Photo: Delia Bense-Kang.

If you were in the Trinidad vicinity last Sunday you may have seen what appeared to be a parade of people walking on the ocean. That is because Sunday, Aug. 21 was the 6th Annual Trinidad to Little River Dash, an open-water Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race. 

Originally founded by two local surf and SUP icons, Hugh Holdt and James Bavin, the event has now been taken on by Pacific Outfitters and backed by a number of sponsors. This year the goal was to make the event more inclusive for all ages and levels. To do this, two new races were added, a short Buoy Flatwater Sprint, and Through the Surf and Back.  

The Buoy Flatware Sprint kicked off the day at 1:30 p.m. Everyone from six-year-olds, to sixty-year-olds made a mad dash around a buoy in Trinidad Harbor. “Having all the kids on the water was really exciting to me, and gives this event some roots for the future,” said Holdt.

The main event was the traditional Trinidad to Little River Dash, a three-mile open water paddle for the more experienced and daring souls. Competitors lined the boat launch beach in Trinidad Harbor, and pushed off at 3 p.m. to the sound of the blow horn. The first couple of minutes the water looked like rush hour in Los Angeles.  Boards, paddles, and people were flying everywhere as competitors made a break for the open ocean. 

Race course.

Out of the harbor, paddlers started to separate and made a bee-line for Moonstone Beach. Being that the course is on the open ocean, small swell and light north wind is key. Ensuring safety and getting some water shots via jet ski was Craig Spuit on water patrol. 

Photo: Craig Spjut.

The most entertaining part for spectators was probably watching competitors ride through the surf and run across the finish line at the north end of Moonstone Beach. There were wipeouts galore and several photo finishes to rival those of the Olympics. 

Defending champion James Bavin held onto his title with the time of 27 minutes, 55 seconds. Two other stand-outs were Aidan Hasselquist, who took first in the youth class, with a time of 36:00, and the youngest competitor ever, 13-year-old Emma Sayre, who finished with a time of 39:18. “It was an awesome experience racing against so many great paddlers! Racing against people a lot older than me made me push myself a lot harder. I will be working hard so I can do even better next year,” stated Sayre. All competitors made impressive time, with everyone finishing under an hour. (See entire leaderboard below)

The finish line. Photo: Delia Bense-Kang.

The day wrapped up with a party and award ceremony at Merryman’s, complete with oysters, beer, and music by the Sand Fleas. Trophies with art from Matt Beard were awarded to first guy, lady, and youth in each race. “We hope to make it better and better every year,” said Time Haywood, co-organizer and instructor for Pacific Outfitters. 

Special thanks to founders James Bavin and Hugh Holdt, the staff at Pacific Outfitters, the Trinidad Rancheria, artist Matt Beard, the band the Sand Fleas, Merryman’s Beach House, the sponsors, and of course all the competitors and supporters that came out!

Overall Leader Board for “Trinidad to Little River Dash”:

1st – James Bavin – 27:55
2nd – Paul Hasselquist – 28.20
3rd – Gaird Ridgen – 31:12
4th – Hugh Holdt – 32:12
5th – Jeff Hanck – 33:04
6th – Chris Donnelly – 33:29
7th – Steve Monk – 33:57
8th – Dan Mar – 35:26
9th – Aidan Hasselquist – 36:00 – 1st Youth Finisher
10th – Joe Ballard – 36:34
11th – Delia Bense-Kang – 36:50 – First Lady Finisher
12th – Ian Robinson – 36:52
13th – Fennel Blythe – 36:57
14th – Lee Rusconi – 37:23
15th – Alison Lloyd – 37:50
16th – John Shelton – 38:15
17th – Sebastian Hasselquist – 38:40
18th – Emma Sayre – 39:18 – 13 Years Old!
19th – Mike Durgerian – 39:27
20th – Josh Schertzer – 40:22
21st – Tim Haywood – 41:00
22rd – Hanna Johnston – 44:49
23rd – Josh Olufsen – 54:35
24th – Max Keys – 54:36

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Delia Bense-Kang serves as the Northcoast Environmental Center’s Marine Protected Area Outreach Coordinator and chairs Surfrider Foundation’s Humboldt Chapter.