The Whitey Harrison Canoe Classic is hosted by the Dana Outrigger Canoe Club and is a 20-mile 9-man outrigger canoe race. The race begins just outside of Dana Point harbor, where paddlers head North past Dana Point thru scenic Laguna Beach to the turnaround point at Main Beach, Laguna. The canoes then set their sights on historic Dana Point and head home towards the finish line at Doheny Beach, Orange County's most popular longboard surfing beach.
Named after Lorrin "Whitey" Harrison, this race originally started in Newport Beach and was established in 1971 as part of the Dana Point Harbors opening ceremonies. Besides the prestigious Catalina crossing race, The Whitey Harrison Classic is KOA's (Kalifornia Outrigger Association) most popular and well-attended 9-Man race.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
6:00 am - UNLOAD AND RIG CANOES
7:00 am - REGISTER TEAMS
8:00 am - REGISTRATION CLOSES - STEERSPERSON MEETING (THE ONLY ONE!)
8:30 am - START OF WOMEN'S RACE
8:40 am - START OF CoEd RACE
12:30 pm - Lunch Service
12:30 pm - START OF MEN'S RACE
4:00 pm - AWARDS CEREMONY (1st thru 4th in all divisions)
RAFFLE (SEE INSERT)
DIRECTIONS TO RACE:
5 Freeway to Hwy 1/Beach Cites Exit. Turn left on Dana Harbor Drive
CANOES AND ESCORT BOATS: then proceed to Embarcadero Place turn left
PADDLERS: turn left at Doheny State Park (see map).
Dana Outrigger paddlers will provide a shuttle from the State Park to the Launching Area.
State Park Fee of $3.00 is charged to each vehicle.
PLEASE NOTE: Coaches you must read the following sections in detail. This race can run smoothly, but only if you prepare your paddlers and escort boat owners for a smooth start and transition between races.
RACE LOGISTICS:
LAUNCHING AT EMBARCADERO:
A fee of will be charged for each canoe. All trailers must be removed by Saturday night. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated. Bring cradles to rest and rig your canoe on since this area is completely paved. We strongly recommend that all club's and escort boat operators arrange to bring their canoes and boats down on Friday before the race. This is a public launch ramp so it's been full by 6:30 a.m. Please observe common courtesy and respect for fellow boat owners that are not involved with our race so they can also have easy access to the launch ramp. The Dana Outrigger Canoe Club accepts no responsibility for canoes and/or escort boats that are unable to gain entry due to a full launch ramp. There is no other launch ramp in the area should you arrive late and be turned away. Please consider this suggestion and allow adequate time in the morning.
REGISTRATION:
All registration will take place in the morning prior to the women's race. Please note: If you only have a men's team racing you still must register in the morning.
ESCORT BOATS:
Your escort boat request must be received no later than August 1st. Escort boat fees will be refunded only if you cancel 48 hours prior to race day. It is the coach's responsibility to contact their escort boat operator prior to race day to prearrange a meeting place and to exchange pertinent information (canoe colors, name etc.). Please respect your escort boat owners' requests and always let common courtesy prevail. Offer to help clean and rinse vessels, after all it's you they're doing the favor for. We would like to ask this same skipper to escort our race next year. Should your boat owner place a complaint, your escort boat privilege will be denied the following year. If you supply your own escort boat then you must still turn the boat operator's waiver at the time of registration.
FOOD:
TBD
PARTY:
There will be a party at Hennessy's immediately following the awards.
PLACES TO REST YOUR WEARY HEAD:
$$ BEST WESTERN MARINA INN
24800 DANA POINT HARBOR DRIVE
DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA 92629
(949) 496-1203
$$$ MARRIOT LAGUNA CLIFFS RESORT
25135 PARK LANTERN
DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA 92629
(949) 661-5000
$$$ DOUBLETREE GUEST SUITES
34402 PACIFIC COAST HWY
DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA 92629
(949) 496-8285
$$ HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
34744 COAST HWY
CAPISTRANO BEACH, CALIFORNIA 92624
(949) 240-0150
$$ DANA POINT QUALITY INN
34280 COAST HWY
DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA 92629
(949) 240-1000
$ DANA POINT HARBOR INN
25325 DANA POINT HARBOR DRIVE
DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA 92629
(949) 493-5001
$$$ - EXPENSIVE BUT VERY NICE
$$ - MODERATE
CAMPING:
DOHENY STATE PARK
25300 DANA POINT HARBOR DRIVE
DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA 92629
(949) 496-6171
SAN CLEMENTE STATE BEACH
225 AVENIDA CALAFIA
SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA 92672
(949) 492-3156 |
