The 2008 Catalina Classic 32 Mile Paddleboard Championship brought to you by Honolua Surf Company sets participant and fundraising benchmarks while seeing near record finishing times.

The world’s most historic paddleboard race had more race applicants this year than any other year since it’s inception in 1955. With over 100 entry forms submitted, a record 96 paddlers successfully made the crossing from Catalina to Manhattan Beach. Race Director Kyle Daniels comments “This year is the first year I can ever that all the paddlers who entered finished the race”, Daniels continued, “it’s a pretty incredible feeling as a Race Director to watch all 96 participants cross the finish line.” The previous record number of finishers was a far cry from 2008’s number with only 72 completing the race.

In addition to a successful crossing, the Catalina Classic set a new benchmark as it relates to raising funds for its key charities. With an aggregate almost $100,000 raised for the Sarcoma Alliance and The Jimmy Miller Foundation, Continued to raise the bar and give back to the very important causes that are close to the paddleboard communities heart. Jimmy Miller Goundation Chairman Jeff Miler is overwhelmed by the community support, “Every year I am so impressed by the generosity of the paddleboard community. The Classic participants have a busy year training already and to see them put such effort into the causes they care about says a lot about paddleboarders a a whole, and we cannot thank them enough.”

In addition to record fundraising and entries, the 2008 race was greeted with incredible conditions resulting in some of the fastest time ever. Champions Chad Carvin in the Unlimited Class came a within minutes of the record time with a 5:04 finish, while Stock winner Mike Carr made the crossing in 5:57, just 2 minutes shy of the stock record. In the wormen’s division JoAnne Ambrosi ousted her fellow female paddlers with a near record 6:36.

For those who could not be at the beach for the finish or whoe missed the updates online, Paddleboard.com just released the 2008 Catalina Classic Race presented by Honolua Surf Company video at:

This year’s race wouldn’t have been so successful without the support of our generous sponsors including Honolua Surf Co., Xcel, Dakine, Bark Ocean, Body Glove and Bud Light. Next year’s race promises to be another big one with several past champions planning on returning to the starting line. The 34th Catalina Classic will take place Sunday, August 30th, 2009. Check out the video and we’ll see you next year!

53 YEARS OF HISTORY
32 MILES OF OPEN OCEAN
LEGENDARY WATERMAN
USING ONLY THEIR HANDS…