2024 Race Packet: Registration Form and Waivers

• Click the link below to download the complete race packet for the 2024 Da Grind race.
• For OC6 crews, print and complete 6 copies of the liability form found on the last page of the packet
• Print and bring complete printed Registration Form and Waivers with race fee to the registration desk the morning of the race.
• No pre-registration is available, but any questions or a friendly notification of your club’s attendance is always welcome. Email [email protected]

Event Schedule:

• 7:00 am: Registration and canoe/equipment preparation
• 8:30 am: Steerspersons’ meeting and pule
• 9:00 am: Short Course – All categories
• 10:30 am: Women’s & Mixed OC6 Race Start
• 1:00 pm: Men’s (1/2 hour after the finish of Women’s/Mixed Race)
• 3:30 pm: Awards & Raffle

Subject to change based on conditions and completion of event

Race Fees

● $45 per paddler for long course
● $25 per paddler for short course

Da Grind Shirt included with each registration!
Registration fee required for each paddler per event.
Reduced race fee of $15 if competing in 2+ events where an additional shirt is not needed.
Fee waived for adult steersperson supporting keiki crews in short course.
Please pay with check or cash at race check-in. Venmo also available. Make checks payable to “SOCC”.

Boat Launching & Parking

Registration and the Start/Finish line will be on Alki Beach. 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 for the day. If you choose to launch here, you will need to rig your canoe and paddle approximately 1.3 miles west to the beach. You should have someone register at 8:00 AM, with your canoe at the beach by 9:00 AM for the steerspersons’ meeting. This is an active boat ramp, so please be aware of other boats launching.

You may also choose to 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 it is first-come-first-served. You may find it difficult to load your canoes back on the trailer in the afternoon since traffic on Alki Ave. SW can be very heavy in the middle of the day. 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.

Registration and the Start/Finish line will be on the beach at Alki – look for the SOCC tent.

The Short Course – 4 Miles

(Novice/Juniors OC6, OC1/2, SUP)

The course will start, heading northeast towards Duwamish Head (northern point). First turn is counterclockwise (left) at a permanent channel marker, about one hundred feet from the shore. Head southwest for about 1.5 miles toward the second and final counterclockwise turn is at a race buoy set up at Alki Point Lighthouse. Head to the start/finish lne off Alki beach and completing the race between the finish line buoy and the shore.

Race must be completed within 1 hour and 15 minutes from start of the event to ensure timely start of long course events. The lead escort boat will determine if any crew or individual racer is unable to complete this time and will request the crew to return to shore.

The Long Course – 12 Miles

(OC6 only)

The course will start off at the beach. Canoes will paddle west, toward Alki Point, and then across Puget Sound toward Blake Island. The course circles Blake Island clockwise, going around the south end, then north along the west side, circling back around the north end of the island and heading back to Alki Beach.

Please be extra-careful close to shore, watching out for swimmers and wildlife. The course will veer away from the known seal area but it is the responsibility of all waʻa to navigate away from seals, swimmers, ferries, and tugboats.

Canoe Borrowing

For PNWORCA clubs, please contact Tyler ([email protected]) at PNWORCA to organize borrowing canoes for the races. All other paddlers, please contact Da Grind race organizers for more information ([email protected])”

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 wakes and cross-chop. Shipping traffic may cross the course, heading north or south on Puget Sound. Steerspersons should be alert at all times. Be particularly aware of ferry and ship traffic, including tugboats. Ferry and ship wakes can be large and fast-moving. Tugboats may be towing 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 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 quite warm on the beach, so teams are encouraged to bring tents for sun protection.

Food:

• There are many food establishments on Alki Ave. SW. Paddlers may also potluck.
• There is no alcohol allowed on the beach.
• Please plan to pack out all trash and recycling from the beach. Bins are located nearby the race location. Thank you!

Side Notes:

• Dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Pre-registration & contact information:
[email protected]

Driving Directions:

(Note: To get your own directions type “Alki beach park” in Google Maps)

From I-5:

1. Follow signs for W Seattle Bridge (Exit 163)
2. Take the exit for Harbor Ave SW (not Harbor Island exit) 2.4 mi
3. Turn right onto Harbor Ave SW 0.3 mi
4. Continue onto Alki Ave SW (Harbor Ave turns into Alki Ave) 1.8 mi
5. Registration will be on the beach on the right (look for the SOCC tent)