The world-famous Santa Monica Pier announced adventure athlete nutrition company Clif Bar as the name sponsor of the 8th annual Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race and Ocean Festival. Now in its 8th year, the event has become a must-do race for the top competitors in prone and stand up paddleboard racing as well as hundreds of open-ocean swimmers. The trajectory of the event has lead the similar trajectory of the sport of paddling. What was once a niche sport is now a huge global phenomenon enjoyed by millions. That growth is one of the aspects that attracted Clif Bar to become the name sponsor.
“Our company slogan is ‘Feed Your Adventure’ and we love to support events that are all about putting people in touch with their adventurous side,” said a company representative, "Paddleboarding is not only adventurous but it’s healthy, fun and brings people together. Those are all things that are important to us as a brand and to the Santa Monica Pier. We think it’s a perfect pairing and are very excited about this year’s event.”
This event has become one of the pre-eminent paddleboard races anywhere in the world. Top competitors come to the event from as far away as Hawaii, Mexico and Australia to compete for both glory and cash prizes. It’s not only pros, though, who win at the pier paddle. There are events and prizes for amateur paddlers as well as kids. Even non-water people can compete in beach games and other challenges on the beach.
“The Paddleboard Race & Ocean Festival has grown into a celebration of everything to do with the Southern California ocean lifestyle and our relationship with nature,” said Craig Hoffman, Director of Partnership & Development for the Santa Monica Pier. “Clif Bar is a natural fit as a sponsor, coming as they do from a background in climbing and the outdoors. We all believe that playing hard and having a great time together brings great rewards for both individuals and communities. It’s great to be working together with them.”
The all-day ocean festival takes place Saturday, June 10th, 2017 beginning at 8 AM on the beach south of the Santa Monica Pier. Last year’s event saw a number of incredible athletic performances as paddlers, swimmers and lifeguard dory racers fought it out in their respective events last year. The 2017 event will see a minimum of $15,000 in cash prizes awarded to finishers plus numerous special awards of other prizes in events such as lifeguard dory racing and run-swim-run. This is third year to include beach volleyball as an event.
The event benefits The Surfrider Foundation and the Bay Foundation. The Surfrider Foundation is a global non-profit decades spent fighting for coastal access and environmental issues. The Bay Foundation works locally to create and put into action innovative projects & policies for Santa Monica Bay that clean up our waterways, create green spaces in urban areas, and restore natural habitats both on land and under water.
On the pier deck, the historic and popular waterman’s museum returns, celebrating the long history of paddleboarding at the Pier since the 1940s and features antique surfboards, paddleboards, lifeguard equipment and vintage automobiles. Live music and an awards ceremony will follow the completion of the races for the top finishers in each of the divisions. Industry brand manufacturers will show off the latest in paddleboards and equipment.
For more information, visit www.pierpaddle.com.
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