Showcased against the dramatic backdrop of the California Coast and the intensity of the Pacific Ocean, the Ocean Blue Adventure Race is staged near the communities of Half Moon Bay and El Granada in the Pillar Point Harbor area.

Though this is the home of the infamous Mavericks surf break which boasts the toughest surf contest in the world, Ocean Blue participants will paddle in the calmer, gentler, summer waves before biking and running amongst the manzanita and eucalyptus trees along sandy beaches and bluff tops with outstanding ocean views.

The Ocean Blue Adventure Race is a good event for participants of all levels. It provides a challenge to newbies and veterans alike who may be taking the sport of adventure racing a bit more seriously. Designed for finishing times of 6 to 12 hours, Ocean Blue is a perfect middle ground between sprint races (like the Ocean Blue Sprint) and 24 hour races (like the Oakridge 24 Hour Adventure Race). The Ocean Blue Adventure Race caters to athletes with some adventure racing endurance and experience eager to explore a new level.

The sport is for teams of one, two, three or four people (all male, all female or coed). All participants will kayak, mountain bike and travel on foot through the trails of the park. Orienteering is also an integral part of the event and it is recommended that at least one team member have orienteering experience. Team members must stay within 100 meters of each other throughout the event.

The shorter, 2-4 hour Ocean Blue Sprint occurs on the same day and place. See Ocean Blue Sprint for more details.

The Ocean Blue Adventure Race is part of Seventh Wave Productions' Big Blue Adventure Series, which also includes XTERRA Tahoe City, Tahoe Big Blue, Big Blue Adventure Sprint, Red Tail Adventure Race, Kit Carson 24 Hour Adventure Race and Silver Sage, among others.

KAYAKING
Participants will kayak 5 to 7 miles on the Pacific Ocean. The course travels the highly scenic Northern California Coast. There is always the possibility of a slight swell.

ORIENTEERING
The race provides teams with Topographic maps that describe the shape of the land. They define and locate natural and manmade features (forests, creeks, rivers, canyons, buildings, bridges.) They show the distance between any two places, and they also show the direction from one point to another.Distances and directions take a bit of figuring, but the topography and features of the land are easy to determine. The topography is shown by contours. These are imaginary lines that follow the ground surface at a constant elevation; and can provide information on the natural form of the land around you. Throughout the Ocean Blue Adventure Race you will navigate from place to place on land and water using topographic and other map forms and of course a compass. It is recommended that at least one team member have orienteering experience.

MOUNTAIN BIKING
There is over 20 miles of mountain biking on a mixture of single track, double track, fire road and pavement, with a total of 3000 feet elevation gain.

FOOT TRAVEL
Teams will travel 5 to 8 miles on foot over single track, fire roads and sand with approximately 800 feet of elevation gain.

GEAR
Participants are required to bring their own kayaks and paddles. For a list of mandatory and recommended gear, click here.

PREVIOUS WINNERS
2007 winners
Team: AR Nav Supply (3 person, coed)
Overall Time: 7:30

2006 winners
Team: Ultimate Directions (4 person, coed)
Overall Time: 6:12