Central Coast Stand Up Paddling

Welcome to the 2011 Central Coast SUP Cup and 3rd Annual Jesse King Memorial Paddle.
The central coast, and Morro Bay in particular, are spectacular paddling destinations, with a little something for every paddler. There will even be a free Grom Race Sunday at noon! It's our pleasure to share our beautiful home with paddlers from around the globe, and this event is the perfect excuse to come out and enjoy our hospitality.


Below we have a description of the individual races being held over the weekend, and you will also find downloadable registration forms and course maps. Entry is limited to 150 paddlers, so enter NOW!


Downloadable Entry Form and Waiver. Print, fill out, and mail in by October 14 to register. Registration closes October 20 for all races except the Jesse King Memorial Paddle. 


Registration & Waiver
Schedule of Events


Lodging Info: Check these links lodging...
Masterpiece Motel
La Serena Inn
San Marcos Inn
Estero Inn
Bay Front Inn
Mention you're entering the SUP Cup when you make reservations at any of the above establishments.
Also check here: Morro Bay Lodging


Camping Info click here. Morro Bay State Park is especially nice if there are sites available.

That's right...another Round the Rock Race. Seems like everywhere has a rock to paddle around, but only Morro Bay has THE ROCK (click for a history of the Rock and more images.) Morro Rock, often called the Gibraltor of the Pacific, is the remnant of one of nine long-dormant volcanoes. Originally it stood guardian to Morro Bay with no connection to the mainland, and played havoc with the harbor entrance. The Army Corps of Engineers built the causeway, blocking the northern entrance. 


This race is not for unprepared paddlers. With a beach start, through the surf, and the paddle in the open ocean around the far side of the Rock, it is only suited for expert paddlers with previous open water experience. Once through the surf the course will head out and south around Morro Rock before entering Morro Bay through the Harbor entrance, and finishing at Coleman Beach. Depending on how far out past the rock one paddles, (which, in turn, depends on how bouncy it is close to the Rock) the course is between 2.5 and 3.5 miles. Divisions are Mens & Womens in Stock (12'6), 14', and Unlimited SUPs, as well as OC-1, OC-2, and Prone Paddleboards. This race is only open to expert paddlers with prior open water experience. The conditions on the outside of the Rock can be VERY challenging, even for the best athletes.


The photo above shows the Rock, the beach where the race will start (just to the right,) and the home stretch of the race inside the harbor. So the course starts through the surf from the right side (north) of the Rock, goes out and around, enters the Harbor just out of sight on the left and crosses in front of the Rock to the finish at Coleman Beach just out of sight on the far right. The start and finish are just a few hundred yards apart, with both a road and a boardwalk for easy travel back and forth. 


Here is a PDF of the course.

This is our classic flat-water loop. This race starts at 10 AM Saturday, and is for those paddlers who want to do some distance, but aren't up to the Round the Rock Race...or for those who want to keep going after completing the Round the Rock race! It explores the majority of the bay, and is a great paddle! The course starts at the event site, Coleman Beach, and heads along the north side of the Harbor towards the entrance. There it crosses the Harbor entrance, comes back into the Harbor along the south jetty and follows the sand spit around into the back bay. At the end of the Embarcadero it will cross the bay back to the main channel and continue back into the bay to the entrance to the Morro Bay State Park Marina. There the course turns around and heads back along the town's waterfront to the finish, also at Coleman Beach. The course is roughly 6 miles long, and has divisions for Surf Class, Stock (12'6"), 14',  Unlimited SUP, OC, and Prone Paddleboards. This race is open to all paddlers, and is well suited for recreational racers and intermediate paddlers.


Here is a PDF of the course.

This is our fun (and free!) race. Scheduled for Saturday afternoon, it is a short course with lots of turns right in front of the event sight. We will form relay teams of 3 paddlers, and both genders must be represented. Each paddler will do one lap around the course, which will be about a half-mile long. There will be LOTS of turns and a beach run at the relay switch point. Fun! Get your teams together now, we'll do sign ups for this the day of the event. There are no prizes for this race, just bragging rights at the evenings party! This is open to any and all paddlers, on any SUP.

Starting the second day off is the Sprint Races. 200 meter, single elimination format. That means a group lines up, sprints 200 meters, and the last half of the paddlers to cross the finish line are out, while the fastest half of the paddlers get to do it again! Classes for Men and Women in Stock (12'6"), 14', and Unlimited. There is also a Pro and Expert division, with separate purse's. The race will take place right out in front of the main event, and it should be fun to watch.

The kids get their turn, in reward for their patience while their parents have been having all the fun. One lap on a very short course (a hundred yards or so) for the little ones (under 10) and two laps for the older groms (10 - 15ish). Free to enter, let's support the future generation of paddlers by providing a fun time for them now!

This is how it all started. Jesse King was a dear friend to many of us in the local community. He tragically passed away in a spear fishing accident on July 1st, 2009. Jesse worked for the Harbor Patrol, had been in the Coast Guard, and was dedicated to the Junior Guard Programs, for their support of tomorrow's watermen and waterwomen. All of the proceeds from this event are 100% dedicated to our local Junior Guard programs, and go directly to scholarships and sorely needed equipment. 


This is an all inclusive paddle....paddle what you got! Kayaks, canoes, SUP's, bathtubs...whatever. A fairly short tour of the main harbor, the course will start at Coleman Beach, head out towards the Harbor entrance, come back in and head towards the back-bay along the sand spit, then cross the channel near Tideland Park and return to Coleman Beach along the waterfront. Prize's for the best Pirate Costume and Most Spirit! Enter just this race for $30, or as an additional event for $20.


Here is a map of the course this year.