Santa Cruz Paddlefest Ocean Race Returns in Spectacular Fashion
Santa Cruz, California – March 28, 2026 — After six years of absence, the Ocean Race made its long-awaited return to the Santa Cruz Paddlefest this past weekend — and it didn’t just come back, it came back with force.
With a sold-out, permit-limited field of 100 competitors, the race immediately reclaimed its place as one of the most iconic and demanding events in ocean paddling. Athletes traveled from across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Denmark, drawn by the promise of a true test of skill, strategy, and ocean knowledge along Santa Cruz’s legendary coastline.
Originally launched in 2012 and rooted in a paddling festival that dates back to 1985, the Ocean Race has long been part of the fabric of Santa Cruz ocean culture. This year, it returned deeper, more competitive, and more meaningful than ever.
“So excited to bring the ocean race back to the Paddlefest after a 6-year hiatus,” said Event Director Bryon Dorr. “We had a deep field of talented racers from around the world. Not only did we sell out, but set a new racer record for the event. So happy the community showed up in such a big way.”
From the start, there was a different kind of energy on the water. In a rare format, all disciplines shared the course at the same time, creating a dynamic and constantly shifting race environment. SUP, prone, OC1, and surfski athletes all found themselves navigating the same ocean, each on their own line, yet part of the same story.
The course itself delivered everything Santa Cruz is known for. SUP and prone racers tackled a three-lap, 4.5-mile course with beach starts, beach flag turns, and a dramatic finish through the shore break. OC1 and surfski competitors pushed through a longer 7.5-mile version, stretching out to a wider first buoy before merging back into the shared rhythm of the race.
Threes great names in the sport of SUP
Christian Andersen: OG SUP Racer since he was a teenager. Took the torch from legendary Casper Steinfath.
Marie Carmen Rivera: New Generation of SUP Powerhouse and fastest women of 2025.
Candice Appleby: Original SUP Athlete and legend of the Sport. One of the best the sport has ever seen.
📸 Bryon Dorr
Conditions lined up beautifully. A light morning breeze gave way to clean, manageable water, but the ocean still demanded respect. The stretch near Steamer Lane and Indicators proved especially technical, with kelp beds and shifting swell forcing athletes to constantly adapt. Every lap required decisions — and every mistake came at a cost.
Then came the beach finishes — always a defining moment in ocean racing. Some athletes timed their runs perfectly, gliding onto the sand with precision. Others battled the shore break, caught between waves and exhaustion, putting on a show for the crowd lining the beach.
At the front of the race, it was Denmark’s Christian Andersen, riding for NSP, who set the tone early and never let go. In a standout international performance, he crossed the line first, claiming the overall men’s victory.
On the women’s side, Marie Carmen Rivera of Puerto Rico, representing Infinity SUP, delivered one of the strongest performances of the day. Not only did she win the women’s division, but she also placed fourth overall in the SUP field — a clear statement about the depth and level of competition.
Women’s Overall SUP Results
- Marie Carmen Rivera (Puerto Rico) – Infinity
- Lindsay Widner (San Juan Capistrano, CA) – Infinity
- Tiffany Cleveland (Sausalito, CA) – SIC
- Brenda Jin (San Diego, CA) – Infinity
- Rachel Cantore (Bluffton, South Carolina) – NSP
- Sarah Filion (San Clemente, CA) – Infinity
- Rebecca Parsons (Santa Cruz, CA & Honolulu, Hi) – Infinity
- Mizuki Hayakawa (Sunnyvale, CA) – Starboard
- Kristin Thomas (San Diego, CA) – Infinity
- Savannah Linsey (Menlo Park, CA)
Men’s Overall SUP Results
- Christian Andersen (Denmark) – NSP
- Cameron Carney (Canada) – NSP
- Campbell Carter (Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina) – Infinity
- Dan Miller (Canada) – NSP
- Bo Weidner (San Juan Capistrano, CA) – Infinity
- David Wells (San Francisco, CA) – Infinity
- CJ Feller (Dana Point, CA) – Infinity
- Dennis Gibson (Dana Point, CA) – Infinity
- Paul Pianowski (Huntington Beach, CA) – Infinity
- Blake Hacker (Corona Del Mar, CA) – Infinity
Beyond the results, the race carried real weight on the national level. Athletes competing in the open divisions earned points toward USA Surfing’s SUP Race Series, while the event also counted toward the USA SUP Southwest Regional Race Series — adding another layer of intensity to an already stacked field.
But what made the event truly stand out was the community.
Santa Cruz showed up.
The West Cliff Surf Lifesaving Club brought a strong group of young athletes into the mix, especially in prone and surfski, giving a glimpse into the future of the sport. Local outrigger club Kua Nalu added depth and pride in the OC1 division, reinforcing the connection between the race and the local water community.
Even the industry stepped onto the start line. Epic Kayaks, one of the event’s sponsors, didn’t just support from the sidelines — with Kenny Howell taking the win in the Men’s Legends (60+) surfski division, proving that passion for the sport runs deep across all levels.
“Yesterday’s Santa Cruz Paddlefest Paddleboard Race was an absolute standout — perfect conditions, high energy, and a fiercely competitive field,” said Duke Brouwer, the original race director.
The event was led by Candice Appleby of Ocean Academy, marking a full-circle moment for one of the sport’s most respected figures.
“This event was really special for me,” Appleby said. “To come back as race director for such a prestigious event in such an incredible location was truly meaningful.”
She also highlighted the next generation stepping up:
“Seeing Ocean Academy athletes take on a completely new format — with beach flag transitions and dynamic ocean conditions — made me incredibly proud.”
Kristin Thomas of the USASUP Board of Directors summed it up clearly:
“We don’t have enough of these technical ocean races. This format was so fun, and we’re stoked to include it in the Southwest Regional Race Series.”
We thank Candice and Byron for the Support and Content. It takes a community to keep our sport going. Be part of this community and support the Stand Up Magazin today.
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