THE SOUTH BAY PADDLE

2025 Race Info
June 21st, 2025
Hermosa Beach Pier

15 mile race or 2 mile race

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The South Bay Paddle, a 15 mile race, was created in 2018 to be a local qualifier for the Catalina Classic 32 Mile Open Ocean Paddleboard Race. The race takes place in June and begins at the southside of Hermosa Beach Pier, runs south parallel to the beach to Palos Verdes, then heads west to the R10 buoy, and straight back to Hermosa Pier. Matt Walls and Scott Rusher are longtime veterans of paddleboard races in the area and are co-directors of this very popular event. A shorter 3 mile race was added in 2019 to accommodate those interested in getting a taste of paddleboarding without committing to a long distance paddle.

The South Bay Paddle long course race is a fun and challenging 15-mile  “hands only” prone paddleboard race. The race starts on the south side of the Iconic Hermosa Beach pier and heads south along the beautiful coastline of Hermosa and Redondo Beach.  At Torrance Beach and the PV Beach Club, the race will head west along the majestic cliffs of Palos Verdes to the famous R10 buoy.  

From the R10 buoy the course heads north mirroring the final stretch of the world famous Catalina Classic paddleboard Race course and finishing back at the Hermosa Beach Pier. 

The South Bay Paddle is open to all prone paddlers.  Race Divisions include; Stock, 14ft, and Unlimited paddleboards.

The South Bay Paddle is a great training paddle for Rock 2 Rock and is a qualifying race for the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race.

The South Bay Paddle short course race is a fun 2 mile "hands only" prone race for those not quite ready for the challenging 15 mile long course race.  The short course race  starts 30 minutes after the long course race on the south side of the Hermosa Beach pier. The race heads south along the beautiful coastline of Hermosa Beach and makes a 180 degree right turn at the Yellow T single pin buoy by the Redondo Beach breakwater and then race back to the beach finish line on the south side of the Hermosa Beach pier.  

This race is put on by paddlers, for paddlers and would not be possible without the support of the South Bay Boardriders club.