Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival

from sfgate.com.  Sounds like a lot of fun.  any ncka competitors?

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Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival

The 22nd Annual Santa Cruz Kayak Surf Festival takes place this weekend at Steamer Lane point break in Santa Cruz. It's a chance to witness top kayak surfers bring their skills to the waves on one of the world's most renowned breaks. Word on the street is that international competitors are eager to challenge top local kayak surfers on their home turf, so spectators can expect quite a show. The competition features three categories: novice, intermediate and expert. Lighthouse Point, which overlooks Steamer Lane, will provide prime viewing and play-by-play contest commentary. In addition to the competition, a handful of manufacturers will be on hand displaying new kayaks and gear. Afterward, check out one of the nightly town parties for food, beverages and surf kayaking video highlights. Fri.-Sun. Lighthouse Point (along Westcliff Drive), Santa Cruz. (831) 458-3648, www.asudoit.com/kayak_fest.

I always enjoy spectating this event.
I really enjoyed the 2002(?) preliminary heats at Manresa. Boats were splintered in the 8' faces, the guards had a zodiac & a PWC for rescues (and the team of 4 was BUSY). It was gnarly.
I went with just a cup of coffee & no sunscreen because I figured I would only be there for an hour or so. I spent the whole day watching them, & left hungry, sunburned, but thoroughly entertained. Mark from Kayak Connection is often a competitor.
Get there early or be prepared to spend some time looking for parking if the weather is nice.
I'd be there but I'll be skiing this weekend. Enjoy!

  The heats start at 7 on friday and saturday, and at 8 on sunday. I usually park at Cowell's on sunday before 6am and paddle out from there. The parking meters don't kick in 'till 10am.
  Last year was real nice. Good size and real clean. Me and a couple boadie's all alone for an hour until about 7 when a bunch of butt surfers surfed 'till 8. Then there wasn't much to surf on besides the competition areas that you have to stay away from.
  This year there isn't enough daylight to make it worth while--unless it's real big and there's breakers all the way to Cowell's.
  I think it would be a good opportunity for any of you to catch a few waves in your SOT's and practice your surf zone skills at cowells, as long as it not too big. Usually it's not. Surfline has a camera at steamer lane and at Cowells.
   Kayak Connection will have a booth with demos. Mark Pastik is probably competing. If you don't have a roll, they will have some wave skiis. You should have a helmut.
  This area is very territorial, but this is the one weekend when the local boardies let paddlers have their beach.