Paddle Articles

CP Explorations - Monterey to Morro Bay

Monterey to Morro BayJoin us on a Cali Paddler Exploration journey along the Big Sur Coastline. 4 day, 120 miles from Monterey to Morro Bay. From socked in fog, to gorgeous sunny days. Hillsides, cliffs, dolphins and sea otters. Helpful tailwinds to horrible up-winds. And a finish for the ages!

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CP Race Recap - Catalina Wild Buffalo Relay

Catalina Wild Buffalo Relay - Race RecapA little while back Cali Paddler did a thorough race preview of what paddlers could expect with this race. But to be honest nothing is quite as exciting as getting to hear what it was like by one of our own. Who doesn't like to talk paddling after spending all day paddling (#ifyoupaddleyougetit). So one day after finishing this 41 mile journey, Micah Winslow shared his experiences with us. Take a few minutes to get the scoop and see if it is a good fit for you in 2019.

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Paddling 100 miles at the Cal 100

Cal 100 Paddle Race
Have you been curious about California longest paddle race? An amazing 100, 50 or 25 mile amazing river experioence? Join John Acosta as he shares with us his experience of this awesome race and event benefiting Rivers for Change.

"Last week, it was announced that registration was now open for the 2017 Cal 100 paddle.  Therefore, I figured it was probably about time for me to write about my experience there during the 2016 event and hopefully help others prepare for their trip down the river."

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Race Recap - NorCal Juniors Come to Oceanside

NorCal Juniors Race OceansideCali Paddler welcomes back NorCal Junior Paddler Ruthie as she shares with us her recent race experience in Oceanside. -CP

"...I was in unfamiliar waters and had to read the water to feel how the canoe was going to react. Every race has its own meaning; they all won't be the same. They each have their own special moments...I am looking forward to all the adventures we all have ahead of us. The paddling journey is endless. Great things happen when they are most unexpected.."

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Another One for the Books - Kula Anela Race Recap

Kula Anela Outrigger Canoe RaceCali Paddler is honored to share this contribution from Priscilla Tran of Ke Kai O'Uhane after her recent race at Kula Anela (Angel Island) in San Francisco Bay. Enjoy being seat 1 with her in this awesome recap.

“So, who is gonna be our seat 1 for the race?”

All eyes are pointed towards me and finally someone spoke up and said, “You are.”

I heard myself say, “Ok,” but on the inside I was screaming, “Why me!  Why!  Why! Why!  What if I don’t do well enough for my crew?  What if I’m not strong enough for this?”

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Elements of Recovery - A Na Pali Bucket List Story

I'd like to think I have never taken paddling for granted. And the good health that lets me paddle. But I am sure over the years I have enjoyed this sport, I have done just that. Taken for granted our waters, the camaraderie of teammates, and the athleticism paddling provides me. So as you can imagine, when a back injury took away my ability to comfortably sit, stand, walk and paddle, I scolded myself for having not appreciated it even more.

Little did I know that a chance to paddle in a race I have dreamed about doing for 6 years would come along. And that I would be able to resume a paddling addiction that had been threatened in the year prior due to injury.

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Race Recap - Big Bear PaddleFest - Girls-SUPing & Camping!

Cali Paddler is stoked to be able to share this story from Maggie Adams of Blue Paddle SUP who recently went up to Big Bear PaddleFest and got to enjoy the race and the surrounding package. Check it out!

How many girls do you know want to go camping and SUP racing?! Well I know several who did at the Big Bear PaddleFest.  This race is held annually on Big Bear Lake in Big Bear Lake, California. This year was a very meaningful & emotional race for several of us because we had recently lost our good paddle friend Ray Noose to cancer. He attempted to do the 20K race last year, but they had to cancel it do to stormy conditions. 

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Race Recap: First time to Tahoe and to do a Standup Paddle Race

South Tahoe Summer SUP Series Gathering of the Tribes

Cali Paddler welcomes Team Writer Tiffany who took a trip to South Lake Tahoe to see what racing on this famous location was like. Altitude. Fresh Water. Fun crowd. AMAZING scenery. If you weren't there, see what you missed. If you were, well, relive it!

As I headed up to Lake Tahoe in the early hours of the morning - 4:15am to be exact - on the day before the first Tahoe Sup Series race of 2016, all I could think of was the lakes majestic blue and green waters. I had only been to Tahoe with my parents when I was maybe eight, so this in many ways was my first time getting to experience Tahoe. For those who have made the 8-10 hour drive you know it’s a long one but so worth it. Side note – it’s a crap shoot trying to drive there in the summer as many highways have construction going on to repair the roads from the winter and wild fires can be an issue causing long delays and/or detours.

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Race Recap - Jay Race Santa Cruz

Cali Paddler is stoked to have had a chance to hear from our friend Marie who recently went to Santa Cruz and did the Jay Race. Read our interview below about how this race is unlike most other races out there and what the scene was like.

2016 Jay Race Recap

CP: Hi Marie! We are stoked to hear about your recent trip to the Jay Race in Santa Cruz for a first time! What made you decide to go to this race?

I am fairly new to the OC1 racing scene so most local/mainland races i hear about through friends or good old Facebook. I had never heard of the Jay race till Charlie Banfield posted a link to the event page highlighting OC1’s and Surf skis were being included for the first time in the history of the event...

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