By Kayla Kinsey
Staff Writer
Participants from across the world came to Southern California on Aug. 29 to take part in the Catalina Classic, a historic paddleboard marathon that runs a 32-mile track from Catalina Island’s Isthmus cove to Manhattan Beach Pier.
The Catalina Classic is considered the oldest paddleboard race in the world by the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Association, a philanthropic organization associated with the race. The Association accrues donations to local non-profit organizations involved in water safety and education such as the L.A. County Junior Lifeguard Scholarship Fund and The Manhattan Beach Roundhouse Aquarium. This year marked the 44th annual anniversary of the Catalina Classic race with 88 initial entrees and 76 participants who completed the event. One of these participants was former Costa student and past member of the Catalina Classic Committee Board, Scott Rusher, who completed the race in 17th place, with a time of 7:02.00.
“Of the seventeen times I have done this race, this one hurt the most,” Rusher said. “When first coming into it, you could tell it wasn’t going to be pretty. Unfortunately, Sunday was bad from the start with wind on our left shoulder and swell.”
Participants in the race train and build endurance for several months to be strong enough to push through the water for long periods of time, according to Rusher. The paddlers took an average of five to nine hours to reach the finish line. To officially complete the race, contestants have to finish the course in under nine hours. This year, former USC swimmer Scott Clausen took first place, finishing with a time of 5:38.00.
“My training is pretty miserable because I put two bungee cords on my board to slow me down,” says Rusher. “[My training] was a huge advantage for me under the conditions [during the race]. Six months of misery for six hours of glory.”
Matt Wheeler, English teacher at Costa, participated in the Catalina Classic in 2010, 2011, and 2013. According to Wheeler, the weather conditions of his years participating in the race were relatively mild, but still challenging.
“I could obviously say that I learned through hard work, commitment and openness to a challenge that I can do a pretty tough thing like paddling 32 miles across the ocean, but I’m not so sure that’s the most meaningful part for me,” Wheeler said. “I really do think it’s the opportunity this sport uniquely offers its athletes to communicate with one of the most mysterious and mythical realms on this planet: the ocean. I’ve learned to relate to the ocean, my favorite ecosystem on this planet, in new and powerful ways.”
Bob Hogan, a Manhattan Beach resident, was the original founder of the Catalina Classic. Hogan and the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce held the first race in 1955 to bring positivity and attention to the beach community. However, the race faced a decline in 1960 due to the passing of Cliff Webster, one of its primary supporters. In 1981, board builder, freediver and paddler Joe Bark, helped resurrect the race.
“Joe Bark is one of the fundamental guys with a craftsman background to make the boards,” Rusher.said. “From 1981 [onwards], Joe has continued to make boards for 99.9% of the paddlers out there. He was instrumental in the resurrection of the race and has helped the race stay alive.”
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