The 26th edition of the Waterman's Challenge will be free of the Covid guidance rules required for the 2020 race.
Given the unfortunate circumstance of the very dense fog bank that brought a premature end to the race in 2020, in 2021 and future races, you will be required to have either a compass and/or a GPS with race finish coordinates programmed in. Our goal is to never have fog terminate the race again. Know how to use your compass or GPS to guide you, be prepared!
Like last year, there will be NO DAY OF RACE SIGN-UPS, registration closes at 5pm on Friday, July 9.
1. Race starts at 7am. Be on time or catch up!
2. Pre-registration only, registration closes at 5pm on Friday, July 9.
3. Come with your number on your right shoulder and hand ... please.
4. Check-in will return to the normal parking lot park bench area. Compass/GPS verification required.
5. Race safety talk begins promptly at 6:40 am on the beach.
5.a In the event you are the woman or man in front, we have a lead boat on the rum line. Follow it.
6. The finish will be a boat with a big checkered flag.
7. Your Name, Number and finish Time will be recorded by the crew. Smile for the camera :) !
8. Welcome back raffle, refreshments, award ceremony and Waterman Brother & Sisterhood, enjoy!
Given the unfortunate circumstance of the very dense fog bank that brought a premature end to the race in 2020, in 2021 and future races, you will be required to have either a compass and/or a GPS with race finish coordinates programmed in. Our goal is to never have fog terminate the race again. Know how to use your compass or GPS to guide you, be prepared!
Like last year, there will be NO DAY OF RACE SIGN-UPS, registration closes at 5pm on Friday, July 9.
1. Race starts at 7am. Be on time or catch up!
2. Pre-registration only, registration closes at 5pm on Friday, July 9.
3. Come with your number on your right shoulder and hand ... please.
4. Check-in will return to the normal parking lot park bench area. Compass/GPS verification required.
5. Race safety talk begins promptly at 6:40 am on the beach.
5.a In the event you are the woman or man in front, we have a lead boat on the rum line. Follow it.
6. The finish will be a boat with a big checkered flag.
7. Your Name, Number and finish Time will be recorded by the crew. Smile for the camera :) !
8. Welcome back raffle, refreshments, award ceremony and Waterman Brother & Sisterhood, enjoy!
1st Waterman Challenge, 1996
The 26th Waterman Challenge will happen on SATURDAY July 10, 2021. This is a challenging 15-mile open ocean course down the coast of San Diego from Swamis to Windansea, the longest continuous running paddleboard race in the world. As always, the start will consist of a water start outside the surfline at Swamis Beach Park and the finish will be at the north end of Windansea Beach. This event continues to be a favorite among traditional paddlers with its challenging course and the waterman spirit shared by all of the participants. The Waterman Challenge is brought to you by North County Paddle Events (NCPE). We look forward to you joining us for this exciting event and challenge you to best the course records.
Start: 7:00am. Check in begins at 5:30am. Water safety talk at 640am on the beach.
Entry: $60 donation. Registration is open and will close at 5pm July 9. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION, you must preregister. All entries receive a Waterman t-shirt and nutrition & beverages at the finish.
Course: Swamis to WindanSea hugging the coastline (15 miles). Duration: Most years it takes from 2 1/2 - 4 hours to complete the course. PLEASE TRAIN ADEQUATELY, bring proper nutrition, and remember safety first. Lead escort and chase boat provided.
New Rule: All racers must have either a compass, GPS, or both on their craft. From Swamis, following a course that takes you due South will take you to the finish and taking a 90 degree left turn will take you due east and to the beach. The coordinates for where the finish boat will be anchored are : 32°49'53.5"N 117°16'58.4"W
Call this the 2020 rule. We all very much wish to avoid the losing the race to fog again.
Divisions and Awards: Top three finishers in each division* will earn an award. Stock: 12' and under, Unlimited: everything else, Kapuna: 50+, Fourteen* (First Place Only), Women.
Transportation: This is a point to point race. Please arrange to be dropped off at Swamis. Also please note that parking for the finish at Windansea is on residential streets. Please be courteous.
Directions to Swamis:
1. 5 North/South 2. Exit Encinitas Blvd. Go west towards ocean 3. South on Coast Highway 4. Stay on PCH through two stoplights and two stop signs 5. Swamis Beach park on right past Swamis Self Realization Center
Directions to WindanSea: 1. 5 South 2. Exit La Jolla Village Dr. West 3. Left on Torrey Pines Rd. 4. Right on Pearl St. 5. Left on La Jolla Blvd. 6. Right on Nautalus to beach.
RAFFLE: Each racer receives one ticket. Additional tickets can be purchased at the Paddleguru site or on the beach.
SPONSORS: A big thank you to BARK, Oakley, Stay Covered, Surftech, American Wave Machines, HyperFlex and Hakuna Wear
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND DONATIONS: NCPE is a non-profit organization run only by volunteers . All proceeds from the race will go to support organizations in our local communities. The Ocean of Hope campaign benefitting the Sarcoma Alliance is a long-time partner of the paddling community and we are proud to support them.
In this time of learning of social injustices, the members of NCPE feel it is important that we do our part to help some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Just In Time benefits young adults graduating from foster care programs in San Diego.
Entry: $60 donation. Registration is open and will close at 5pm July 9. NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION, you must preregister. All entries receive a Waterman t-shirt and nutrition & beverages at the finish.
Course: Swamis to WindanSea hugging the coastline (15 miles). Duration: Most years it takes from 2 1/2 - 4 hours to complete the course. PLEASE TRAIN ADEQUATELY, bring proper nutrition, and remember safety first. Lead escort and chase boat provided.
New Rule: All racers must have either a compass, GPS, or both on their craft. From Swamis, following a course that takes you due South will take you to the finish and taking a 90 degree left turn will take you due east and to the beach. The coordinates for where the finish boat will be anchored are : 32°49'53.5"N 117°16'58.4"W
Call this the 2020 rule. We all very much wish to avoid the losing the race to fog again.
Divisions and Awards: Top three finishers in each division* will earn an award. Stock: 12' and under, Unlimited: everything else, Kapuna: 50+, Fourteen* (First Place Only), Women.
Transportation: This is a point to point race. Please arrange to be dropped off at Swamis. Also please note that parking for the finish at Windansea is on residential streets. Please be courteous.
Directions to Swamis:
1. 5 North/South 2. Exit Encinitas Blvd. Go west towards ocean 3. South on Coast Highway 4. Stay on PCH through two stoplights and two stop signs 5. Swamis Beach park on right past Swamis Self Realization Center
Directions to WindanSea: 1. 5 South 2. Exit La Jolla Village Dr. West 3. Left on Torrey Pines Rd. 4. Right on Pearl St. 5. Left on La Jolla Blvd. 6. Right on Nautalus to beach.
RAFFLE: Each racer receives one ticket. Additional tickets can be purchased at the Paddleguru site or on the beach.
SPONSORS: A big thank you to BARK, Oakley, Stay Covered, Surftech, American Wave Machines, HyperFlex and Hakuna Wear
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND DONATIONS: NCPE is a non-profit organization run only by volunteers . All proceeds from the race will go to support organizations in our local communities. The Ocean of Hope campaign benefitting the Sarcoma Alliance is a long-time partner of the paddling community and we are proud to support them.
In this time of learning of social injustices, the members of NCPE feel it is important that we do our part to help some of the most vulnerable in our communities. Just In Time benefits young adults graduating from foster care programs in San Diego.
