Event Day Details and FAQ
Kayak Connection will be opening at 7:30am. If you are renting, please arrive by 7:30, with the intention of being at Kayak Connection to do your rental paperwork, and to receive a safety talk about exiting and entering the harbor mouth in breaking waves. This safety talk is open to all participants, so even if you have your own kayak, please join the safety talk at 7:30am if you can.
Start and Finish Location
The race will be starting and finishing at the Santa Cruz Harbor, where we will be staging both kayaks and bikes. Plan to have your gear staged by 8:15am.
Maps will be distributed at 8:15am and we plan to start with a short on foot prologue stage (1 mile) at 9:00am followed by the kayak.
Please see below map for recommended parking areas. For those bringing their own kayaks, note that we recommend parking in the pay by hour parking (shown in green) in the morning trough the end of the paddle. This will allow for easy loading of your kayak back onto your car after the paddle. From here, as part of the transition, you will move your car and kayak to the recommended free street parking area. If you choose not to use the pay by hour parking, then note that you will just need to carry your kayak farther, or move your car back and forth as part of the transition - your call!
Kayak & Bike Drop Off Location
You will need to provide your own kayaks, paddles, and PFDs. If you don't own a boat, ask around if you can borrow one (we have a great community on Facebook), or you can (preferably) rent at Kayak Connection (at the Harbor).
We have coordinated with Kayak Connection to open early, at 7:30am, for those that are renting. If you are renting, please do let Kayak Connection know that you will be part of the BRAWL and will check in at 7:30am on Saturday.
For those that are bringing your own kayak, please stage your kayak near with your Bike at Twin Lakes beach. We will have volunteers at this location to watch after kayaks and bikes. Note that there is a $10 fee for boat launch - please bring cash for this fee.
Bikes will also be staged at the Twin Lakes beach. All participants should have their bikes staged prior to 8:15am.
Maps
We will be providing paper maps to all racers. Please bring a map case, zip lock bag, or other waterproof case to hold your maps (especially for the paddle).
Maps will use the standard CalTopo background for all maps, except for one section which will use OpenStreetMap background. They will be 11x17 in size and will have a 1:25,000 scale for main maps and 1:12,500 for trekking sections. 1km grid lines will be shown on the maps.
24 Hour Event Estimated Segment Lengths
Paddle: 10 miles, 0' elevation gain
Trek: 17 miles, 3,000' elevation gain
Bike: 69 miles, 8,700' elevation gain
Depending on weather, we will have alternate courses that may change all distances. We will be paying close attention to the ocean conditions as well as the rain. If the trails are saturated, we will adjust the bike sections significantly, so as not to impact the single track trails.
Course Overview. Note that you will have an opportunity to bike by your cars midway through Leg 6. This will be a good opportunity to resupply on food, water and gear. There will also be a short ~1 mile prologue trek to start the race, prior to the kayak leg.
12 Hour Event Estimated Segment Lengths
Paddle: 4 miles, 0' elevation gain
Trek: 12 miles, 2,000' elevation gain
Bike: 27 miles, 2,600' elevation gain
Depending on weather, we will have alternate courses that may change all distances. We will be paying close attention to the ocean conditions as well as the rain. If the trails are saturated, we will adjust the bike sections significantly, so as not to impact the single track trails.
Course Overview: There will also be a short ~1 mile prologue trek to start the race, prior to the kayak leg.
Donations
We are keeping this race super scrappy. Our only real expense is map printing and some homemade checkpoint flags. If you do want to make a donation as part of your race participation, we will have a QR code at the start line. Any money raised over our expenses will be donated to Santa Cruz Trail Stewardship, who have created & maintain many of the amazing trails that you all will be riding and trekking on for the event.
FAQs
(Q) Do we have a start location?
(A) The race will be starting and finishing at the Santa Cruz Harbor, where we will be staging both kayaks and bikes.
(Q) What is the start time?
(A) We will start at 9:00am. Maps will be handed out at 8:15am.
(Q) Where to park?
(A) There is street parking available in areas surrounding the Harbor. You will have an opportunity to restock supplies from your car after the Kayak, and again about ½ way through the 24 hour race. 12 hour course will only pass by your car after the kayak and at the finish.
(Q) Will there be bins or refuel options?
(A) This will be a fully self supported training event. The 12 hour course will take you past the Harbor start area (where your cars will be parked near) 1 time - once after the kayak. The 24 hour course will take you past the Harbor start area (where your cars will be parked near) 2 times - once after the kayak, and then again about half way through the event. You will also be traveling through urban areas a few times during the event, so bring cash or card for convenience store options.
(Q) Is there a place to possibly camp nearby?
(A) We have reserved all 5 camp sites at Rancho del Oso near Waddell Beach. This can accommodate up to 10 cars and 30 people. It is located about 30 minutes from the start line. Each site is $22 for the night, or $11 per car/3 people. If you want to grab one of these sites, please email me and reserve your spot (reservations and availability will be tracked here). Once these are gone, another option is to camp at Mount Madonna, which is also about 30 minutes from the start line. Currently there are a number of available sites there.
(Q) What is the course looking like?
(A) It’s gonna be awesome, of course! Here are the current distance estimates:
12 Hour
Paddle: 4 miles
Trek: 12 miles
Bike: 27 miles
24 Hour
Paddle: 10 miles
Trek: 17 miles
Bike: 69 miles
Depending on weather, we will have alternate courses that may change all distances. We will be paying close attention to the ocean conditions as well as the rain. If the trails are saturated, we will adjust the bike sections significantly, so as not to impact the single track trails.
(Q) What will the weather be like?
(A) After last year’s BRAWL, it should be sunny and clear - we got all the rain last year :) But seriously, plan for anything, March could be cool at night (low 40s) and warm in the day (70s) or anything in between. Rain is possible for sure, but we are hoping it stays dry so that you can experience our best biking trails. Things we do know:
Sunrise: 7:15am
Sunset: 7:16pm
Moonrise (quarter moon): 11:17am
Moonset: 3:02am
Low Tide: 11:10am (-0.08’)
High Tide: 6:49pm (3.20’)
(Q) Will there be a 6 hour event?
(A) There will officially be 12 hour and 24 hour events. However, you are welcome to make the training event your own and pick off the pieces that feel like the right challenge for you. We will always be available via phone to call in and advise on a way to return, if needed. You could also choose to skip a section (like the kayak) and create a distance/length that feels right for you. We will only officially release results for the 12 and 24 Hour lengths.
(Q) This will be my first AR. Understating this is a “training event,” is this a solo or team event? If it’s a team event, do you know if there are any teams open to taking a novice in?
(A) As this is a training event, any team size is allowed - singles up to teams of 4. For those looking for a team or teammate, here is a sheet to help you make a connection.
