In 1981, the Outrigger Canoe Club began sponsoring a new paddleboard race over a course capitalizing on the surf at Old Man’s, thus differing from the Waikiki 10,000 meter races in August and December. Racers rounded a flag outside the lineup and passed through the surf during three round trips for a total distance of about 1.5 miles, all within the complete view of spectators on shore.
The first race was held on June 13, 1981. The race continued until 2004.
In 2005 the race became a two-person relay. The course was the same and both members of the team completed the same course. They then each repeated the course. Paddlers could catch waves on the way back in which made it very exciting for spectators. To encourage more participation by youth, a Junior Division was added in 2006.
In 2007, the race course changed. Paddlers lined the OCC beach and paddled out the Channel to the Kapahulu Groin and back to the Club where the second member of the team completed the second lap. Then they each repeated the course.
After the 2007 race, the event was put on hiatus while the Paddleboard Committee concentrated its efforts on the Cline Mann Memorial Ko`olaupoko Race from Makapuu to the Club.
In 2013, the Committee decided to follow Cline Mann’s lead and restart the summer surf paddleboard race and named it the Summer Scratch Fest. This time the focus was on the fun of paddling and catching waves and drew juniors as well as experienced paddlers. The course was the original course, out the Kapua Channel and around a buoy outside of Old Man’s with a return to the beach. Each member of the team paddled two laps. Scratch Fest was intended to revive interest in paddleboarding for members who just wanted to have fun and to give youngsters a chance to experience the sport. Categories included Under 18, Same Last Name, Total Combined Ages Under 75 and Total Combined Ages Over 75.
In 2014, the Paddleboard Committee began holding a Junior Clinic prior to the race to teach young kids how to paddle, turn around the buoy, pass on the team jersey to the next paddler and how to have a good time doing it. After the clinic, teams were selected and kids paddled around the windsock and back to the beach practicing what they learned in the clinic.
Summer Surf Paddleboard Race Results by Year
Summer Surf Relay Race Results by Year
Scratch Fest Results by Year
OCC Magazine Articles