Stoke Factor Five - 10,340 Waves

Since March of 2015 I have tracked over 10340 waves ridden. Almost one third of those 10340 waves were ridden in 2025. I started tracking my surf stats and adventures on January 1st, 2012. Over the years I've added more data points to help me track trends and discover new goals and personal best records to break. In March 2015, I got the RipCurl GPS surf watch which opened the doors to a lot more data worth tracking like; waves, top speed, distance, time duration, and longest wave. Later I learned there was a surf session playback feature where you could replay a session. That allowed me to track the slower and shorter waves ridden and helped increase my trackable wave count. 

Some of those years between 2015 and 2025 had low wave counts. Some months had no waves ridden at all.  Wether that was because of injuries, working from predawn till after dark, depression, bad weather, or other priority responsibilities. 2025 was a huge opportunity year for me for many reasons.  I took the year off work to focus on recovering for injuries that put me in the ICU more than once. I figured I earned a little time off to catch up on living since I almost died twice from surgery complications. I was also trying to find that silver lining around getting laid off work at the end of 2024 after 24 years of service. I wanted to look back at 2025 and know that I used my time off as best as I could, focusing on the things I love most.

NO BAD TIDES - RAW 2025-02-04

No Bad Tides by Eric Cedeno

On January 1st I set a goal to try and surf 15 days a month. Sure, there were days that had very short surf sessions with very low wave counts, but at least I was putting in the effort to power thru the pain and funk. I rode more waves (326 waves) in February 2025 than I did for the entire year of 2018 (277 waves). Actually I broke my personal best wave count high scores six out of the 12 months (in 2025). There were three factors that helped my wave count go up. The first was my wife would go to the beach with me and shoot photos and videos of me surfing. The second was I set that goal to try and surf 15 days a month. The third was I signed up to compete in the South Bay Boardriders Surf Series for Open Longboard.  

2025-12-13 Porto contest - Steve Gaffney

I met so many great people thru the SBBC Surf and Paddle Series. All those contests had their own ups and downs. I did my best to take whatever lessons learned I could find. One open Longboard contest at El Porto had big waves that caused some PTSD to resurface from surf trauma from years ago. I had to learn new techniques to navigate my emotions in dangerous surf conditions. I learned of tapping and meditation techniques to release fear and refocus on the postivitives that had control of in those dangerous moments. A few contests later I was back at El Porto on a big day and caught a huge wave that finally broke my Top Speed record that had been holding since March 2015 (17.3 MPH). My friend Steph said that was one of the biggest waves I he'd seen me ride. At 18 MPH it was now one of the fastest too. 

South Bay Boardriders Club Event #4 on 3/15/25 at Porto

No Bad Tides by Eric Cedeno

I hit 18 MPH fastest wave for my stats and stoked to finally beat that first day in March of 2015! I ended up placing 3rd over all in the final.

2025-08-28 Ofre and SBBC

No Bad Tides by Eric Cedeno

Fun day at Ofre surfing with some of the SBBC members.

I rode 22 different surfboards in 2025. I also broke my 11 of my personal best records for most waves surfed. The vast majority of those waves were ridden on longboards, but I still got some in waves on my hybrids, shortboards, prone paddle boards, and even body surfing too.  I got to ride a few of the hallow wooden surfboards my wife and I made together. 

GSurfShot

BROG Soul Performance 2025 12 23

No Bad Tides by Eric Cedeno

I got the chance to test drive this custom 9'1 carbon fiber/ Cork longboard shaped by Mark Brog at Soul Performance. It has a deep spoon with channels in the nose that make nose riding stable and fast. Check them out at https://soulperformance.com

In June 2025 I rediscovered prone paddling. I had paddled a two times in 2017 and once in 2018 on a 16'6" Bark unlimited, but didn't stick with it and sold my board in 2020. After the South Bay Boardriders Club (SBBC) Surf Series ended the Prone Paddle Series started. I borrowed a 12' stock board from my friend and entered my first 2 mile race ever. I ended up getting 1st place for my age and division and was hooked. I entered all the 2 miles races for the season and got 1st place for my age/division in every race. I also joined a relay team and together we got 2nd place in the 22 mile Rock to Rock race from Catalina Island to Cabrillo Beach. 

Prone paddling is such a good way to stack up ocean miles in my stats, including waves ridden. In 2025 I tracked 157 waves in 88 sessions on a range of prone paddle boards. I paddled everything from Stock 12', 14' and 16'+ Unlimited. It feels like prone paddling is two times easier than surfing. Even my wife took up prone paddling with me and I collected stats for her too.  I have two RipCurl GSP watches so I can get data for her and I both. She got 42 waves and covered just over 230 miles from June thru the end of December. She really enjoys paddling with me and it cracks her up when she beats my top MPH for a session. I swear her watch is broken and not tracking correctly, but I still write down her stats. It's worth it to see that big glowing smile.

Prone Paddling at Redondo King Harbor

No Bad Tides by Eric Cedeno

It's been incredibly fun prone paddling with ‪@wood_brain‬ this summer. I feel like I'm in the best shape of my life and I'm looking forward to the next season of competitive surfing and paddling.

"32 Miles" Is A Documentary Worth Watching

 

I just rediscovered prone paddling on June 7th (2025), when a friend talked me into signing up for R10 Race hosted by the South Bay Boardriders Club (SBBC). The race has two courses and 8 mile course for the more experienced paddlers and a 2 mile course for newbies like me. I finished first in division in the 2 Mile R10 race and was immediately hooked.  I signed up for the next race the South Bay Paddle and again hosted the SBBC. There was a 15 mile course and another 2 mile course. I did the 2 mile course and again placed first in my division. I got a relay team and did the Rock to Rock, then the Velzy-Stevens 2 mile, then the 2 mile Catalina Cup.

I swept the season and got first in every 2 mile race in my division (12' stock adult male). Over the season I became friends with so many prone paddlers. I took lessons with Kurt and DJ at Oceans Prone. I try to learn something from every paddler I met, even new paddlers had insights that I found incredibly useful. Right after the Catalina Cup race I stayed on the beach at the Manhattan Beach pier and watch amazing athletes finish the Catalina Classic, their 32 miles. I kept running into friends and telling them they are my hero for finishing those 32 miles. 

A few weeks later I got a call from Tom Horton, the president of the SBBC and was invited to go watch a film about Paddling the Catalina Classic.  The film 32 Miles was showing at the Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood as part of the Silicon Film Festival. We all met up in El Segundo and took a party bus to downtown. It was awesome! The conversations, the vibes, the whole trip there was so comfortable and fun that I almost wished the drive was longer. 

Watching the film on the big screen was a sight worth seeing. I really felt like I was there in the water on this 32 mile journey with my friends. The story unfolded and it was a wild ride. Everything from the ocean conditions, the pain and joy. I'll admit that on more than one occasion my eyes teared up. I have a deep respect for the men and women that have slayed the 32 miles from Catalina to Manhattan pier. The film 32 Miles really showcases what prone paddling is about, its deep history and its beautiful future. 

So here you go, check out the film here and get inspired to get in the ocean and experience what it's like to prone paddle.

32 Miles

Black Line Logo

"32 Miles" is a documentary that intertwines two compelling narrative arcs, showcasing the resilience and determination of athletes and organizers alike. In one narrative, viewers are thrust into the heart of the action as athletes gear up and tackle the legendary Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race. Spanning 32 miles from Catalina Island to the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, this grueling race is the ultimate test of endurance for paddlers from across the globe. Through breathtaking cinematography and intimate interviews, audiences witness the physical and mental challenges these courageous competitors face as they battle fierce ocean currents and unimaginable fatigue to reach the finish line. Simultaneously, the film delves into the behind-the-scenes effort of the South Bay Boardrider's Club and the City of Manhattan Beach to honor the rich history and legacy of the Catalina Classic. With meticulous attention to detail, the organizers navigate bureaucratic hurdles and logistical obstacles to erect a monumental bronze statue at the base of the Manhattan Beach pier. As they confront numerous setbacks, their unwavering commitment to preserving the spirit of the race and celebrating its participants shines through. As both storylines converge, "32 Miles" captures the essence of perseverance in the face of adversity. Whether battling the unforgiving waters or bureaucratic red tape, the protagonists of this documentary demonstrate the power of passion, teamwork, and sheer determination to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Ultimately, the film serves as a tribute to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring legacy of the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race.

SBBC R10 2 Mile Short Course Paddleboard Race

 

Up to the day of the SBBC R10 Paddleboard Race I had only paddled on a prone paddle board 3 times in the last couple of decades. On top of that I had never even paddled on a 12' stock board. My friend had a 12' stock board he said I could barrow for the race and told me that I could either sign up for the 8 Mile or the shorter 2 Mile course. I thought it over and after weighing the Pro's and Con's of each course, the possible weather conditions and my own lack of experience I decided to do the 2 Mile course. 

I picked up the board from my friends house the night before the race. I checked the weather and surf forecast for the 100th time and felt a little better about the 2 Mile course. It would start to Torrance beach and run north to around Avenue C and back. At 7:30 am the hard core paddlers started the 8 Mile race to the R10 Buoy from Torrance beach. Just before 8:00 am the announcement went out to get in the water line up at the starting line for the 2 Mile.  I was suited up and as ready as I was going to be.

I grabbed the 12' Bark stock board by Surftech that my friend let me barrow. I jumped on the board for the first time and paddled thru the surf. All the competitors formed a line at the red buoy and we waiting for the starting horn to sound. At 8 am sharp the horn rang out. Everyone began paddling, sprinting and the pack started to spread out. I was trying my best to stay with the top 5 others and that was not easy. The three leading paddlers kept adding distance. I held my pace, stroke after stoke making progress towards the buoy a mile from the starting line.  

I rounded the buoy and sprinted another 100 yards. I regained some lost ground and began catching up to the person in the 4th position. Another half mile down the beach I finally passed him, holding my pace, never letting up and not looking back. I made the final left turn at the starting buoy and headed for the sand. Digging deep I caught a small wave but fell off to the side. Luckily my board stayed near me. Quickly, I jumped back on and paddled the rest of the way to the shore line. My wife, sister and nephews all cheered me on as I sprinted up the sand bank to final finish line. 

I was stoked to discover that I had finished 4th overall and I was first in my division (18 to 49 years old on 12' stock paddle board). Shortly after 2 mile the race Matt Walls started the awards ceremony. He called out the the top three finishers for each division and handed out metals to each winner. Matt called my name and cheers rang out as he handed off the blue ribbon first place metal to me. I felt so accomplished. I definitely expanded my comfort zone by doing something I had never done before. Now I'm really excited to enter the next race and see if I can do even better. This is definitely the type of event any new paddleboarder should try out.