2nd Annual Iron Mike Paddle

The 2nd Annual Iron Mike Paddle was held Sept. 20 at Fletcher Cove in Solana Beach. The event included an all ages, five-mile paddleboard race, a kids 1-mile paddle board race, Grom O’ Rama kids’ surf contest, a surfboard swap, live music, art and a taco truck.

The event, which is co-sponsored by the City of Solana Beach, included new artists who transformed donated Firewire surfboards into art and then auctioned them. Created in 2013, the Iron Mike Paddle was inspired by the Solana Beach Lifeguard Association to honor Mike McKay, a fellow guard who passed away before his time.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the Mike McKay Memorial Foundation, which awards various youth scholarships every year.

Photos by Jon Clark.