Bronze Catalina Classic Statue Celebrates Race's Storied History

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The South Bay Boatrider's Club partnered with the City of Manhattan Beach to create a statue to honor the iconic and historic Catalina Classic paddleboard race.

To celebrate the statue's completion, community members were invited to the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 24. Installed near the Manhattan Beach Pier, the statue features three paddleboarders that symbolize the brave people who have competed in the race.

"[The Catalina Classic] is known as the 'grand-daddy' of prone paddleboard races throughout the world, with participants traveling from across the U.S. and other countries to complete this very challenging channel crossing," city officials said.

Mira Costa High School alumni and Surfer Walk of Fame inductee Chris Barela built the all-bronze statue. Barela has also created other statues throughout the South Bay including the Tim Kelly statue in Hermosa Beach and the Meistrell Brothers statue in Redondo Beach.

In 1955, local lifeguard Bob Hogan and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cliff Webster joined forces to create the International Catalina Classic 32-Mile Open Ocean Paddleboard Marathon. Just like it does today, the race started at Catalina Island and finished on the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

After dangerous ocean conditions, pier construction and Webster's death in the 1960s, the race went into a 20-year-long hiatus. However, in 1982 the race was resurrected by lifeguards Buddy Bohn and Gibby Gibson with the same rules and guidelines.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will celebrate the storied history of the race. Community members are welcome to attend starting at 2 p.m. at the lower south parking lot near the pier.

For more information about the project, visit the statue's project website.