Known for its sheer beauty, rugged coastline, white beaches, turquoise waters, tall vertical cliffs, caves, waterfalls and tunnels Kauai’s Na Pali coast makes for a once-in-a-lifetime venue for this unique paddling race. With its bevy of breathtaking landmarks, The Na Pali Race will prove to be an experience no competitor will soon forget.
The 17-mile race begins at the Na Pali Coast State Park at Haena Beach Park on Kauai’s North Shore and finishes at Polihale State Beach Park on Kauai’s West Side and will undoubtedly prove to be a great day on the water for all paddleboard enthusiasts. There will be elite race divisions for SUP and Prone Paddleboards as well as Surfboard type SUP and Fun Run style divisions.
Kauai Water Patrol Lifeguards and escort boats will be providing support to paddlers as they make their way down the coastline.
This race will be timed using the world-famous chip timing system for fast and accurate results. The fastest times recorded last year were 2:22.30 for the SUP Unlimited men with the women SUP standard set at 3:41.45. Prone paddlers came in at 3:05.50 with the fastest time being on a stock board. The sole women prone paddler came in at 4:50.15. Average times for paddlers ranged between three and five hours.
Contributing to the Na Pali Coast ‘Ohana—a nonprofit grassroots foundation that protects and preserves the natural and cultural resources of the Na Pali Coast State park—we will be offering a way for paddlers to “Paddle for the Pali” and raise money and awareness for this organization. The Na Pali Race is also contributing a portion of event proceeds to this cause.
Sign-up for event will be available online in early June through July 31, 2011 with entry forms also available at numerous local surf shops. All entrants will receive an event race jersey, an event t-shirt, event hat, and food and drink at the awards ceremony.
Transport shuttle vans back to the North Shore will be offered as an event service for an additional fee.
Please stay tuned to the event website NaPaliRace.com for updates and registration beginning in June.
For all media inquires and contacts, please see below:
Evan Valiere
Event Coordinator
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