Santa Barbara beaches host ocean races throughout the summer.  The most popular locations for competitions are at Leadbetter Beach (foreground) to the west of the SB harbor and at East Beach in front of the Cabrillo Bathhouse to the east of the harbor.  Elite Open Water Camp athletes will participate in 4 of these events against local athletes including top flight triathletes, former NCAA All-American swimmers, UCSB swimmers, and Olympians.

All Santa Barbara ocean races are cleared through the SB lifeguard department and are monitored for safety by fully-trained ocean lifeguards.  Lifeguard supervision on the beach and in the water is required for any ocean activity.

Wednesday evenings in the summer is the traditional "Nite Moves" race.  Hundreds of swimmers sprint from a beach entry into a 4 buoy race.  Wetsuit and non-wetsuit athletes compete together in a mass start.  Race host site: runsantabarbara.com

Typically held on Thursday in the summer "Reef and Run" will be held on Friday July 5th this summer as a special occasion.  Another hotly contested ocean race (with 4 turns) and favorite among locals, the race takes place in front of the historic Santa Barbara bathhouse. Race host site: reefandrun.org

Semana Nautica, going into it's 76th year as a great local tradition, hosts the 1 mile (4 turns) and 3 mile (6 turns) ocean race on the same weekend this summer.  The overall winner of the 3 mile race will have their name and time engraved on a trophy in the SB Bathhouse trophy case.  Race host site: semananautica.com