Please sign this petition to support the installation of the Catalina Classic Commemorative Statue honoring the hundreds of women and men who have completed this physically and mentally challenging competition.
In 1955 the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, led by Cliff Webster, and lifeguard Bob Hogan joined together to create the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race, and it continues today under the leadership of retired lifeguard, Buddy Bohn. The race drew up to 50,000 observers in its early years which helped local businesses, and evolved into a 3 day event including 6-man volleyball, swimming, rowing, and other competitions which we now know as the International Surf Festival.
The race begins at the Catalina Island Isthmus and finishes at the Manhattan Beach Pier covering 32 miles of open ocean. Only prone paddleboards are allowed, meaning women and men paddlers have only their arms to propel them across the ocean. Finishers must complete the race within 9 hours or be disqualified, and the world record is held by lifeguard Tim Gair with a time of 5 hours 2 minutes he achieved in 1999.
The South Bay Boardriders Club, founded in 2009, is a 501c3 non-profit volunteer-based community organization that has undertaken an initiative to create and install a lifesize bronze statue in the empty sand lot adjacent to the lower south parking lot of Manhattan Beach Pier, close to where the race finishes. The statue is intended to commemorate all the women and men who have completed the race, honor a unique and iconic piece of history of Manhattan Beach, inspire girls and boys to consider the paddle, and beautify an area near the pier that currently is an eye sore. Chris Barela, 1977 graduate of MCHS, Hermosa Beach Surfer Walk of Fame inductee, and accomplished sculptor, has been commissioned to create and install the statue.
Please show your support of this important piece of public art which will celebrate an important piece of history in Manhattan Beach, and inspire future generations to carry on this iconic event.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 19, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
April 29, 2021
April 29, 2021
The Manhattan Beach City Council thinks they can ignore our demand for this statue if we stay quiet. We are right on the verge of 100 signatures so blast this link out to everyone you know to force their hand.
261 Comments
I grew up watching the paddlers come in at the pier every summer and finishing the race in 2015 was rite of passage that I will forever be proud of. Prone paddling and the Classic have a rich tradition in Manhattan that should be celebrated with the statue.
Manhattan Beach has strayed way to far from the original surf town vibe. Building this statue would be a step in the right direction to restore the surf town vibe to Manhattan Beach
Eeven though I am from Ireland, I have known about the Catalina Classic since a child. I had hoped to compete in 2021, if the universe allows I will in 2022. Its a globally recognised paddle board race, that inspires athletes far beyond California.
The Stories and history that this statue would represent go far beyond just physical and visual. When people see this they will be curious to the live of these watermen/women and maybe even inspire the next water generation and environmental thinkers generations to come
Growing up in the South Bay - any waterman and waterwomen I looked up to had completed the classic. It always seemed like an impossible task...until I did it! 3 down, many more crossings to go. Major respect to the history of this race and anyone who has completed the crossing!
It's wonderful! Eighty some years of paddleboarding history represented in this beautiful bronze sculpture!
Semper Fi.
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Please sign this petition to support the installation of the Catalina Classic Commemorative Statue honoring the hundreds of women and men who have completed this physically and mentally challenging competition.
In 1955 the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, led by Cliff Webster, and lifeguard Bob Hogan joined together to create the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race, and it continues today under the leadership of retired lifeguard, Buddy Bohn. The race drew up to 50,000 observers in its early years which helped local businesses, and evolved into a 3 day event including 6-man volleyball, swimming, rowing, and other competitions which we now know as the International Surf Festival.
The race begins at the Catalina Island Isthmus and finishes at the Manhattan Beach Pier covering 32 miles of open ocean. Only prone paddleboards are allowed, meaning women and men paddlers have only their arms to propel them across the ocean. Finishers must complete the race within 9 hours or be disqualified, and the world record is held by lifeguard Tim Gair with a time of 5 hours 2 minutes he achieved in 1999.
The South Bay Boardriders Club, founded in 2009, is a 501c3 non-profit volunteer-based community organization that has undertaken an initiative to create and install a lifesize bronze statue in the empty sand lot adjacent to the lower south parking lot of Manhattan Beach Pier, close to where the race finishes. The statue is intended to commemorate all the women and men who have completed the race, honor a unique and iconic piece of history of Manhattan Beach, inspire girls and boys to consider the paddle, and beautify an area near the pier that currently is an eye sore. Chris Barela, 1977 graduate of MCHS, Hermosa Beach Surfer Walk of Fame inductee, and accomplished sculptor, has been commissioned to create and install the statue.
Please show your support of this important piece of public art which will celebrate an important piece of history in Manhattan Beach, and inspire future generations to carry on this iconic event.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 19, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
April 29, 2021
April 29, 2021
The Manhattan Beach City Council thinks they can ignore our demand for this statue if we stay quiet. We are right on the verge of 100 signatures so blast this link out to everyone you know to force their hand.
261 Comments
I’ve competed twice and run an escort boat three times. The friends and memories are forever. It’s a tradition that the city should be proud of and embrace. Hope you will recognize it with this great statue
I grew up watching the paddlers come in at the pier every summer and finishing the race in 2015 was rite of passage that I will forever be proud of. Prone paddling and the Classic have a rich tradition in Manhattan that should be celebrated with the statue.
Manhattan Beach has strayed way to far from the original surf town vibe. Building this statue would be a step in the right direction to restore the surf town vibe to Manhattan Beach
Eeven though I am from Ireland, I have known about the Catalina Classic since a child. I had hoped to compete in 2021, if the universe allows I will in 2022. Its a globally recognised paddle board race, that inspires athletes far beyond California.
The Stories and history that this statue would represent go far beyond just physical and visual. When people see this they will be curious to the live of these watermen/women and maybe even inspire the next water generation and environmental thinkers generations to come
Growing up in the South Bay - any waterman and waterwomen I looked up to had completed the classic. It always seemed like an impossible task...until I did it! 3 down, many more crossings to go. Major respect to the history of this race and anyone who has completed the crossing!
It's wonderful! Eighty some years of paddleboarding history represented in this beautiful bronze sculpture!
Semper Fi.
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I’ve competed twice and run an escort boat three times. The friends and memories are forever. It’s a tradition that the city should be proud of and embrace. Hope you will recognize it with this great statue