Aloha Captain Bill Kindel
The Catalina Classic Family mourns the loss of Captain Bill. Bill Kindel was a well respected soul for his strength, humor, humility, and commitment to detail amongst the paddling community in Southern California. Those who truly knew and loved him fondly called him "The Professor." We lost Bill Saturday evening- after his herculean effort to battle cancer- including trips to Germany and Australia for treatments not endorsed in the USA. A huge loss for us. Bill loved the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race and volunteered in many capacities over the years. He was an escort boat captain, a committee supporter, escort boat organizer, safety patrol boat, and for years generously donated the Captain hats for all the escort boats captains. In the Stingray Paddleboard Club, Bill was the eldest in the group and often one of the most powerful despite his age. We will keep him in our hearts forever and will always appreciate and remember his many contributions. He was generous of spirit and enjoyed sharing his love of the ocean with friends. As many have said , we are better for knowing him...he has left an indelible impression on us. Our heartfelt condolences to his family & friends. A paddle out is scheduled on October 6th, 2019, at 8am to celebrate the wonderful life of Bill Kindel. All are welcome to join us at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor!
Paddling In The Wake of Giants
1981 began the rebirth of the International Catalina Channel Paddleboard Race. The Manhattan Beach Chamber Of Commerce Executive, Trudy Smart, gave the original race bylaws and articles of incorporation( from the International Catalina Channel Paddleboard Race) to lifeguard lieutenant Buddy Bohn. Bohn consulted with many of the past competitors and current ocean Lifeguards and ocean athletes. After much encouragement, Lt. Bohn partnered with fellow Ocean Lifeguard and friend, Weldon Gibby Gibson, who had actually competed in the original races. Together they approached the LA County Lifeguard Association Trust Fund for their support and endorsement. All parties decided that the event should be attempted the summer of 1982. All agreed that the new bylaws, rules, and articles of incorporation should be as close to the originals as possible. They would call it what they all felt it was, The Catalina Classic Paddleboard Marathon. The paddle from Catalina to the Manhattan Beach Pier had not been officially attempted in twenty years, and much had changed since 1960. Several paddlers of that period made themselves available and the Lifeguards formed a committee of volunteers to begin the organization. Safety being the number one priority, the committee consulted with our ocean athletes that had been racing the channel during those previous twenty years. The Catalina Channel Swimming Federation was one such group and the National Dory Association was another. Their input was vital, with regard to escort support, communications, navigation, advanced life support, and general organization. The Swimming Federation’s format was the closest fit to the original paddles. The Dory Association’s race was really an annual lifeguard event with a two person crew rowing from [...]
Catalina Classic Race Dedications
Over the years, the paddling community has been inspired by so many extraordinary paddlers. We have been honored to have had most all of them race in the Catalina Classic. They are as follows: Year dedicated: 1999: Brendan Sullivan 200?: Tom Zahn 2004: Jimmy Miller 2007: Gibby Gibson 2009: Jeff Johnson 2013: Bob Meistrell Bob & Bill Meistrell 2014: Mike " Bones" Bright 2015: Mike Eaton 2016: Bob Hogan Bob Hogan the original founder of the Catalina Classic in 1955.
2019 Catalina Classic Registration Opens April 1, 2019
April Fooling aside, registration opens April 1st, 2019, for this year's Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race! As in year's past, if you completed last year's race (2018) within 9 hours, you will Not need to re-qualify, but you WILL need to registration and pay by May 31st, 2019. If you did NOT race last year, you WILL need to register as a non-qualified paddler by May 31st and complete at least one qualifying race. Details are listed on our website. So, start looking for your escort boat & crew..... they can make all the difference in having a successful race! We're looking forward to another challenging, fun, & safe race. See you on the water & keep paddling
Congratulations to the 2018 Finishers!
Catalina Classic Paddler, Congratulations on your 2018 channel crossing! You have joined an elite group of paddlers who have challenged themselves and accomplished this incredible feat since 1955. This year we had 90 paddlers start, 90 paddlers finish, with much better conditions than last year We hope you are stoked on your finish and look forward to having you race again at next year's Classic on Sunday, August 25th, 2019. Stay tuned to our website for future race updates. Yours in paddling, The Catalina Classic Committee
South Bay Paddle
There's new race in town....AND it's an official qualifier for this year's Catalina Classic Paddleboard race...it's happening Saturday, June 9th, at 7am, on the southside of Hermosa Beach Pier, it's the 1st Annual South Bay Paddle, benefiting SBBC. This 15 mile paddle is an official qualifier for the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race. Register at www.paddleguru.com/races/thesouthbaypaddle