Registration Open for August Paddleboard Race

Avid Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach paddleboarders can now prepare for one of the largest paddleboard events in the South Bay this summer as registration opened last week for the Velzy-Stevens Paddleboard Championships in August. 

The race, which takes place during the International Surf Festival on Aug. 5, will start at the end of the Manhattan Beach pier and end on the beach south of the Hermosa Beach pier, according to the International Surf Festival's website.

"Paddleboard racing has been one of the fastest growing sports," the site says.  "The demand for races and the increased number of participants make this paddle one of the most popular events of the International Surf Festival," claims the site.

The race features male and female divisions in four different classes including unlimited class, stock class, soft boards class and standup boards class.

According to the International Surf Festival's website, a limited number of soft paddleboards will be available at the Manhattan Beach Pier the morning of the race on a first-come, first-served basis.  All other racers are expected to provide their own boards.

All entries for the race must be received by Aug. 4 to avoid late registration charges and applications can be found on the International Surf Festival's website.