Traditionally, the very first designs for Tom Blake's spar-fabricated hollow paddleboards were constructed at lengths varying for 11' to 14'.

In 1932, Tom Blake, Pete Peterson, and Wally Burton made the first crossing of Catalina Channel on 14-foot Blake paddleboards. Though not originally conceived as a race, it was treated in the media of the day as such and acted as the catalyst for a series of exciting cross-channel races and relays.

As a result. during the 1930s, a variety of shapers made paddleboards based on Blake's fundamental designs, the plans of which had been published in a popular magazine.

This led to class-designated paddleboard racing rules being selectively introduced on the West Coast and in Hawaii.

During the 1940s, "Stock Class" was accepted by both general accord and in the American Red Cross's lifesaving equipment guidelines as the 14/40 rule; 14 feet in length, 40lbs. minimum weight.

This protocol formalized the basic rules for lifeguard rescue boards used in competition, and was later adopted by Bob Hogan in 1955 as the Stock-class rule for the first post-war international long-distance race, the "Catalina International Paddleboard Race".

In 1961, Crag Lockwood had been training on a Joe Quigg 14-foot SC loaned to him by Larry Capune, but his Reserve unit was called up for duty and he couldn't participate, The race ended its 6-year tenure with a cancellation. Twenty-one years would pass before another ultra long-distance race would be held.

In the late 1970s, the 14/40 rule was arbitrarily changed to accommodate the fact that L.A. County Lifeguards were then using paddleboards limited to 11'6". As one of the largest, and without question the most influential lifeguard departments in the United States, they had established the United States Lifesaving Association's competition guidelines.

On the East Coast and in Hawaii, however, local tradition still favored the older rule and 12-foot length, an budgetary restrictions meant that resistance to change was strong. In order to compete, departments would have to divest themselves in inventories of longer boards.

Traditionally, the very first designs for Tom Blake's spar-fabricated hollow paddleboards were constructed at lengths varying for 11' to 14'.

In 1932, Tom Blake, Pete Peterson, and Wally Burton made the first crossing of Catalina Channel on 14-foot Blake paddleboards. Though not originally conceived as a race, it was treated in the media of the day as such and acted as the catalyst for a series of exciting cross-channel races and relays.

As a result. during the 1930s, a variety of shapers made paddleboards based on Blake's fundamental designs, the plans of which had been published in a popular magazine.

This led to class-designated paddleboard racing rules being selectively introduced on the West Coast and in Hawaii.

During the 1940s, "Stock Class" was accepted by both general accord and in the American Red Cross's lifesaving equipment guidelines as the 14/40 rule; 14 feet in length, 40lbs. minimum weight.

This protocol formalized the basic rules for lifeguard rescue boards used in competition, and was later adopted by Bob Hogan in 1955 as the Stock-class rule for the first post-war international long-distance race, the "Catalina International Paddleboard Race".

In 1961, Crag Lockwood had been training on a Joe Quigg 14-foot SC loaned to him by Larry Capune, but his Reserve unit was called up for duty and he couldn't participate, The race ended its 6-year tenure with a cancellation. Twenty-one years would pass before another ultra long-distance race would be held.

In the late 1970s, the 14/40 rule was arbitrarily changed to accommodate the fact that L.A. County Lifeguards were then using paddleboards limited to 11'6". As one of the largest, and without question the most influential lifeguard departments in the United States, they had established the United States Lifesaving Association's competition guidelines.

On the East Coast and in Hawaii, however, local tradition still favored the older rule and 12-foot length, an budgetary restrictions meant that resistance to change was strong. In order to compete, departments would have to divest themselves in inventories of longer boards.

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