Race will be open to all SUP craft categories (12’6” stock, 14 ft. and unlimited) and racers will paddle a scenic ten mile course from Doheny State Beach to San Clemente Pier and back.  Additionally, there will also be an exciting SUP Surf Relay Race for prize money to close the Battle.

This year Hawaiian organizations Na Kama Kai and Kanalu will be on site shaping ancient style surfboards and providing cultural education and ocean awareness programs.  The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association will be organizing kid’s activities throughout the weekend and will include an art clinic with surf artist Drew Brophy.

At the SUP Expo you’ll meet the world’s best shapers and manufacturers, check out their latest board designs and paddle innovations and be able to purchase these goods at steep discounts.  Naturally there will be demo boards and paddles of all shapes and sizes available for those who want to perfect their stroke or even try SUP for the first time.

Everyone who enters The Battle of the Paddle will receive a free pair of Rainbow Sandals, event tee and lunch. There will also be a special awards luau and aloha concert hosted by the Hawaiian San Onofre Surf Club on Saturday evening October 3 featuring Titus Kinimaka and Ekolu Kalama. All event proceeds to go to the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association.

Whether you’re racing for the prize or just getting started, The Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez’s Battle of the Paddle is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Southern California’s original surf lifestyle, and the dynamic new surf/paddle discipline known as stand-up paddling.