We’ll be live streaming the ‘Battle of the Bay’ from San Francisco on Saturday.
The iconic Golden Gate bridge in the background during last year’s ‘Battle of the Bay’ in San Francisco (photo: Peter Spain)
Now that our shoulders and hands have recovered from the epic 11 City Tour, we’re on our way to San Francisco for the next big race on the international calendar: the 7th Annual Battle of the Bay.
With a unique combination of iconic landmarks and stacked field, this 3-star “regional major” should give us a great show. But if you can’t make it to San Fran on Saturday don’t worry: we’ll be streaming the whole event on Facebook Live.
The highlight of the Battle of the Bay is the distance race around San Francisco’s two iconic landmarks, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, which should offer up some fairly spectacular images.
The 8.5 mile (13.7km) course is a difficult one to say the least, with strong tidal currents keeping competitors on their toes as they battle around the infamous prison island in the middle of San Francisco Bay. To add to the challenge, paddlers will also cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in America.
And taking up the challenge this year are several of the biggest names in the sport. They’ll be joined by scores of weekend warriors for the one-day festival at Crissy Field on Saturday.
Competitors round the infamous Alcatraz Island during last year’s Battle of the Bay (photo: Peter Spain)
With the paddling world descending on California for the traditional season-ender in Dana Point next week (aka the Pacific Paddle Games), the Battle of the Bay will be our last chance to assess the form guide ahead of the big one.
The battle for the women’s podium will feature world number one and dual-ISA gold medalist Annabael Anderson, Aussies Terrene Black and Angie Jackson, along with East Coast duo Seychelle Hattingh and April Zilg.
Some of the big names on the men’s side include Connor Baxter, Michael Booth, Mo Freitas, Jake Jensen (in his first international race for almost half a year), Josh Riccio, Kelly Margetts, Leo Nika, Chase Kosterlitz, Matt Nottage, Paul Jackson, Ryan Funk and the Teulade Brothers from France.
Also keep an eye on the Aussie dark horses Jayden Jensen (older brother of Jake), Jackson Maynard (lifeguard champion) and recent ISA surfing silver medalist Harry Maskell.
That’s a pretty stacked field. Throw in the fact that the overall Battle of the Bay title is combined between the Alcatraz 8 miler and the beach race, and whoever stands on the podium Saturday afternoon will have surely earned it.
Whoever wins, you’ll be the first to find out: SUP Racer will be live streaming from 8:30am on Saturday for the start of the iconic race around Alcatraz, then we’ll jump on for another live session at 1:30pm when the elite ‘beach race’ begins.
Scroll down to find out when to tune in from around the world…
Mark Athanacio dodges wild bumps and big boats during the 2014 Battle of the Bay (photo: Peter Spain)
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
We’ll be live streaming the elite races in the morning and afternoon. We plan to be on air (via Facebook Live) about 10 minutes before the start of the distance race around Alcatraz Island, so head over to SUP Racer’s Facebook page at 8:30am California time on Saturday.
8:00am: Race briefing
8:30am: Alcatraz race – OC-1/surfski
8:45am: Alcatraz race – elite Men
8:50am: Alcatraz race – elite women
9:00am: Alcatraz race – open
9:30am: 2 mile open/junior race
9:45am: 4 mile open race
11:30am: Half mile kids race
12:30pm: Beach race – open
1:30pm: Beach race – elite women
2:30pm: Beach race – elite men
5:00pm: Awards and after party
LIVE STREAM: WHEN TO WATCH
Live stream starts 8:30am local time Saturday
We’ll take a break after the Alcatraz distance race and jump back online for the beach race just before 1:30pm.
8:30am Saturday in California
= 5:30am in Hawaii
= 10:30am in Peru
= 11:30am on the East Coast
= 12:30pm in Brazil
= 4:30pm in the UK
= 5:30pm in France/Germany/Spain
= 5:30pm in South Africa
= 10:30pm in Thailand
= 12:30am Sunday in Japan
= 1:30am Sunday in Australia (East)
Add five hours to the above times for the start of the beach race
We’ll be following the action from the lead boat so we’ll be able to bring you a front row seat, but as always I make the disclaimer: don’t expect an ESPN-quality production.
See you on Saturday!
