Santa Monica Pier Works With Tommy Bahama

Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race & Ocean Festival Presented by Tommy Bahama

SANTA MONICA, California - The world famous Santa Monica Pier announced that Tommy Bahama, the·popular island-inspired lifestyle brand, is the presenting sponsor for the fourth annual Santa Monica·Pier Paddleboard Race & Ocean Festival taking place on June 8, 2013.

Many of the sport’s top competitors are expected to attend and participate in the new 5.5 mile Elite·Race and battle for the Tommy Bahama Team Challenge SUP Relay Cup. The paddleboard races·are officially sanctioned by the World Paddleboard Association, with points counting towards the WPA·Championships later in the year.

“Stand up paddling is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. With its history deeply rooted in·Hawaii, Southern California and the island lifestyle, this sport is a great fit for our brand.” said Rob·Goldberg, SVP of Marketing for Tommy Bahama. “That, combined with the ideal location at the Santa·Monica Pier and the broader appeal of this event for not just the competitors but also for families, kids·and spectators, makes it a perfect event for us.”·

“We’re honored to have a company like Tommy Bahama as our partner – it’s going make our event·better for our competitors and our spectators,” said event director Joel Brand. “It’s a great fit between·their spirit and aesthetic as a company and what we do here at the Pier Paddle every year.”·

The all day event takes place Saturday, June 8, 2013 and will feature an expanded slate of new·events, including kids beach and ocean competitions, a lifeguard and surf history pop-up museum, as·well as a Tommy Bahama rum lounge and a Sierra Nevada beer garden. Hula dancers will perform·throughout the day on the pier deck. Live music and an awards ceremony will follow the completion of·the races for the top finishers in each of the divisions.

The Pier paddle event is a benefit for Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay and its public marine·education facility, the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium that is housed underneath the historic Pier·Carousel. Heal the Bay will receive a portion of net proceeds from the event.

Historic exhibits will feature antique surfboards, paddleboards, lifeguard equipment and vintage·automobiles tied to local beach culture. Paddleboard racing was a popular Santa Monica sport in the·1940s with two paddleboard clubs headquartered on the pier.

Event partners and sponsors include: Tommy Bahama, Sierra Nevada, Quickblade Paddles, SUP·Across America Presented by Natural Vines, Clif Bar, Heal the Bay, Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, ZJ Boarding House, Santa Monica Daily Press, World Paddle Association and the National·Doryman’s Association.

For more information, visit www.pierpaddle.com.

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