“We put on these contests so that you can feel motivated to try out moves far beyond what you ever thought you could do.”
-Dennis Judson, March 2017
Surf
Steamer Lane Competition
The star event at the Santa Cruz Paddlefest (SCPF) is held at the world-famous Steamer Lane surf break (A Site) found along West Cliff Drive in the heart of Santa Cruz, California. Paddle surfers have flocked to Santa Cruz from around the globe for over 33 years to surf, compete, and connect with the paddle surf community at the SCPF.
Steamer Lane can hold double overhead+ sized waves, but also offers high-quality competition waves at much smaller sizes. It is the host to SCPF’s elite surfing competition of surf kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and waveskis. Each class competes separately through several 4-5 person, 20-minute surf heats over 3 days of competition. Surf competitors are guaranteed 2 heats, with more possible if they do well.
Categories
SUP: Open, Women, Masters Open (40+)
Kayak: Open HP, Women HP, Open IC, Women IC, Open Masters (40+), Masters Women (40+)
Waveski: Open, Women, Masters (40+)
Cowells Classic Competition
The Cowells Classic is a 2-day surf competition for intermediate paddle surfers at the Indicators surf break (B Site), which is located just inside the Steamer Lane break. The waves here can be world-class, but are always considerably smaller and less consequential than at the Lane. This allows the event to help foster the growth of the next generation of Steamer Lane competitors and grow the paddle surf community in a fun and friendly location. Again, competitors are guaranteed two 20-minute heats, with more possible based on performance and registration numbers.
Categories
SUP: Open, Women, Youth (U18)
Kayak: Open, Women
Waveski: Open, Women
Kayak/Waveski Open: Youth (U18)
