EliteRaceMayhem_byPatHuber

Elite racers make a dash to the finish line at a past Battle of the Paddle. Photo: Pat Huber

EliteRaceMayhem_byPatHuber

Elite racers make a dash to the finish line at a past Battle of the Paddle. Photo: Pat Huber

The Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle debuts at its new location this weekend

By Andrea Swayne 

The 7th Annual Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle will be held in Dana Point, at Salt Creek Beach on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4 and 5.

From 7:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, stand-up paddlers, prone paddlers and SUP surfers from the sport’s elite ranks to open divisions and kids will gather for competition and entertainment.

Previously held at Doheny State Beach, Salt Creek, 33333 Pacific Coast Highway, is a new venue for the event.

The Battle of the Paddle includes a SUP expo, beer garden, Kids Zone, yoga area, live music, Polynesian dancing and more.

Elite racers will compete for a share of the more than $25,000 prize purse. Hand crafted trophies will be awarded in other divisions.

Free event parking is available at the Salt Creek Beach lot, the Strand Vista Park/Selva Road parking lot and at Dana Hills High School.

Shuttle buses will run every 20 minutes, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days of the event.

All registered participants are encouraged to drop-off their race boards at the event site Friday, Oct. 3. Rainbow Sandals will have 24-hour security available throughout the weekend to secure the equipment, event officials said.

Race day board drop-off will be located off Ritz-Carlton Drive inside the north Salt Creek Beach parking lot. Rainbow Sandals will transport boards from the drop-off area to the event board corral.

For registration and more information, including a full schedule of events, see www.battleofthepaddle.com.