Saturday, August 29th, 2026
Alki Beach, Seattle, WA
da Grind is a 12-Mile OC6 and double-hull iron course around Blake Island. There is also a four-mile short course for OC1, OC2, V1, surfski, SUP, junior & novice.
Come compete in this fun and challenging race at Alki Beach in West Seattle. Don’t miss this opportunity to dig your toes in the sand, paddle in saltwater, and battle it out in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
2026 Race Packet
Pre-register online by Sunday August 23rd
Pre-order merch online by Saturday August 1st
Questions?
General inquiries:info@seattleoutrigger.com
Race director:anthony@seattleoutrigger.com
Race Fees
$35 per paddler for long course.
$20 per paddler for short course.
Registration fee required for each paddler per event. Adult steersperson supporting keiki crews in short course will receive $20 worth of raffle tickets. da Grind shirt is NOT included with registration this year (see Merch below).
Payment by credit/debit through pre-registration form OR venmo/check at race day check-in table. Checks payable to “Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club.” Pre-register by 8/23 for a free raffle ticket per paddler. Mahalo nui
Event Schedule
7:00 AM: Registration and canoe preparation
8:30 AM: Steerspersonsʻ meeting and pule
9:00 AM: Short Course - all categories
10:30 AM: Wahine & Mixed OC6 race start
1:00 PM: Kane race start (or 30 mins after the finish of Wahine/Mixed)
3:30 PM: Awards, raffle, chee-hoos
Subject to change based on conditions and completion of events.
da Short Course - 4 miles
Good for novice and keiki OC6, double-hull, OC1/2, V1, SUP, surfskis.
The course is a loop. Start is out front. Head northeast toward Duwamish Head (northern point) and turn counterclockwise (left) around a permanent channel marker, about one hundred feet off shore. Head southwest for about 1.5 miles and turn counterclockwise (left) around the second and final buoy off Alki Point Lighthouse. Lastly, head back to the start/finish line off Alki beach. Finish the race between the finish line buoy and shore.
Note: the race must be completed within 1 hour and 15 minutes to ensure an on-time start of the long course events. The lead escort boat will determine if any crew or individual racer is unable to complete this time and request the crew/racer to return to shore. No shame try again next year.
da Long Course - 12 miles
Good for OC6 or doube-hull only.
These races start out front. Canoes paddle west toward Alki Point and then across Puget Sound toward Blake Island. The course circles Blake Island clockwise (around the south end first) then back to Alki Beach. Finish the race between the finish line buoy and shore. Simple.
Please be extra-careful close to shore. Watch out for swimmers and wildlife. The course veers away from a known seal area but it is the responsibility of all waʻa to navigate away from seals, swimmers, ferries, and tugboats—all da kine. Mahalo!
Canoe Launching & Parking
Registration and the Start/Finish line will be on Alki Beach in West Seattle. The race will be located along Alki Ave SW between 55th Ave SW and 57th Ave SW. Look for the SOCC tent.
The easiest place to launch is Dan Armeni Boat Ramp, 1222 Harbor Ave. SW. Trailer parking is available for $12.00/day. If you choose to launch here, you will need to rig your canoe and paddle approximately 1.3 miles west to the beach. Someone from your club/team should register your crew(s) by 8:00 AM. Have your canoe at the beach by 8:30 AM for the steerspersons’ meeting. This is an active boat ramp, so be mindful of other folks doing their thing.
You may also unload and launch along the beach near 2600 Alki Ave. SW. In the morning, you should be able to pull the trailer along the beach and unload. Unfortunately, you cannot park your trailer on Alki Ave. SW. You may find parking near Alki Playground on 38th or 39th Ave. SW at SW Stevens, but parking is limited. You may find it difficult to load your canoes back on the trailer in the afternoon since traffic on Alki Ave. SW can be heavy in the afternoon. Car parking can be found along Alki Ave.
The beach is a public facility and foot/car traffic will be heavy. Please be respectful of all beach patrons and represent outrigger paddling in a positive way.
Water Safety
Each team must provide:
A US Coast Guard approved flotation device (PFD) for each paddler in the canoe and a whistle.
A spray skirt may be required, depending on weather conditions on race day.
Water temperatures should be in the low to mid-50s. Crews must be familiar with huli recovery techniques.
Boat traffic is expected to be moderate, with occasional wake, cross-chop, and seasonal northerlies. Shipping traffic may cross the course, heading north or south on Puget Sound. Steerspersons be alert at all times (get orcas too). Be particularly aware of ferry and ship traffic, including tugboats. Ferry and ship wake can be large and fast-moving. Tugboats may tow barges or logs that are not visible. Do not attempt to cross in front of ferries or ships or immediately behind tugboats.
All SUP, OC1, OC2, V1 and Surfski paddlers must wear a leash and have a PFD on board. NO EXCEPTIONS. Anyone without a leash and PFD will not be allowed to race.
The weather can be warm on the beach, so teams are encouraged to bring tents for sun protection.
“All-Gender” Crews
*The “All Gender” Division is open to all paddlers, regardless of sex or gender identity, with no minimum or maximum gender requirements for crew composition.
SOCC has made a commitment to expand our capacity, as a hui, to be gender inclusive, including recognition of gender identity and expression beyond the gender binary of male and female, which has roots in many Pacific cultures. We have decided to extend this to our racing categories for DaGrind. Instead of offering a typical “Mixed” category which requires a minimum of 3 women, we are creating an “All Gender” category. Teams can register any combination of paddlers. In this category, we welcome crews that include mixed genders, while also creating a space for paddlers whose identity does not fall within the gender binary. We also recognize that non-binary and gender diverse paddlers may opt to paddle on wahine or kane crews and we do not intend for the creation of this space to limit that participation. Mahalo to PNWORCA and the broader paddling community for supporting Seattle Outrigger's commitment to gender inclusivity and recognizing full gender-expansive identities within our communities.
Merch
da Grind merch is available through Pre-Order form here.
Order form closes Saturday, August 1st to ensure delivery by race day. Very limited supply will be available to purchase on race day.
Race Results
2023 da Grind
2013 da Grind
