2013
Santa Cruz
Paddlefest
Photography Aaron Schmidt Text Dave Shively and Charli Kerns
Jim Grossman
Editor in Chief Jeff Moag MANAGING Editor Dave Shively SENIOR Editor Joe Carberry creative Director Robert Zaleski art director Parker Meek PHOTO EDITOR Aaron Schmidt ONLINE EDITOR Charli Kerns studio photographer JP Van Swae
SEAN MORELY
KEN KING
Surfers can usually count on late-winter swell to fill “the Lane.” But this year’s stacked international roster of kayak surfers, waveski and standup paddlers also cashed in on sunshine and low wind to create optimal conditions for a memorable 27th running of the Santa Cruz Paddlefest. The renowned annual paddle-surfing event sets aside California’s Steamer Lane for the duration of the contest, providing paddlers an unparalleled venue to take over the typically crowded surf break near the heart of Santa Cruz and to showcase their skills. “It’s a pretty amazing event,” says Devon Barker, one of the favorites to win the women’s international class. “I mean, you’re sharing the best surf spot with only three other people. What could be better?” Former event winner Galen Licht later agreed, “I’ve surfed all around the world, and nothing compares to this spot and this event.” Considered one of the West Coast’s premier point breaks, Steamer Lane was pumping all weekend. Through rounds of judged heats, the world-class paddlers on hand competed for bragging rights, cheers from the weekend crowds assembling along the bluff, plus two ultimate prizes: the title of West Coast kayak surf champion of the newly formed Pacific Paddle Surf Series, and the right to represent the U.S. West team in the upcoming July world championships in Australia.
Results: High Performance Men: Sean Morley High Performance Women: Kate Duncan International Men: Jim Grossman International Women: Devon Barker The Waveski Open: Tyler Lausten The Kayak Intermediate Open: Cate Hawthorne
DEVON BARKER
Overall champions of the Pacific Paddle Surf Series 2013 Waveski: Tyler Lausten Surf Kayak: Jim Grossman SUP: Dave Boehne
Tyler Lausten goes fins -free at the lane
KEN KING pulls a tight line after a deep takepoff
steamer lane offers excellent viewing for spectators.
TYLER LAUSTEN after a great heat. Lausten went on to win the wave ski division.
KEN KING with a massive cutback.
the surf kayak community is a small one. DAVE JOHNSTON AND JIM GROSSMAN between heats.