Wai Kekoa (Water Warrior) Beach Festival
This Hard Corps Race Series and water competition in Camp Pendleton features a surf-expression session, stand-up and prone paddleboard races, an open distance 5K and 10K outrigger canoe and surfski race, a 1K open water swim, and a 3K beach run.
Open to civilians, the Water Warrior Beach Festival boasts a vendor expo with stand-up paddleboards available for demo, and other items.
In the Surf Expression Session, participants will enjoy time on the water impressing the judges with their style, artistic moves, and attitude. All length surfboards compete against each other for the title of Wai Kekoa (Water Warrior). One male and one female winner will be crowned in both the grommet (9-13) and open (14+) divisions.
In the Amphibious Assault Race, elite racers will tackle a loop course that includes both surf and flat water while the open age-group loop is exclusively on flat water. All racers have the traditional run on the beach at the completion of each loop.
The Open Distance 5K & 10K races will challenge outrigger, surfski, and paddleboarders this year with a start on the flat waters of Pendleton Del Mar Boat Basin looping around the base's harbor before heading outside the jetty and into the open ocean, heading north, and then back with a beach run-obstacle course finish.
Minimum participation age is 9 or 13 (depending on event) and there will be both male and female divisions for all events. The awards ceremony will be after the last race, scheduled at 3:45pm.
You must bring a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration for yourself and a valid ID for all passengers to gain access to the base.