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A Record Year at the South Bay Paddle


South Bay Paddle 2024

Max First and Lance Lerum leading the charge


The South Bay Paddle is a popular Catalina qualifier- it’s a mid-length, mid-season race that boasts a lot of local talent as well as a good out of town showing to make a solid competitive field. The course finishes with the stretch from the R-10 to Hermosa Pier, which gives future Catalina Classic competitors a taste of that final 10 miles of the 32 mile Classic course, which ends just under 2 miles further north at Manhattan Pier. 


South Bay Paddle 2024

George Plsek is no stranger to the R10 Buoy


Favorable conditions and minimal bump meant a record-breaking year, with fast times across the board in all divisions. As per usual with such a flat water race, Unlimited boards led the way, filling the first 19 slots.


South Bay Paddle 2024

3 miles until the R10


This was a pretty technical race- some long draft trains made for quite a bit of strategic positioning and a lot of shifting in places during the last leg of the course. After the R-10 is typically where you see paddlers start to bonk, or get a second wind and bridge some gaps. One of those who made up time in the final portion of the race was Rob Parucha, moving up from third to second place in the last 6 miles. In front of him was Max First, coming in at 2:17:54, breaking his own record of 2:19 from 2019. Behind Rob finished Lance Lerum, claiming third at 2:22:08.


South Bay Paddle 2024
South Bay Paddle 2024

The stock race was close from the jump. It was led by Donald Miralle, holding the narrow lead the entire race. He was followed closely by David Thomas and Foster Campbell. Also in that draft pack were the leaders of the 14 foot division. Donald finished in 2:36:43, followed closely by David Thomas at 2:37:42. Foster Campbell took third with a time of 2:40:41.


South Bay Paddle 2024

Don Miralle took off fast - but Davy and Foster hung on and battled the whole way


The first 14’ to cross the finish was Geoffrey Page in 2:37:21. Geoff still holds the record in the 14’ division from 2021. Next up was Sean Jasso, finishing in 2:37:29 and Ben Schlesier with a time of 2:39:50.  


Geoffrey Page gets faster with age and Sean Jasso is always a fan favorite


The top three women all came in ahead of the 2019 course record of 2:52 set by Tiana Pugliese. Liz Hunter led the charge at 2:42:18, followed by Tiana at 2:51:05 and Emily Bark at 2:51:24. Funny how the girls always seem to be having more fun than everyone else.


South Bay Paddle 2024

Tianna Pugliese always smiling


South Bay Paddle 2024

Emily Bark and Liz Hunter losing valuable Strava seconds


Another epic year with a huge turnout at this year's South Bay Race, we look forward to next year.



If you raced and want some photos of yourself - Contact us here!

 

NAME

DIVISION

TIME

PLACE

MAX FIRST

MENS UL

2:17:54

1st

ROBERT PARUCHA

MENS UL

2:19:36

2nd

LANCE LERUM

MENS UL

2:22:08

3rd

DONALD MIRALLE

MENS STOCK

2:36:43

1st

DAVID THOMAS

MENS STOCK

2:37:42

2nd

FOSTER CAMPBELL

MENS STOCK

2:40:41

3rd

GEOFFREY PAGE

MENS 14'

2:37:21

1st

SEAN JASSO

MENS 14'

2:37:29

2nd

BEN SCHLESIER

MENS 14'

2:39:50

3rd

LIZ HUNTER

WOMENS

2:42:18

1st

TIANA PUGLIESE

WOMENS

2:51:05

2nd

EMILY BARK

WOMENS

2:51:24

3rd

Full Results HERE

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