🏄‍♂️ Ultimate Guide to the Best Prone Paddleboard Races of 2025

Southern California's coastline is a haven for prone paddleboard enthusiasts, offering a plethora of races that cater to all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or a newcomer eager to dive into the sport, 2025 presents an exciting lineup of events. Here's a comprehensive guide to the top prone paddleboard races happening this year.

🌊 1. Malibu Downwinder – April 28, 2025

The season kicks off with the Malibu Downwinder, a classic race that offers a scenic route along the Malibu coastline. Paddlers can enjoy the thrill of downwind paddling in one of California's most picturesque settings. This event is perfect for those looking to start the season with a challenging yet enjoyable race.

🔁 2. The Loop – May 10, 2025 | Coronado, CA

The Loop is a unique 11.25-mile prone paddleboard race that circumnavigates Coronado Island. Starting from the Coronado Shores, paddlers journey out to the Zuniga Jetty, enter San Diego Bay, and navigate around North Island Naval Air Station before heading back to Glorietta Bay Park. This race is renowned for its community spirit, welcoming all skill levels and board types. It's a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself while enjoying the diverse marine environments of the area.

🏖️ 3. El Morro Classic – May 31, 2025 | Newport Beach, CA

Hosted by the Newport Aquatic Center, the El Morro Classic is a prestigious 15-mile prone paddleboard race that begins in Newport Harbor, ventures into the open ocean, and returns to the harbor. This race is a qualifier for the Catalina Classic, making it a significant event for those aiming to participate in the iconic 32-mile crossing. The course offers a mix of harbor navigation and open water conditions, providing a comprehensive challenge for competitors.

🌴 4. R-10 Paddleboard Race – June 7, 2025 | Torrance Beach, CA

Organized by the South Bay Boardriders Club, the R-10 Paddleboard Race offers both an 8-mile long course and a 2-mile short course, catering to a wide range of participants. The long course starts at Torrance Beach, heads southwest along the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the historic R10 buoy, and returns to Torrance Beach. The short course is designed for beginners and families, featuring a fun and supportive environment. This event is ideal for those looking to experience a race with a relaxed atmosphere while still enjoying the thrill of competition.

🎉 5. Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival – June 28–29, 2025

The Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival is a vibrant two-day event that celebrates beach culture with a variety of ocean sports competitions, including prone paddleboard races. The festival features multiple race formats, such as the Mike Vaughan Memorial 5-mile distance race and a 1-mile short course, catering to both competitive and recreational paddlers. Beyond the races, attendees can enjoy live music, food vendors, beach volleyball, and other family-friendly activities, making it a perfect weekend outing.

🏆 6. Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race – August 24, 2025 | Manhattan Beach, CA

The Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race is the premier and most historical paddleboard race in the world. On August 24, 2025, paddlers will leave the Isthmus cove on Catalina Island at 6:00 AM and paddle 32 miles to the Manhattan Beach Pier using only their hands to propel them through the water. Swells, currents, and wind conditions play into what is notoriously one of the most grueling endurance events in the world. Registration for Pre-Qualifiers is from May 15 to June 15, 2025, and for Open-Qualifiers from June 20 to July 20, 2025. All open-qualifiers will receive confirmation of race entry or be refunded by August 1st. Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Championships+3Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race+3Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race+3

🌺 7. Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships – July 27, 2025 | Hawaii

The Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships is the most challenging paddleboard event in the world. On July 27, 2025, paddlers will take on the iconic Ka’iwi Channel in the 26th Edition of the race. The race is open to both prone and SUP paddlers. For foil enthusiasts, the M2O Foil Edition will take place on July 20, 2025, featuring a new course starting from Kepuhi Beach on the west end of Molokai and finishing at Kaimana Beach outside of windsock. Registration for the M2O Foil Edition opens on March 15, 2025. SUPboarder Magazine+6Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Championships+6Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Championships+6Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Championships+1Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard Championships+1

🌊 8. Waterman Challenge – June 29, 2025 | San Diego, CA

The 29th Waterman Challenge Traditional Paddleboard Race will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2025, continuing its legacy as the longest running continuous paddleboard race in the world. Held on a 15-mile open ocean course from Swamis to Windansea, this event is beloved by traditional paddlers for its rugged beauty and the true "waterman" spirit it evokes.

9. Chattajack 31 – October 25, 2025 | Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattajack is a paddleboard/kayak race unlike any other. It is one that celebrates the effort a paddle athlete makes in the pursuit of distance endurance. Fueled with passion on the water, these individuals love to dig, testing their personal limits while completing this unique gorge course. Begins October 25, 2025

📅 Race Calendar Summary

When it comes to prone paddleboarding, few names carry as much weight and respect in the paddling community as Bark Paddleboards and Surftech. These two brands have played a monumental role in shaping the sport into what it is today—through innovative design, elite-level performance, and a deep-rooted connection to paddling culture.

🛶 Bark Paddleboards: Handcrafted for Performance

Founded by the legendary Joe Bark, Bark Paddleboards are known for their superior craftsmanship and time-tested performance. Joe, a lifelong waterman from Southern California, shaped boards that have carried countless champions to the finish line. From the sleek Commander series to the ultra-light custom race boards, Bark continues to be the gold standard in traditional and unlimited paddleboarding.

Whether you’re a beginner paddling your first shoreline or a Catalina Classic veteran, Bark boards are designed for power, glide, and resilience in open-ocean conditions.

🌊 Surftech: Innovation Meets Durability

Surftech, one of the most trusted and long-standing surf and paddleboard companies in the world, partnered with Joe Bark to make high-performance boards more accessible to paddlers everywhere. Using Tuflite construction, Surftech's Bark-designed boards offer strength without sacrificing weight—making them ideal for the rigors of long-distance races, downwind conditions, and cross-channel grinds.

Their collaboration brought legendary designs like the Bark Commander Pro and Bark Vapor to the mainstream market, allowing everyday paddlers to race on boards shaped by history and backed by decades of experience.

Why This Matters

The right board can make or break your race. And with Bark’s precision design and Surftech’s durable technology, paddlers are better equipped than ever to tackle the toughest courses—from the windswept Ka’iwi Channel in Hawaii to the iconic Catalina crossing.

Whether you're gearing up for your first event or aiming for a podium finish, there's no better way to start your race season than on a board that’s built to go the distance.