The Wild Buffalo Race is an all-small craft race within the SoCal Ocean Racing winter series. The race includes all small craft divisions with relay teams of 2-4 people (depending on the craft) or select solo divisions. The race runs from Avalon, Catalina Island, CA to the Newport Aquatic Center in Newport Beach, CA. This is a 32 mile race that runs on Sunday in early April every year. This race is surrounded by a paddling event weekend running friday - sunday that is included in registration. We have a short course race on Saturday, a Paddler Symposium hosted by Cocktails and Canoes on Saturday, hiking and yoga on Friday and Saturday and an after party with a meal and awards on Sunday after the channel crossing is complete.

  • Wild Buffalo Relay

    • All small crafts are welcome: OC1, OC2, V1, V3, SS1, SS2, SUP, Paddleboard…
    • Relay teams of 2-4 people depending on craft. OC1, V1, SS1, SUP and Paddleboard can have either 2 person or 3 person teams. OC2 and SS2 can have a person team. V3 can have a 6 person team.
    • This race will always be on the Sunday of the event and is 32 miles from Avalon, Catalina Island to Newport Aquatic Center, Newport Beach, California.
    • Included in registration: race jersey to wear during the race, refreshments Saturday during clinics and talks, access to Paddler Symposium hosted by Cocktails and Canoes, hiking and yoga, after party meal and refreshments at NAC on Sunday.
    • Logistics: finding an escort boat, getting your craft to Catalina Island, getting your team to Catalina Island and borrowing/renting a craft if you are traveling from out of the area.

  • Wild Buffalo Solo Race

    • All small crafts are welcome: OC1, OC2, V1, V3, SS1, SS2, SUP, Paddleboard…
    • This is the solo race. No relay. In order to race solo, pre-qualification is required before registering.
    • This race will always be on the Sunday of the event and is 32 miles from Avalon, Catalina Island to Newport Aquatic Center, Newport Beach, California.
    • Included in registration: race jersey to wear during the race, swag bag, all WBR events on the island, hiking and yoga, after party meal and refreshments at NAC on Sunday.
    • Logistics: finding an escort boat, getting your craft to Catalina Island, getting you and/or your team to Catalina Island and borrowing/renting a craft if you are traveling from out of the area.

  • Baby Buffalo

    • All small crafts are welcome: OC1, OC2, V1, V3, SS1, SS2, SUP, Paddleboard…
    • This is our short course.
    • This race will always be on the Saturday of the event and is an approx. 5 mile course outside of Avalon, Catalina Island, California.
    • Included in registration: race jersey to wear during the race, swag bag, all WBR events on the island, hiking and yoga, after party meal and refreshments at NAC on Sunday.
    • Logistics: getting you and/or your team to Catalina Island and borrowing/renting a craft that is racing across the channel on Sunday and can be used for the short course on Saturday.
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