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Harbor Hoot brings stand-up paddle fun to the Dana Point Harbor

October 16, 2023

The annual Harbor Hoot this weekend brought hundreds of stand-up paddlers to the Dana Point Harbor – the event celebrates the sport and teaches about safety while navigating the sea.

The gathering on Saturday, Oct. 14, marked the Harbor Hoot’s fifth year and offered three events – a 3K Channel Scoot, the Harbor Hustle Sprint and a Baby Beach Bolt Team Relay.

Ram Espiritu has his daughters Ryla, 3, left, and Robin, 7, sit on his paddle board after completing the 3K Channel Scoot race at the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Competitors in the 60 and older Harbor Hustle category run into the water at the start of the race during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Competitors in the 60 and older Harbor Hustle category run toward the water at the start of the race during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Ron Remeyer, 61, takes first place in the 60 and older Harbor Hustle heat during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Jake Benedict, 3, jumps off the paddle board he used to compete in the Dana Point Harbor Hoot’s inaugural 12-year-old and under Little Hoot Scoot competition held at Baby Beach on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Paddle boarders head toward the beach and the finish line as they compete in the 3K Channel Scoot during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Paddle boarders head for the channel during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot, 3K Channel Scoot competition held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Event organizer Anthony Vela holds the microphone for Sue Compton as she gives the prayer blessing before the water events begin at the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Stand-up paddle boarders and outrigger enthusiasts take off from the 3K Channel Scoot starting line during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Event organizer Anthony Vela explains the 3K Channel Scoot course and rules to paddle boarders during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Paddle boarders competing in the 3K Channel Scoot race around the large orange buoy at the mouth of the channel on their way to the finish line at Baby Beach during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Mac McLaughlin, left, friend Mel Wygal, and his wife Gloria ride a paddle board together as they compete in the 3K Channel Scoot race during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

Riley Jaggi, left, drafts Jake Graham to the finish line, then shoots ahead of Graham to take first place in the 3K Channel Scoot race during the Dana Point Harbor Hoot held at Baby Beach on Saturday, October 14, 2023. (Photo by Frank D’Amato, Contributing Photographer)

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Stand-up paddle competition launched in Dana Point with the Battle of the Paddle at nearby Doheny State Beach back in 2010 when the sport started gaining popularity. The competition turned into the largest event in the world, which then turned into the Pacific Paddle Games.

But when that event fizzled about five years ago, local stand-up paddle athletes and newbie racers had few options for competition. Enter Harbor Hoot.

Harbor Hoot has grown since it launched five years ago, said Anthony Vela, event founder and organizer, who also runs the Performance Paddling training club in the harbor.

Last year had about 185 participants and this year signs ups were capped at 200.

Organizers also promoted the safety aspect of the sport, such as not paddling in the middle of the harbor channels during busy summer days, which can cause trouble with boaters.

“People are recreating in the harbor all the time, so now it’s a matter of having them doing it safely and be conscious when they are out there,” Vela said. “That’s the main mission – everyone having fun and being safe.”

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The 3K Channel Scoot is like a walk on the water, allowing participants a chance to test their speed and agility against fellow paddlers. The Harbor Hustle is a challenging course that “showcases the harbor’s beauty while providing a dynamic and competitive experience,” event organizers describe.

The team relay adds an element of camaraderie and teamwork to the day’s festivities.

Vela likens the event to the popular Turkey Trot in the Harbor, where serious racers show up, but so do leisurely strollers just looking to get outside and enjoy the scenery.

Danny Ching, Candice Appleby and Dave Boehne are among the serious athletes who have shown up through the years to keep their competitive chops sharp.

“It’s a great mix of new people, but a lot of the long-time paddling legends attend and participate as well,” Vela said.

And being out on the water – especially with the warm weather that’s been lingering – isn’t a bad way to spend the day, he said.

Orange County Register

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Harbor Hoot brings stand-up paddle fun to the Dana Point Harbor

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