A MASSIVE thanks to all, sponsors, competitors, volunteers, media partners, and everyone else that was a part of the 2026 Santa Cruz Paddlefest. It was a wildly successful event, and the stoke is high!

Join us and be part of the longest-running paddle surf competition on the planet. The 36th annual event is happening in March/April (TBD), 2027. Registration is planned for very early in the new year.

Since 1985, our world-famous venue in the heart of Santa Cruz, California, Steamer Lane, has drawn in elite athletes from around the globe to compete in kayak, SUP, and waveski surfing. This location also boasts a world-class intermediate surf break, Indicators, which attracts paddle surfers looking for competition and to develop their skills in our Cowell’s Classic event.

It’s not just about surfing, as we also hold a world-class ocean race for prone, SUP, OC1, and surfskis off of Cowell Beach.

This event is about and for the paddlesports community. We hope you can join us!