Non-Hikers Might Like This Walk

There are plenty of reasons to tag along Saturday on a Sierra Club hike, including a chance to view the rugged coastal beauty of San Mateo Point, just off the southern-most tip of Orange County.

But the best reason, organizers say, is that this hike is for people who don’t like to, well, hike.

“It’s completely flat, that’s why it’s so nice,” said Sylvia Stevenson, outings leader for the South Orange County chapter of the Sierra Club. “I can’t think of another hike that we do that’s so flat.”

The pace will also be attractive to people who want to ease into the great outdoors. “It will be active, but leisurely,” Stevenson said. “This is not for ‘tigers.’ We’re going to enjoy ourselves.”

The seven-mile hike will begin at 9 a.m. at Doheny State Beach and continue south along the sand to San Mateo Point and the famed Trestles’ surfing outpost. Hikers then turn inland to catch an OCTA bus that brings them back to the start. The outing is expected to conclude about 2 p.m.

The outing is free to the public, and membership in the Sierra Club is not required.

ROUGH WATER AHEAD

The 32nd Seal Beach Rough Water Swim takes place July 15 with more than 400 swimmers competing in the 10-mile portion of the event.

One of the oldest organized ocean swims in California, and the biggest local ocean swimming event of the year, the race will start at 6 a.m. at the Huntington Beach Pier and end at the Seal Beach Pier.

Besides the 10-mile swim, races will be contested at one and three miles, as well as 200, 400, 800 and 1,200 yards. Participants range in age from 7 to 80.

The men’s and women’s one-mile race begins at 7:30 a.m. and the three-mile race at 8 a.m. All races, except the 10-mile race, begin at the Seal Beach Pier.

Contact organizer Patty McKane at (562) 596-8021 or pmckane@jps.net for more details.

WHAT A RACKET

Defending champion Brian Hawkes heads a list of more than 100 entrants for the Outdoor Racquetball Nationals, July 21-23, at Golden West College.

Hawkes’ open singles title was one of his 26 national outdoor championships.

The tournament, which includes doubles, masters and junior divisions, begins July 21 at 4 p.m. for the lower divisions. The event continues July 22-23 at 9 a.m. Tournament proceeds go to Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

For more information, contact Gloria Perez at (714) 647-5062 or (714) 834-1265.

BRIEFS

The San Clemente Ocean Festival is scheduled for July 15-16. The festival includes the California Waterman and Waterwoman Championship, a 10K paddleboard race, a doryman boat race, a surf ski race, a biathlon (swim-run), a 5K beach run and a one-mile ocean swim. For more information, call (949) 440-6141 or

https://www.oceanfestival.org.

Garrett Collins, 17, a graduate of Esperanza High, is competing today through Sunday in the junior road bicycling championships in Allentown, Pa. He is a favorite to win a medal in the 20K time trial.

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Calendar of Events

BICYCLING

Saturdays

* Orange Coast Velo cycling club meets at Worthy Park located at 17th and Main Street in Huntington Beach. Rides vary from 25 to 50+ miles and begin at 7:30 a.m. with periodic regrouping and rest stops. After-ride socializing at Noah’s Bagels on Main Street. For further information call Jerry, (714) 960-4214 or Peter (714) 848-7618.

* Orange County Wheelmen training, 7 a.m., Food Park, MacArthur and Main, Irvine. Beginner and intermediate training group will ride and stay as a group. Informal lectures will cover stretching, nutrition and hill climbing. Led by Fred and Peg Bauer, (714) 997-0892.

* Bicycle Club of Irvine rides, 9 a.m., meet at Deerfield Park, Irvine. Three routes, 10-15, 15-25 and 25-35 miles, each with a stop midway for breakfast. Rides finish at about 11:30 a.m. Ride leaders Scott and Sandy Angle, (714) 960-4068.

* Velo Allegro Cycling Club meets at 8 a.m. at Long Beach Marina off Second Street for 24-mile ride at 14-18 mph pace. Those with pace line experience meet at 7:30 a.m. for warmup and speed training of up to 50 miles. Details: Julio, (562) 988-8117.