Holiday Paddle at Half Moon Bay’s Pillar Point Harbor Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 10 AM
—————————-Paddle Details—————————
*Wear a Santa hat, reindeer antlers or any other festive holiday hat and follow Santa and Mrs. Claus on a parade route around the inside breakwater of the harbor. SUPs and kayaks welcome.
*To participate, per Coast Guard regs, EVERYONE must wear a life vest/PFD or have one on their SUP/kayak! Kids 13 and younger must be wearing it. Harbor patrol will be present and enforcing this!
*Arrive no later than 9:30 AM for a prompt 10 AM launch.
*The parade route will be at least one lap around the harbor’s inside breakwater, pier and docks. The holiday paddle will NOT go into the outer breakwater or into open ocean. Only advanced and experienced paddlers can venture out of the inside breakwater and do so on their own and at their own risk.
*Water within the breakwater is typically protected, calm and flat unless there are high winds or poor weather in which case, the event may be canceled.
*There’s lots to see – harbor seals, sealions, lots of different seabirds, possibly jellyfish and jumping salmon (just a reminder, per federal regulations, please keep 50 yards or 150 ft distance from the seals on the float).
*This is a free event. No registration required, just show up to paddle or cheer on the paddlers from the pier.
——————————-Location Info———————————–
*Find the paddle location by inputting 2 Johnson Pier, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019 into your navigation app as your destination and park in the parking lot nearby (HMB Kayak Co is located here, but NOT associated/affiliated or sponsoring this event).
*Launch will be at the public beach next to Half Moon Bay Kayak Co
*Parking is free
*Public restrooms are nearby
*Lots of great restaurants close by for eating before or afterwards
——————–Warnings and Disclaimers————————————
*Harbor patrol will be present and enforcing Coast Guard regs so EVERYONE must have a life vest/PFD on their person or on their board and anyone under the age of 13 is required to wear a life vest/PFD. Failure to comply may result in warnings or a ticket from the harbor patrol.
*The buddy system is encouraged for safety so bring a friend or make a new one at the event.
*Event may be canceled for bad weather or high winds.
*There is an inherent risk of personal injury while paddling. The organizer assumes no responsibility for your safety if you participate in this event. Everyone acts as a safety paddler and will respond to help a fellow paddler in distress to the level they are able. You are responsible for your own safety, for following Coast Guard regs, and by voluntarily participating in this event, you fully agree with these statements and release any and all organizers from any claims or legal liability.
