Why should you do the Jay race?
This is the 11th Annual Jay Race. It keeps getting better every year! We gather to remember Jay! Proceeds will go to Santa Cruz County Junior Lifeguard Programs to purchase paddleboards and to provide scholarships in Jay's name. Participants get a goodie bag, t-shirt, fresh Peet's coffee, and snacks. Of course there is the challenging course, family-friendly atmosphere, and great trophies and raffle prizes including surfboards, wetsuits, paddleboards and SUPs!
Divisions for the 12 mile Race.
Men: 12 mile Stock, Fourteen & Unlimited paddleboards: 17 and under, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50+
Women: Stock and Unlimited paddleboards.
Men SUP: 12'6", Fourteen & Unlimited: 17 and under, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50+ .
Women SUP: 12'6" & Fourteen: 17 and under, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50+ .
Pre-Registration Gathering
Friday, June 23rd from 4 pm to 7 pm at the Santa Cruz Harbor Beach near the Crow's Nest Restaurant.
You can still register for the race for a discounted price. Look over the course map. This is a great time to meet other paddlers, discuss race tactics, and ponder the Monterey Bay currents.
Parking and Restrooms
Plenty of parking in the Capitola Beach parking lot above the venue. Be prepared to pay a parking fee.
Restrooms are located at the event site.
Race Day Registration
5:30 am registration opens for both the 12 and 2 mile races.
Race Day Entry Fees on 6/23/12
12 mile is $65.00, 2 mile is $40.00, The No Frills 2 mile (no lunch or tee) is $5.00, Covewater SUP Relay is $5.00 per person ($15/team) and the kids races are free (we provide the soft paddleboards).
Jay Ceremony
At 8:00am we will have a ceremony to honor the great Santa Cruz Waterman Jay Moriarity.
12 mile Course (Paddleboards)
Water start at 8:30 sharp.
12 mile Course (Stand-ups)
Water Start at 8:40 sharp.
2 mile Course
Water start for all paddleboarders and stand-ups at 8:50. The course will run out to the Surftech buoy beyond the kelp beds, back in to another Surftech buoy placed on the north side of the Capitola Wharf, back outside the kelp beds, then back to the beach for the finish. It is an out-and-back course. There will be plenty of Capitola Lifeguards patrolling the course. The winds are usually calm and the swell small. This is a great course for beginners or those looking for a good "Sprint" race.
2 mile Divisions
Men and Women: 10'6"Sprint, Stock & fourteen paddleboards, 12'6" SUP, 14' SUP, SUP surfboard and Longboard: 17 and under, 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, and 50+
Boys and Girls 12 & under: 12'6" SUP, and Stock paddleboard
Boys and Girls Juniors (13-17 years):12'6" SUP, and Stock paddleboard
Kids Races
Kids races will begin around 11:00 am. We will provide kids age 12 and under with "Nipper" or "Soft" paddleboards to use. Course and format will be new this year to make the races more fun for the kids. There will be plenty of Lifeguards on hand to keep the kids safe.
Covewater SUP Relay
2nd Annual Covewater SUP Relay will consist of three person teams that must include at least one female team member. The Covewater SUP Relay is all about having fun with friends, family members, co-workers etc! Teams of three traverse a .25 mile loop around a set of strategically placed buoys and run through the beach gauntlet between laps.
Crows Nest After Party!!!!
4:00 pm - Wrap up the day with our legendary Crow's Nest after-party, at the the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor! Free food, beer and wine will be served on the beach outside the Crows Nest! Enjoy live music while you eat, drink and talk story with all of your fellow competitors and race fans on the beach at the Crows Nest starting at 4:00 pm.
Age restrictions for the 12 mile paddle.
If you are 15 years old or under, you must paddle the entire distance with another responsible adult (buddy paddle). However if you are 15 and under and have completed this race in the past, the race committee will decide if you can paddle solo.
