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Aug 12, 2023

Photos: 46th annual Catalina Classic Paddle Board Race

Scott Clausen paddles in after finishing in 1st place in the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer) Scott Clausen paddles in after

Scott Clausen paddles in after finishing in 1st place in the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Scott Clausen paddles in after finishing in 1st place in the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Scott Clausen crosses the finish line to end up in first place during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Scott Clausen gives a speech after finishing in 1st place in the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Lifeguard boats shoot out their water cannons in salute to Scott Clausen (middle left) as he finishes in first place during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

The newly-unveiled statue at Manhattan Beach Pier, commemorating the Catalina Classic paddleboard race that has been a city tradition for 46 years. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Family, friends, and spectators cheer on and support the contestants during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Jake Miller crosses the finish line to end up in second place during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Family, friends, and spectators cheer on and support the contestants during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Contestant Jake Miller’s support team cheer him on to the finish during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Family, friends, and spectators cheer on and support the contestants during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Family, friends, and spectators cheer on and support the contestants during the Catalina Classic on Sunday, August 27th, 2023. (Photo by Gil Castro-Petres, Contributing Photographer)

Paddle boarders arrived ashore in Manhattan Beach Sunday, Aug. 27 afternoon from Isthmus, Catalina Island during the 46th annual Catalina Classic Paddle Board Race.

Top racers finished at about 11 a.m., with the last folks coming in by 3 p.m.

The Catalina Classic started in 1955 and continued until a hiatus in 1960.

But in 1982, Buddy Bohn, a former Los Angeles County Lifeguard captain revived the race after being convinced by some of the original paddlers while searching for a 1950s style board to donate to the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.

Manhattan Beach last week, meanwhile, unveiled a life-size statue commemorating the Catalina Classic’s 46 years of tradition and the more to come.

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