Event Info

The Catalina SUP Festival - Descanso Beach Club, Avalon CA September 30th – October 2nd 2011

Avalon, California – The world's finest stand-up paddlers and brands will converge on Santa Catalina Island Friday, September 30 - Sunday, October 2, 2011 for the Catalina SUP Festival. The weekend-long event, hosted by Santa Catalina Island Company and their partners REVO sunglasses, SUP Magazine, Sierra Nevada and Skyy Infusions, will include two days of races in the calm waters off Descanso Beach Club, demos, SUP films and numerous entertainment festivities. Clear waters, the best spectator course in the sport, and a world-class vacation experience are expected to make this the world's premiere SUP festival.

The Santa Catalina Island Company is pleased to announce it has bolstered its world class paddling event, with $15,000 in prize money, making for an unparalleled two-days of races.

The festivities officially begin Friday, September 30th on a The Offical SUP Festival Party boat departing out of Long Beach California with SUP and Waterman Film's, DJ's, Drinks and Much more. Then on October 1st Stand-Up paddlers from all over the world will partake in SUP races, board demos, music, zip lining, relaxation and numerous parties. Crystal clear waters, the best spectator course imaginable and a world-class vacation experience will make this event the world's premiere SUP festival.

"Saturday's race course will be challenging, fun and fast" said Barrett Tester, who this month was named Race Director for the Catalina SUP Festival. "Sunday's distance race will be super-scenic, running along Catalina Island's beautiful leeward coast. This event will mark Catalina Island as a top destination for the sport of SUP." Tester currently produces the Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle and is co-Founder of the Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race. He has over a decade of race organization under his belt.

Saturday's race will consist of multiple elite and open heats comprised of 20 – 30 racers, culminating with the REVO Sunglasses Final Event. Up to five elite racers from each heat will qualify for the final event that day which will pay out to the top 10 winners. Sunday's race will be a mass start 8-10 mile distance race that will also award cash to the top 10 racers. Top Open event racers will receive VIP swag bags that will include REVO sunglasses, Catalina vacation packages, and much more.

"The multiple heat format, REVO Sunglasses Final event and $15,000 prize purse is guaranteed to bring out the best paddlers in the world and make this a high energy event," said Island Company Director of Sales, Brandon von Guenthner. "We'll also have an entire Demo Expo on Avalon Bay exposing thousands of new and seasoned paddlers to the industries best brands. At our core we are a hospitality company so we are excited to showcase our products and services to the SUP community, this is going to be a world-class event" von Guenthner states.

EVENTS OF THE CATALINA SUP FESTIVAL

Free SUP Expo and Demo:

Meet some of the world's best shapers and manufacturers check out their latest board designs and paddle innovations and purchase these goods at steep discounts. There will be demo boards and paddles of all shapes and sizes available right on front street in Avalon Bay for those who want to perfect their stroke or even try SUP for the first time.

Activities: The Catalina SUP Festival will have something for everyone; outdoor enthusiasts can demo the industry's best standup brands at one end of Avalon; race and then zip line at the other end. Families can choose from 1 of 13 sightseeing tours; including miniature golf, land and sea tours, rock climbing wall and much more. Couples can relax in a private cabana, enjoy massages on the beach and dine at the waters edge.

Elite Race:(Saturday) The Saturday Race will have multiple elite hears and then the REVO sunglasses final event
 Top finishers in their respective heats will advance to the afternoon final. Both men & women Elite Racers will race in the morning heats.

The course is a multiple lap circuit that includes numerous turns, from every vantage point, viewers can see the race unfold against the majestic backdrop of the Catalina coastline.

Open Age-Group Race: (Saturday)
Open to everyone! The course is a friendly, fun and moderately challenging buoy course. Entrants can paddle any board of their choosing, including 12'6″ and under, 14".

SUP Distance Race: (Sunday)
Competitors include a mixed bag of international talent and local hopefuls.
The Course is a scenic but challenging 8-mile course from The Descanso Beach Club to Long Point, then a down-winder back.

Everyone who enters The Catalina SUP Festival will receive a free event t-shirt. A portion of event proceeds support The John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

For More Information:
Media contact: Chris Lyman, Lyman PR
Chris@lymanpr.com

Event contact: Brandon von Guenthner Event Cordinator
Events@scico.com