The “Greatest Show on Surf” is coming to Orange County — the San Clemente Ocean Festival. And it is one of our favorite summer festivals. Because it is an all-encompassing, all-inclusive event for the whole family to enjoy.
From spectators to participants, the San Clemente Ocean Festival attracts 50,000 locally from Orange, San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, in addition to visitors from as far as Hawaii and Australia. Even after three decades of growth, the festival is still a volunteer organization, dedicated to the promotion and support of ocean safety, the environment and the community.
From athletic competitions to family contests to youth clinics, the festivities last all day on the beaches of the San Clemente Pier. Our Orange County Event Guide is filled to the brim with fun for the San Clemente Ocean Festival. Whether you are a world-class athlete or a local resident or tourist — there is plenty to do in Orange County for summer.
19 Things To Do at the San Clemente Ocean Festival
How do you get started? You need to know the things to do in Orange County for summer! It all starts with the San Clemente Ocean Festival. And, it just so happens that we are your connection to the southy county lifestyle. Check back with us every month for your Orange County Event Guide. We promise to deliver the must-do’s and must-try’s to love where you live.
Get ready for some summer fun! Keep scrolling for the 19 best things to do at the San Clemente Ocean Festival. And download the complete San Clemente Ocean Festival Guide here.
Event Sponsor: HOBIE SURF SHOP / Rash Guard Sponsor: COOLIES
6:00 am Registration/Check-in @ SURF Registration booth, North of Pier
6:30 am – 3:15 pm Competitions
Push-In Division (Boys & Girls 7 and under)
Sponsored by: RIP CURL
9:00 am Registration/Check-In @ SURF Registration booth, North of Pier
11:45 am – 3:15 pm North of Pier
3:45 pm SURF & GROMS RULE AWARDS CEREMONY (Main Stage)
End of the Pier
Sponsored by DANA WHARF SPORTFISHING – today only!
6:30 am – 12:00 pm Registration, clinic & derby
12:15 pm Judging & Prizes Awarded
*PLEASE NOTE: Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
7:00 am – 11:00 am North of Pier, near Marine Safety
(ages 12 and under)
Sponsored by CLIF KID
7:30 am – 8:45 am Registration/Check-In @ Children’s Pavilion, South of Pier
9:00 am ½ mile run for Ages 4-6
9:20 am ¾ mile run for Ages 7-9
9:40 am 1 mile run for Ages 10-12
Event Sponsor: IRVINE SUBARU
8:30am – 2:45pm Displayed on San Clemente Pier
Main Competition Area-Northside of San Clemente Pier – featuring:
8:00 am NEW! Jr. Lifeguard Beach Flags
9:00 am Event #1 Surf Race – Women
9:10 am Surf Race – Men
9:20 am NEW! Jr. Lifeguard Surf Race
10:15 am Event #2 Rescue Relay (2 person, rescue can & fins) – Open – HEAT 1
10:25 am Rescue Relay (2 person, rescue can & fins) – Open – HEAT 2
10:35 am NEW! Jr. Lifeguard Rescue Relay (2 person, rescue can & fins)
10:45 am Event #3 Surf Ski Race (Lifeguard spec) – Women
11:00 am Surf Ski Race (Lifeguard spec) – Men
11:15 am Event #4 National Doryman’s Association – NDA Race #1
12:15 pm Event #5 International Ironman (swim, ski, paddle) – Women
12:30 pm International Ironman (swim, ski, paddle) – Men
1:00 pm Event #6 Paddleboard Rescue Relay (2 person, 10’6”) – HEAT 1
1:15 pm Paddleboard Rescue Relay (2 person, 10’6”) – HEAT 2
1:30 pm Event #7 National Doryman’s Association – NDA Race #2
2:30 pm Event #8 10’6” Paddleboard Sprint – Women
2:40 pm 10’6” Paddleboard Sprint – Men
2:50 NEW! Jr. Lifeguard Paddleboard Sprint
3:30 pm Event #9 American Ironman (dory, swim, paddle)
4:00 pm American Iron Woman (run, swim, paddle)
4:30 pm San Clemente Body Surfing Club Demonstration
5:00 pm LIFEGUARD EVENTS AWARDS CEREMONY (Main Stage)
9:00 am – 6:00 pm Parque Del Mar, overlooking event
South of the Pier, next to Youth Pavilion
9:00 am – 3:00 pm Body Surfing clinics hosted by San Clemente Body Surfing Club
Tandem Bodyboarding clinics hosted by Bullyboard
All day events: Arts, Crafts and Games hosted by City of San Clemente Recreation Division.
Plus, Beech Nut & Ocean Institute booths.
8:00 am Ticket sales begin for crafts, games and face painting
8:00 am – 3:00 pm Arts & Crafts, Game Booths (hosted by SC Parks & Recreation
Division)
10:00 am Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – demonstration
11:00 am Hula Connection – performance
12:00 pm Acting Academy for Kids – performance
1:15 pm The Flow – COA performance
2:00 pm Corey Angeli – COA performance
2:30 pm Olivia Ooms and Highway 39 – COA performance
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Dinners available through Fisherman’s Restaurant on the beach
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm FREE beach concert featuring: Dead Men Don’t Surf –
Sponsored by SHECKLER FOUNDATION
(Boys & Girls 10 and under & 11-14)
Sponsored by: RIP CURL
5:30 am Registration/Check-In @ SURF Registration booth, North of Pier
6:30 am – 3:00 pm North of Pier
3:45 pm AWARDS CEREMONY (Main Stage)
6:30 am Registration & Sculpting, South of Pier
1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Judging/Viewing (depending on the tides)
2:00 pm (apx) Awards – Immediately following judging
7:00 am – 11:00 am North of Pier, near Marine Safety
Sponsored by: IRVINE SUBARU
8:30 am – 2:45 pm Displayed on the Pier
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Parque Del Mar, overlooking event & south of beach tunnel
Main Competition Area-Northside of San Clemente Pier – featuring:
8:00 am Event #10 5K Beach Run/Walk (sponsored by LIFE TIME)
9:00 am Event #11 Open Ocean Paddle Race (SUP, Prone, Ski – apx 5.5miles)
9:15 am Event #12 Biathlon (1k Swim & 5k Beach Run)
11:00 am Event #13 One Mile Ocean Swim – Race #1: Men
12:00 pm One Mile Ocean Swim – Race #2: Women
12:50 pm TANDEM BOOGIE – Heat #1 (sponsored by BULLYBOARD)
1:05 pm TANDEM BOOGIE – Heat #2 (sponsored by BULLYBOARD)
1:20 pm TANDEM BOOGIE – Heat #3 (sponsored by BULLYBOARD)
1:30 pm SCOF AWARDS CEREMONY
2:05 pm Event #14 Run – Swim – Run (200m Run, 300m Swim, 200m Run)
2:30 pm San Clemente Marine Safety Demo
2:50 pm Event #15 SUP Sprint –Women
3:00 pm SUP Sprint – Men
3:15 pm Event #16 Splash & Dash Relay (runner 100m & swimmer 300m)
3:45 pm TANDEM BOOGIE – Final (sponsored by BULLYBOARD)
4:30 pm SCOF FINAL AWARDS CEREMONY (Main Stage)
All day events: Arts, Crafts and Games hosted by City of San Clemente Recreation Division. Plus, Beech-Nut
& Ocean Institute booths.
8:00 am Ticket sales begin for crafts, games and face painting
8:00 am – 3:00 pm Arts & Crafts, Game Booths (hosted by SC Parks & Recreation
Division).
9:00 am Mermaid Parade
10:00 am Wet Dog – COA performer
11:00 am Zumba Kids – performance/participation
12:00 pm Gabby Leigh –COA performer
1:00 pm School of Rock “House Band” – music and entertainment
27th ANNUAL GREAT RUBBER DUCK RACE – 3:30 pm (approximate time)
Sponsor ducks are $5 each – GREAT PRIZES!!
*Announcement of winners following Athletic Awards and FINAL Tandem Boogie heat.
*ALL SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE