
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.

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.

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.


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.

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.

Tianna Pugliese always smiling

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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