Several thousand people gathered at the Santa Monica Pier last weekend to take part and witness the revival of a competitive paddelboarding event. This water sports has been made popular in Southern California in the 1940s and is now back to regain the interest of the public.

The race, sponsored by Honolua Surf Co, started at eight in the morning. The event featured a five and a half mile and one mile course that leads the competitors in the pier area.

The event is for the benefit for Heal the Bay, a locally-based non-profit organization that’s dedicated to the preservation of California’s coastal waters.

Honolua Surf Co’s Pat Fraley said that they were impressed with the huge turnabout at the event with many paddleboarding aficionados from all ages taking part or simply witnessing a resurgence of this sport.

More than 200 participants were present at the paddleboarding competition in their swimsuits.

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