Moonlght Beach Paddle '10 Highlights

MOONLIGHT BEACH, California — On May 15 & 16, the hard working, local team at Multisports.com hosted the Annual Encinitas Sports Festival (ESF) at Moonlight Beach.  The ESF is an annual  2 day community event which consists of the Encinitas 5k Run, The Moonlight Beach Paddle and Swim Presented by Premiere Paddlesurf and Maui Jim Sunglasses, The Avia Sprint Triathlon and The ESF Sports and Fitness Expo.

Saturday morning, the Multisports crew was onsite setting up the 5k Run course and Paddleboard / Standup Paddleboard Venue while Encinitas was still asleep.  1600 plus runners raced through Downtown Encinitas, finishing in the Expo above Moonlight Beach. Following the 5k was a the Kid’s 1 k dash which rounded out the Running Event.  Shortly after the last runner finished, 110 Paddlerboarders and Standup Paddlers (SUP’s)  raced either the 3 or 6 mile Moonlight Beach Paddle on a 2 loop course from Moonlight Beach to Swami’s and back.  The wind kicked up early, which made it a challenge for the SUP’s and we had just a hint of that strong south swell which made for some exciting finishes.

After the race Paddlers enjoyed a great Breakfast provided by Pipe’s Café in Cardiff, gathered the traditional swag from the likes of Maui Jim, Nixon, Premiere Paddlesurf, GoPro, Quickblade Paddles, PEET’s Coffee and Hovie SUP at the Raffle and awards Ceremony and then worked their way up to the Sports and Fitness Expo to listen to a couple of really great  local bands, Frankie Dee and the Funk Natra Band and Shoreline Rootz while the little ones bounced away in the Jumpy House. Lumberyard Tavern and Grill was on hand serving up their famous sliders and burritos.  Results were posted to www.encinitasrace.com

Sunday began much the same for the crew, setting up the Triathlon and 1 Mile rough Water Swim Courses way before the crack of dawn.  The Swim waves began at 6:40 a.m. starting with the Elite Competitors which included Professional Triathletes Luke Bell, Chris McCormack, Michellie Jones and Kate Major.  Once all the swimmers were on the road we sent the Mile swimmers through the surf.  Conditions were perfect, enough surf to be challenging for the athletes, 64 degree water temp. and a favorable current to guide them up the chute.  The Bike and Run legs were hotly contested with leads changing often.  The 1200 Triathletes and 85 Swimmers were treated to music by Local Ban “High Five” and great breakfast burritos at the Lumberyard Tavern and Grill Expo Booth.

Vendors were on hand all weekend offering fitness and training aids, lifestyle clothing and accessories, Standup Paddleboards and nutrition.  “Every year the event gets better” said Roch Frey of Multisports and “Every year we look for ways to improve the experience for the Community of Encinitas.” Inquiries regarding participation next year can be directed to: dvandyck@pcfs.net