The first-ever Green Buoy Battle made a powerful debut in Dana Point, celebrating community, mentorship, and the deep ocean heritage that defines Southern California paddling. Hosted by Candice Appleby and Ocean Academy, the event launched from the sandy shoreline of Baby Beach and sent competitors on a 3.25-mile open-ocean course around the iconic Green Buoy — a familiar marker for locals and a rite of passage for new ocean athletes.
Blending history with innovation, the race carried a meaningful link to the past: Hennessey’s Tavern, the Title Sponsor, was once a driving force in early paddleboard racing decades ago. Their return brought the sport’s legacy full circle, adding heart and nostalgia to a brand-new course design.
A Race Format for Every Paddler
The Green Buoy Battle welcomed paddlers across SUP, Prone, OC1, V1, and Surfski divisions — a true multi-craft gathering aimed at unifying the ocean community. Athletes could choose between two distinct challenges:
Single Run – 3.25 Miles
Perfect for new ocean paddlers, flatwater athletes transitioning to open water, and seasoned legends who didn’t feel the need to double up. Accessible, exciting, and confidence-building.
Double Run – 6.5 Miles
A two-lap battle of strategy and stamina. Each lap featured its own race start, demanding mental and physical grit. Final rankings were determined by combined times from both rounds.
Even with a major freeway closure that stranded several San Diego athletes, many paddlers navigated long detours to make it to the start line. Those who couldn’t arrive in time were missed — and the community carried their spirit with them.
A Start Line to Remember
The event opened with the Star-Spangled Banner, a Morning Blessing, and what many described as the most electric “Start Line of all Start Lines.” Supported by volunteers, boat captains, safety teams, and media crews, the entire day unfolded seamlessly from first horn to final award.
Event Mission: Inspire, Mentor, and Grow the Paddling Community
Ocean Academy built the Green Buoy Battle with a clear purpose:
empower new athletes, strengthen ocean literacy, and create a grassroots race where mentorship and community take center stage.
The event was designed not only to test skill and endurance, but to help paddlers of all ages step confidently into the ocean — guided by leaders who care as much about people as performance.
Race Results & Awards
| Rank | Athlete | Age Group | Gender | Category | Overall 2 Runs |
| 1 | Thiago Giacomellii | Masters (40-49) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:06:05.64 |
| 2 | Soryn Preston | Youth (17 & Under) | f | SUP 14′ | 01:08:22.69 |
| 3 | Dennis Gibson | Open (18-39) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:08:49.21 |
| 4 | Bo Weidner | Masters (40-49) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:09:27.95 |
| 5 | Juerg Geser | Sr.Masters (50-59) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:10:50.35 |
| 6 | Blake Hacker | Masters (40-49) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:10:54.86 |
| 7 | Paul Pianowski | Masters (40-49) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:11:38.30 |
| 8 | Lindsay Weidner | Open (18-39) | f | SUP 14′ | 01:13:30.37 |
| 9 | Bill Mcgrath | Golden Masters (60-69) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:14:03.83 |
| 10 | Olya Raskina | Masters (40-49) | f | SUP 14′ | 01:14:42.19 |
| 11 | Jaime Donnelly | Masters (40-49) | f | SUP 14′ | 01:14:52.21 |
| 12 | TJ Barcanic | Masters (40-49) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:16:06.01 |
| 13 | Sean Arnold | Golden Masters (60-69) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:16:24.04 |
| 14 | Anthony Forcier | Golden Masters (60-69) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:17:32.39 |
| 15 | Vicki Mills | Sr.Masters (50-59) | f | SUP 14′ | 01:17:32.97 |
| 16 | Dave Anderson | Golden Masters (60-69) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:17:52.03 |
| 17 | Anthony Scaturro | Sr.Masters (50-59) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:17:52.32 |
| 18 | Jeffrey Sargeant | Legends (70+) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:18:15.58 |
| 19 | Daniel Davis | Sr.Masters (50-59) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:18:18.86 |
| 20 | Kristin Thomas | Golden Masters (60-69) | f | SUP 14′ | 01:19:57.18 |
| 21 | Michael Markunas | Golden Masters (60-69) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:20:15.50 |
| 22 | Brenda Jin | Open (18-39) | f | SUP 14′ | 01:21:00.94 |
| 23 | Phil Vanhoey | Sr.Masters (50-59) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:21:07.24 |
| 24 | Barrie Williams | Legends (70+) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:22:05.59 |
| 25 | Lynann Buckles | Masters (40-49) | f | SUP 12’6″ | 01:22:18.85 |
| 26 | Juni Banico | Sr.Masters (50-59) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:23:00.22 |
| 27 | Armando Berriz | Sr.Masters (50-59) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:27:33.53 |
| 28 | Aaron Shepherd | Sr.Masters (50-59) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:27:59.63 |
| 29 | Bill Clements | Masters (40-49) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:28:07.61 |
| 30 | Shannon Bannan | Open (18-39) | f | SUP 12’6″ | 01:30:34.82 |
| 31 | Gregory Benedict | Masters (40-49) | m | SUP 14′ | 01:31:04.30 |
| 32 | Kara Clark | Masters (40-49) | f | SUP 14′ | 02:03:32.07 |
Fastest in the Water Awards 🏆🌊
Recognizing the single fastest lap of the day among Double Run competitors:
OC1
- Female: Brandi Baksic — 0:26:53 (Race 1)
- Male: Danny Ching — 0:24:07 (Race 1)
SUP
- Female: Soryn Preston — 0:33:35 (Race 1)
- Male: Thiago Giacomelli — 0:32:31 (Race 2)
Prone
- Female: Rachael Tilly — 0:41:14 (Race 1)
- Male: Jake Keville — 0:37:24 (Race 1)
SurfSki
- Female: Ava Crellin — 0:26:08 (Race 1)
- Male: Nate Errez — 0:22:51 (Race 1)
V1
- Female: Ann Matteson — 0:33:32 (Race 1)
- Male: Saul Dobson — 0:27:03 (Race 1)
Special Awards
Spirit of the Battle Award
Cynthia Piana — honored for completing her first open-ocean race with courage and positivity. Cynthia was one of the driving inspirations behind the creation of the Green Buoy Battle.
Spirit of Ocean Academy Award
Tony Cavalier — celebrated for his mentorship, enthusiasm, creativity, and his essential role in shaping the event’s visual identity and spirit.