Race-weekend prep

When. Where.
What to pack.

Print this and tuck it in the dry bag. Per-race timing, parking, meet-up, and lodging notes for every race the team travels to. Updated as dates firm up.

See full race calendar →

Always pack

Same kit · every race.

✓USA SUP-regulation race board (we transport · meet the truck Fri evening)
✓Pro carbon paddle (we transport)
✓PFD (we transport)
✓Swimsuit · sun shirt · hat
✓Sunscreen (mineral, reef-safe for ocean races)
✓Refillable water + electrolytes
✓Towel + dry change of clothes
✓Pre-race snack (banana, oats, gel — whatever you train on)
✓Phone + portable charger (Strava eats battery on race day)
✓Cash for parking / coffee / breakfast

Travel race · Mission Bay · San Diego, CA

Hano Hano Huki Ocean Challenge

Crown Point Park (Mission Bay)

Mission Bay start lineMission Bay finish line

4.5 miPoint-to-pointadvanced

Full course details →

2026

—

2027

Sat Jan 16, 2027 (est.)

Arrive by

7:00 AM local — registration + bib pickup opens.

Start time

First start 8:30 AM local · age-group waves after.

Parking

Free lot at Crown Point fills early. Park along Crown Point Drive if the lot is full — short walk to the beach.

Meet the coach

Look for the AZ SUP Academy banner at the Crown Point launch beach. Coach will be on a yellow/orange race board doing warm-up laps in the bay 60 min before start.

Race format

Open-ocean classic — protected bay, occasional chop, beach start. Lots of pros use it as their West Coast season-opener.

Pack this on top of the always-list

+Layered top for the cooler ocean wind
+Cash for the breakfast burrito truck at the launch
+Sun shirt — California sun off the water is no joke

Lodging (on the family)

Pacific Beach + Mission Bay hotels are walking distance from the venue. Families typically book Fri night → Sun morning. We do not book this — flights, hotel, ground transport on you.

Flagship · Lake Havasu, AZ

Havasu Heat

Body Beach (north end of Lake Havasu City)

Lake Havasu launchLake Havasu finish

9.2 miLoopintermediate

Full course details →

2026 · Confirmed

Sat Mar 28, 2026

2027

Sat Mar 27, 2027 (est.)

Arrive by

6:30 AM — bib + paddle check, course briefing at 7:30.

Start time

First start 8:00 AM AZ time · 10k and 5k distances.

Parking

Free lot at Body Beach. Plenty of space — Havasu is a smaller field than Hano Hano and the venue is built for it.

Meet the coach

Team paddle warm-up off the south jetty at 7:00 AM. Coach will be the first one in the water; spot the team race boards (we haul them up Friday).

Race format

Long-distance flatwater, point-to-point. The team puts in the most miles together at Havasu — this is the race we treat as the season checkpoint.

Pack this on top of the always-list

+Hydration vest or 750ml on the board
+Long-sleeve sun layer (March sun on flatwater = brutal)
+Backup paddle leash + ankle leash

Lodging (on the family)

London Bridge Resort + Heat Hotel are 10 min from Body Beach. Most families drive up Friday afternoon, sleep one night, race Sat morning, home Sat evening. We do not book this — hotels + gas + meals on you.

Flagship · Oceanside Pier · CA

USA Surfing SUP & Prone Nationals + Team USA Trials

Oceanside Harbor + Pier beach

Race org ↗

2026 · Confirmed (per USA SUP)

Mar 13, 2026

2027

Mar 12, 2027 (est.)

Arrive by

6:30 AM local — heat sheet + bib pickup opens 6:00.

Start time

Heats vary by age + discipline. First heat 7:30 AM local.

Parking

Oceanside Harbor lot fills fast on race weekend. Plan to arrive 15 minutes earlier than you think — or use rideshare to the Pier.

Meet the coach

Heat-staging area is on the south side of the Pier. Coach will be running warm-ups in the harbor 45 min before each AZ-team heat. We sync via group text the night before.

Race format

National Championships + Team USA Trials in the same weekend. Selection event for world-team representation. Bigger field, bigger pressure, bigger pay-off — this is the one the season points at.

Pack this on top of the always-list

+Two race boards if you have access — Nationals is hard on gear
+Spare pair of trunks + a dry-bag for between heats
+Pre-race carbs (oats, banana, electrolytes) — heats can run long

Lodging (on the family)

Stay in Oceanside or Carlsbad — both keep you within 10 min of the Pier. Saturday-Sunday weekend; some families fly in Thurs to acclimate to ocean conditions. We do not book this — flights, hotel, meals on you.

Spectators + family

How to cheer right.

→Best vantage: the finish chute. Show up 15 min before your athlete’s expected finish.
→Filming: portrait orientation, focused on the line — coach will rewatch with the athlete that night.
→Cheer-friendly route note: Havasu finish jetty is 50 yds from public parking.
→No interaction with athletes during the race — federation rules. Cheer + clap, no hand-offs.

Arizona SUP Academy · Race Team

Train deliberately. Race honestly. Send it.

Race team home Other events Instructors

When. Where.What to pack.

Same kit · every race.

Hano Hano Huki Ocean Challenge

Havasu Heat

USA Surfing SUP & Prone Nationals + Team USA Trials

How to cheer right.

When. Where.
What to pack.