The waters off Pacific Beach and Mission Bay will be turned into three separate race courses for hundreds of paddlers on surf ski, canoe, kayak and paddleboards as the 15th Annual Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge takes to the water Jan. 30. A long course off the Crystal Pier, a short course set-up inside Mission Bay and an “Under 12 Course” measuring 1,000 meters will give a wide variety of participants an opportunity to compete. The 9-mile open ocean course is the usual showcase for the competitive athletes and olympians who participate in the Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge every year. The short course is 4.75 miles long and takes is situated inside the relative tranquility of Mission Bay, as is the “Under 12” 100 meter race. For those who are unfamiliar with the race, it is surprising to see such a wide variety of craft participating in the competition. Dan Van Dyke, director of the race since 1996, has made the race open to any kind of craft. “I try to include sports as they evolve and develop,” he said. “The OC-1 and OC-2 [one man and two man outrigger canoe] were a part of the race in the beginning, but as standup paddleboards came on about six years ago, they were included.” The kayaks and traditional paddleboards just add dimension to the race and broaden the appeal to the widest array of participants. The Hanohano Huki Ocean Challenge draws competitive athletes such as Sean Brenner, Cliff Meidl (Olympian), Andrew McEwan (National Team Wild Water paddler), the winner of the women’s Surfski division, Deanne Hemmens (Olympian), and U.S. National team member Jennifer Burke, a regular participant in the race. In spite of the presence of serious competitors in the races, Van Dyke clearly wants the race to be fun and wants to open the event to all comers. “Before standup paddleboards were popular, we had one guy show up with his windsurf board and a paddle. We even had a rower compete in a traditional scull,” Van Dyke said. Challenged athletes are also welcome and have played prominent roles in the race, such as Outside Magazine’s 2011 Reader/Athlete of the year, Ryan Levinson. Levinson, who is battling muscular dystrophy, took part in the Ocean Challenge as part of his winter schedule of competitions which continues to amaze and inspire others. The youngest participant in the race was an 8 year-old and the oldest, an 80 year-old, so age is also not a barrier for entrants. “We want to keep the race all-inclusive and super positive for all the kids and adults that participate,” Van Dyke said. Van Dyke encourages everyone to participate and holds same day registration in keeping with that policy. The cost for registration is $20, and can be done online at www.hanohano.org.