Paddle-Board Race Is a Real Marathon

For some, it is cruel and unusual punishment to be awakened before noon.

But by that time on Sunday, about 30 racers will have challenged the cold Pacific surf on a paddle board for a 32-mile trip between Catalina Island’s Isthmus Cove and a finish line at the Manhattan Beach Pier. They will be participating in the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Marathon, organized by the L.A. County Lifeguard Assn. and sponsored by L.A. Sound car stereo products.

The race, first held in 1955, was canceled in 1961 when conditions in the waterway were considered too dangerous. It was revived 20 years later when the Manhattan Beach Historical Society helped renew interest in the event. Its popularity has grown since and the race now has two divisions, stock (boards 12 feet or less in length) and unlimited (no size or weight restrictions).

County lifeguard Mike Rink is the record-holder in both divisions, completing the stock race in 6 hours, 28 seconds in 1986 and the unlimited event in 5:21:28 in 1987.

The races begin at 6:30 a.m. Each paddle-boarder will be followed by an escort boat carrying the racer’s colored number banner. T-shirts and posters will be sold at the Manhattan Beach Pier, with proceeds going to the Lifeguard Assn. trust.

Only trained and well-conditioned racers will be allowed to compete.

Information: (213) 602-0152.

Spiked Ambience--With the growth of the men’s and women’s pro beach volleyball circuits, it was only a matter of time before the popularity of the sport moved from the coastline to the dinner table.

Two of the sport’s most successful players, Randy Stoklos and Sinjin Smith have lent their names to a new Manhattan Beach business, Randy and Sinjin’s Side Out Restaurant and Bar.

The restaurant is designed in a beach volleyball motif, with volleyball courts inside.

“A restaurant with a beach volleyball flare is long overdue,” Smith said. “I don’t think people realize how history-rich the sport is. We want the restaurant to be a hangout for locals, but also a spot that tourists won’t want to miss.”

Side Out, Hermosa--The pro beach volleyball circuit moves to Hermosa Beach for the season-ending USA Championships of Pro Beach Volleyball on Saturday and Sunday.

The action starts Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m.

The tournament has a purse of $200,000. The winning team will earn $41,000.

Back to the Beach--A beach volleyball tournament for A-rated amateur players will be held at Marine Avenue Beach in Manhattan Beach on Saturday at 9 a.m.

Men On the Clay Court--Top 30-and-older amateur men’s tennis players will compete in the semifinals and final of the Southern California Clay Court championships on Saturday and Sunday. Matches will start at 8 a.m. each day. The event is being held at Al’s Tennis Pro Shop and Hacker’s Haven in Lawndale. Information: (213) 679-5504.