Big Kahuna Triathlon Distances
The Big Kahuna is a long course triathlon consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run. Please click on the links above for specific information or maps for the Swim, Bike or Run courses.
Big Kahuna AquaBike
In 2005, USA Triathlon offered a pilot program called the AquaBike. Eventsin the AquaBike program give athletes the opportunity to compete in a category that comprises the swim and bike portions of the race, but omits the run portion of the race. The Big Kahuna is proud to participate in this program by offering an AquaBike category!
- The Big Kahuna AquaBike: Swim - 1.2 miles and Bike - 56 miles
- Entries in the Big Kahuna AquaBike will be limited.
- Awards will be given to the top three(3) male and female finishers.
Location
The event starts and finishes near the historic Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA. The courses are almost entirely coastal with breathtaking views of the rugged California coast, lighthouses and a dramatic finish at the main stage of the Beach Boardwalk. Visit the Directions page for maps, parking information and driving instructions.
Training
Packet Pick-UP
Packet pick-up will take place during the Big Kahuna Expo on Saturday, September 8th from 10am to 6pm at Depot Park at 119 Center Street. Each individual must pick-up his/her own packet and show a photo ID on Saturday, September 8th, including each member of a Relay Team. Packet pick-up WILL NOT be available on Sunday, September 9th before the race. Race packets will contain your designated swim cap, timing chip, bike tags, runner's bib and your commemorative Big Kahuna t-shirt.
USAT
Event sanctioning and insurance compliance require every participant of a USA Triathlon sanctioned event to be a member of USA Triathlon and to present a photo ID. NO PHOTO ID, NO RACE, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Race Start Time
Sunday, September 9th at 7:00am on the Santa Cruz Main Beach east of the wharf. There will be a MANDATORY MEETING at 6:45am at the start line for last minute race instructions along with current course condition reports. Plan to arrive 1-2 hours prior to the start. You need time to park, check in, drop your bike, get marked etc. The event will start at 7:00am sharp!
Swim Waves
-
7:00: Men 24 & Under/Elite
- 7:05: Men 25-29
- 7:10: Men 30-34
- 7:15: Women 34 & under
- 7:20: Men 35-39
- 7:25: Men 40-44
- 7:30: Women 35 and above
- 7:35: Men 45 and above
- 7:40: Athena / Clydesdales / Relays
- 7:45 AquaBike
Bike Info
The Bike Segment is a 56-mile scenic tour of the California coastline beginning at Depot Park and across the West Cliff Bridge. The course winds its way through the surrounding West side neighborhoods, then north on Hwy. 1 to the turnaround at Pigeon Point Lighthouse and returning back the same route to the Depot Park transition zone.
Elevation
The bike course is a scenic tour of the California coastline consisting of mostly flat terrain through the Santa Cruz neighborhoods and rolling hills along HWY. 1. There are no significant climbs on the course but there is the potential for strong headwinds when traveling north.
Aid Stations
There are three aid stations on the bike course. Mile 12 will offer fresh water bottles and Hammer HEED. Mile 27 located before the turnaround at Pigeon Point will offer fresh water bottles, Hammer Gel and bananas. Mile 44 at Davenport on the return will offer fresh water bottles. Participants are strongly advised to carry food sufficient for the distance. If you discard an empty water bottle at the exchange, please use the designated area. Your bottle will not be returned to you, so make sure to use an old bottle. No private vehicles or assistance to riders will be allowed on the bike course, including Hwy. 1. Failure to comply is grounds for disqualification
Traffic
The bike course is partially closed to vehicular traffic. The exceptions are Hwy. 1 and a few managed intersections. Cyclist will have free flow access and right of passage through the course. Local law enforcement and/or race officials will be managing intersections. Cyclists should be aware of vehicular traffic and stay in the available bike lanes at all times. The California Highway Patrol will be active on Hwy. 1 and will enforce all traffic laws. Be aware that blocking vehicular traffic by riding abreast is illegal. Cyclists must follow the instructions of race officials and law enforcement officers at all times
Time Limit
Athletes MUST return to the transition zone from the bike segment no later than 1:00PM regardless of start time (last wave starts at 7:40AM). No athletes will be allowed to begin the run after the 1:00PM cut-off time.
Run Info
The Run Segment is 13.1-mile out and back beginning at the Transition Area at Depot Park and heading across the West Cliff Bridge to the West Cliff Path. From there, it’s a primarily flat, fast, coastal run along the West Cliff path around Natural Bridges State Park, through the surrounding community, along an access path to Wilder Ranch State Park for the dramatic turnaround on the rugged ocean bluffs. Runners will then return on the same route to a dramatic finish on the beach in front of the main stage at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.
Aid Stations
Water, Hammer HEED, Hammer gel and assorted fruits will be provided at the following 9 aid stations during the run as follows:
• Transition Area at Depot Park (Water. Hammer HEED, Bananas)
• Lighthouse Field (Water)
• West Cliff (Water, Hammer HEED)
• Shaffer (Water, Hammer Gel, Bananas)
• Wilder Ranch (Water, Hammer HEED)
• Wilder Ranch (Water, Hammer HEED)
• Shaffer (Water, Hammer Gel, Bananas)
• West Cliff (Water, Hammer HEED)
• Lighthouse Field (Water)
Traffic
The Run Segment is fairly clear of vehicular traffic. For the most part, you will be running along paved designated footpaths. Only the final .2 miles is on the sand. The path on West Cliff Drive, however, is NOT closed to other pedestrian or bicycle traffic. Runners are asked to stay to the right on the path and pass on the left when it’s clear. Once you are past Natural Bridges, you will be relatively clear of other pedestrian, vehicle and bicycle traffic. Please follow the instructions of law enforcement officers and race officials.
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. For up to date weather conditions in Santa Cruz, visit www.accuweather.com.
Overall Awards
The top three male and female finishers will be celebrated on the podium of the main stage with some truly original island-style awards and ceremonies. The awards ceremony usually begins around 2:30pm.
Age Divisions Awards
Top three male and female competitors in the following age divisions will also receive a truly island-style award on the main stage at 2:00pm.
- 19 & Under
- 20-24
- 25-29
- 30-34
- 35-39
- 40-44
- 45-49
- 50-54
- 55-59
- 60-64
- 65-69
- 70+
Relays
All male, all female, and coed teams, 2-3 members per team.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the Charity of Choice for the Big Kahuna Triathlon. Help raise money towards cures for blood cancers and receive a sports training program that provides an experience of a lifetime. Visit www.teamintraining.org for program details.
Aloha and welcome to the 2012 Big Kahuna Triathlon!
Sunday, September 9th - Triathlon Online Registration
Register through Racemine.com
2012 Triathlon Registration - Active.com
Online Registration closes September 4, 2010 at midnight!
Register online until September 4th, or in person at the Big Kahuna Expo in Santa Cruz, September 8th at Depot Park.
Online Registration Fees
- $185.00 before December 31st, 2010
- $200 January 1st - March 27th, 2012
- $225 March 31st - September 4th, 2012
- $250 At the Big Kahuna Expo (Sept 10th)
Relay Fees
- $250 Before December 31st, 2010
- $275 January 1st - March 27th, 2012
- $300 March 31st - September 4th, 2012
- $340 At the Big Kahuna Expo (Sept 10th)
Aqua Bike Fees
- $150 Before December 31st, 2010
- $170 January 1st - March 27th, 2012
- $190 March 31st - September 4th, 2012
- $200 At the Big Kahuna Expo (Sept 10th)
Mail-in Registration
Mail-in registration forms must be post marked by September 1st.
Download the Mail-in Entry From - PDF Format
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 Triathlon - $50.00
ALL REGISTERED ATHLETES MUST PICK UP THEIR RACE PACKET AT THE BIG KAHUNA EXPO. NO RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP.
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.
Times & Location
The Big Kahuna Expo will take place on Saturday, September 8th from 10am to 6pm at Depot Park located at 119 Center Street Santa Cruz, CA 95006.
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 ONLY during the Big Kahuna Expo on Saturday, September 8th. Race packets will contain your designated swim cap, timing device, bike tags, runner's bib and your commemorative Big Kahuna t-shirt. Pre-purchased parking passes will also be available at the Expo.
The Big Kahuna Triathlon starts and finishes near the historic Beach Boardwalk at 400 Beach Street in Santa Cruz, California. The Big Kahuna Transition Area is located at Depot Park at 119 Center Street. NEW this year -- The Big Kahuna Expo on Friday, September 8th and Saturday, September 9th is in the Cowell's Beach parking lot, at the intersection of Pacific and Beach Streets, next to the municipal wharf.
For a map of the Beach Boardwalk, click here.
For a map of the Santa Cruz area, click here. (PDF 370k)
Expo Directions for Saturday, September 8th at Depot Park
- From Hwy 1 or Hwy 17
- Exit at Ocean Street heading south
- Right onto Broadway
- Left onto Center Street
Race Day Directions for Sunday, September 9th 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
Race Day Directions for Sunday, September 9th at Depot Park
- 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 limited parking available at Depot Park on race day. Parking is $5 all-day and 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 $12. All lots will be open and accessible on Saturday, September 8th. On Sunday, September 9th, race participants and spectators can park in the Beach Boardwalk lot or at/near Depot Park. Metered parking is also available on city streets both days.