Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge - Canceled for 2011
Unfortunately, this event has been canceled for 2011. We will process a full refund for the amount of your entry fee and mail checks out by Friday 8/26/11. If you had paid for the event through Schwaggle, Schwaggle has processed a full refund in the amount of $25 which you will see credited to your account also by Friday 8/26/11. The Schwaggle payment will come from Group Commerce.
Location
The event starts and finishes on Cowell's Beach in Santa Cruz, CA. Visit the Directions page for maps, parking information and driving instructions
Start Time:
- 8:00am - Cowell's Beach Rough Water Swim - .5 mile
- 8:30am - Cowell's Beach Rough Water Swim - 1 mile
- 9:45pm - Santa Cruz Pier Ocean Sprint Race
- 11:00am– Open Ocean Paddle/Stand Up Paddle - 5 mile
- 11:10am - Pier Paddle/Stand Up paddle - 2 Mile
WPA
Event sanctioning by World Paddle Association
Awards:
- SUP Paddle - 5 mile
- SUP Stock (12'6" or Under) - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- SUP Unlimited (Over 12'6") - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- Paddle - 5 mile
- Paddle Unlimited (Over 14') - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- Paddle Stock (12'6" or Under) - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- SUP Paddle - 2 mile
- SUP Stock (12'6" or Under) - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- SUP Unlimited (Over 12'6") - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- Paddle - 2 mile
- Paddle Unlimited (Over 12'6") - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- Paddle Stock (12'6" or Under) - Top three Over All - Male and Female
- Open Water - 1 mile & 2 mile
- Top three Over All - Male and Female
- Top three Age Group - Male and Female
- Age Groups: 19 and Under, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70+
- Open Water - .5 Mile
- Top three Over All - Male and Female
- Top three Age Group - Male and Female
- Age Groups: 19 and Under, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, Kapuna 60+
- Santa Cruz Pier Ocean Sprint
- Top three Over All - Male and Female, Top three Age Group - 19 and Under, 20 - 29, 30 - 39, 40 - 49, 50 - 59, Kapuna 60+
- Relays - Top Coed, Kane, Wahine
Weather Conditions
September is one of the best months to be in Santa Cruz. Not to worry, though… you won't boil out there. Average temperature for September is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Normal for that time of year would be a high of 76 and a low of 53.
- Sunrise:
- 5:38am 9-11-2010
- Sunset:
- 6:15pm 9-11-2010
- Average Temperatures:
- Hi 76 degrees Lo 52 degrees
- Average Water Temperatures:
- 59-60 degrees
- September 11th , 2010 Tides:
- Hi 4.6 @1:10am * Lo 1.4 @ 6:30am * Hi 5.8 @ 12:59pm *Lo -0.1 @ 7:30pm
Surf forecast provided by Surfline - www.surfline.com
Need a Board:
If you need a board and can't borrow one from a friend, the most convenient option is to rent one. Covewater Paddle Surf is a fully dedicated stand up paddleboard shop in Santa Cruz and has a large selection of rental paddleboards. Rentals are also available from Cowell's Beach Surf Shop and Club-Ed Surf School - both of which are close to Cowell's Beach. Surftech of Santa Cruz makes the best SUPs on the market and are available at Covewater. Details on Surftech's stand up paddleboards - SurfTech.
Packet Pick-Up
Packet pick-up will take place during the Big Kahuna Expo on Friday, September 10th from 1pm to 6pm at the Cowell's Beach parking lot or before the event on Saturday, September 11th, beginning at 7am. Each individual must pick-up his/her own packet and show a photo ID, including each member of a Relay Team. Race packets will contain your designated swim cap, timing chip, numbers and your commemorative Big Kahuna t-shirt.
Ocean Challenge Charities
The Santa Cruz State Junior Lifeguard, Monterey Junior Lifeguards and The Core are the Charities of Choice for the Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge.
Aloha and welcome to the 2011 Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge!
Saturday, September 10th - Online Registration
Register with Active.com Active
Online Registration ends September 5th at midnight!
Mail in registration: Soon!
Register online until September 5th, at the Big Kahuna Expo on September 9th (1pm to 6pm), or before the event on September 10th (beginning at 7am).
TIMES
- 8:00am - Cowell's Beach Rough Water Swim - 1/2 Mile
- 8:30am - Cowell's Beach Rough Water Swim - 1 Mile
- 9:45pm - Santa Cruz Pier Ocean Sprint Race
- 11:00am - Open Ocean Paddle/Stand Up Paddle - 5 Mile
- 11:10am - Pier Paddle/Stand Up paddle - 2 Mile
*All time may change due to tide conditions
DIVISIONS AND FEES
Open Water Swims:
- 1/2 Mile - $35
Age Group - Male and Female
- 1 Mile - $45
Age Group - Male and Female
Sprint Race:
- Santa Cruz Pier Ocean Sprint - $65
Age Group and Relay Teams - Male and Female
Paddle Board Races:
- SUP Paddle - 5 Mile - $55
SUP Stock (12'6" or Under)
SUP Unlimited (Over 12'6")
- Paddle - 5 Mile - $55
Prone Paddle Unlimited (Over 12'6")
Prone Paddle Stock (12'6" or Under)
- SUP Paddle - 2 Mile - $45
SUP Stock (12'6" or Under)
SUP Unlimited (Over 12'6")
- Paddle - 2 Mile - $45
Prone Paddle Unlimited (Over 12'6")
PronePaddle Stock (12'6" or Under)
REFUNDS
Entry fees are non-refundable.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Under no circumstances may you sell, trade or allow someone else to take your entry. Such substitutions jeopardize our insurance and our ability to secure the permits necessary to produce future events.
ROLLOVER CREDITS
If you cannot participate in an event for which you have registered, you may be eligible to receive a partial Rollover Credit, which may be applied towards any future Firstwave Events race. Rollover Credits may be applied toward any Firstwave Events race(s) at any time - there's no expiration on your credit. To retain a Rollover Credit, you must notify us of your intention to pull out of a race NO LATER THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT DATE.
If within the 30 days leading up to the event a medical reason, military deployment or death in the family will prevent your participation, you must notify us in writing and attach documentation (i.e. doctor's note, deployment notice) to support your claim. We must be in receipt of your written notice at least 72 hours before the published race start time. All requests for Rollover Credits for any reason besides medical, military deployment or death within 30 days of race day will be denied.
No credits will be issued within the last 72 hours prior to race start. A Rollover Fee will apply for all Rollover Credits (See chart below).
ROLLOVER FEES
The amounts listed below will be deducted from the original entry fee paid (less any online processing fees) to determine the remaining amount of credit:
Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge- $20.00
ALL REGISTERED ATHLETES MUST PICK UP THEIR RACE PACKET AT THE BIG KAHUNA EXPO.
The Big Kahuna Expo is an island-style open-air bazaar. See the latest in multi-sport equipment from the best in the business and spend the rest of the day visiting the wharf, soaking up some sun and riding the rides at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Time & Location
The Big Kahuna Expo will take place on Friday, September 9th from 2pm to 6pm at the Cowell's Beach Parking Lot located at the corner of Pacific and Beach streets next to the municipal wharf.
Directions to the Expo
Visit the Directions page for maps, parking information and driving instructions to the Big Kahuna Expo.
Packet Pick-Up
Packet pick-up will take place during the Big Kahuna Expo on Friday, September 9th from 2pm to 6pm and before the event on Saturday, September 10th begnning at 7am.
The Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge Post-Race Luau is the island style festival that awaits you at the finish line on Saturday, September 10th. Athletes will be treated to food and refreshments, plus plenty of live Hawaiian music and entertainment brought to you by Michelle Kiba and the Aloha Style Band right near the finish line.
Don't miss the award ceremony beginning at 12:30pm!
The Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge starts and finishes at Cowell's Beach in Santa Cruz, California. The Big Kahuna pre-event Expo is located in the Cowell's Beach parking lot at the corner of Pacific and Beach Streets next to the municipal wharf.
For directions to the Beach Boardwalk, click here.
For a map of the Santa Cruz area, click here. (PDF 370k)
Expo and Race Day Directions to Cowell's Beach Parking Lot
- From Hwy 1 or Hwy 17
- Exit at Ocean Street heading south
- Right onto Broadway
- Left onto Center Street
- Center becomes Pacific Street and crosses Beach Street at the wharf.
Expo and Race Day Directions to Boardwalk Parking
- From Hwy 1 or Hwy 17
- Exit at Ocean Street heading south
- Right on San Lorenzo Blvd.
- Left on Riverside Ave.
- Follow city signs to Boardwalk parking areas
Expo and Race Day Directions to Depot Park Parking
- From Hwy 1 or Hwy 17
- Exit at Ocean Street heading south
- Right onto Broadway
- Left onto Center Street
- Right into Depot Park Parking on the right hand side.
Parking
There is parking available at Depot Park. The daily fee is $5 and is paid for by purchasing a parking coupon at stations in the lot. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has several public lots and the daily parking fee is $11. All lots will be open and accessible on Friday and Saturday, September 9th and 10th. Metered parking is also available on city streets both days.
2010 Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge Results
Coming Soon
The Big Kahuna Ocean Challenge and Triathlon needs your help! We have a number of positions available on the race committee, or chose something a little less long-term … you make the call. Either way, volunteers receive a commemorative Big Kahuna Volunteer Shirt and a guaranteed memorable experience!
To volunteer, simply fill out our online form >