Thomas Wins Catalina-to-MB Race

At dawn, they rose to tackle the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race. Eighty-two strong gathered at the Isthmus of Catalina Island, bonded by the daunting task of crossing 32 miles of open ocean on a piece of fiberglass using nothing more than their own power to make the trek.  

In the end there could be only one winner, and as Redondo Beach orthopedist Brad Thomas crossed the finish line on the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier on Sunday, he etched his place in the race’s history books. 

Thomas’ time of 5:22:17 bested second-place winner Brian Rocheleau of Hawaii by a full four minutes, while also shaving close to 12 minutes off 2010 winner Adam Buckley’s finishing time. 

After not competing in last year's race due to a broken foot, Thomas entered this year’s race as one of the favorites after strong showings in other paddle contests, most notably Hawaii’s famed Molokai-to-Oahu Paddleboard Race. On Sunday, Thomas withstood challenges from some of the world’s best, including paddlers from France, Australia, the East Coast and Pacific Northwest.

Australian paddleboard legend Mick Porra, competing in his first Catalina Classic, took third, despite beating Thomas by 14 minutes in the Molokai race. On his home turf, Thomas was not to be denied. 

“This is my area,” said Thomas of the South Bay waters he frequents in training. “I hit the R10 (which marks 10 miles from the finish) and I paddle that all the time and I was in the lead, so I just hammered it the best I could.” 

Thomas paddled the rest of the way in the prone position (lying flat) after suffering severe leg cramps and being unable to return to paddling from his knees. 

Thomas, 43, who led from the outset of the race, said he kept his focus on the finish line and little else.

“I just went out in front and my tactic was simply not to look back to see who was behind me,” he said. “And I was lucky enough to make it.” 

As for adding his name to a list of distinguished paddlers that extends all the way back to the race’s inception in 1955, Thomas had no trouble describing his joy in true waterman style.

“I’m stoked,” said Thomas with a grin. “This was a big goal of mine and I kind of kept it quiet, but this was something I really wanted.”

For the first time since 1960, the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament and the Classic were held on the same weekend, giving an added boost of spectatorship for the ultramarathon paddlers. 

Also for the first time in history, an honorary relay team of 12 members paddled in the race to raise money for the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation Wounded Warriors Ocean Therapy Program.

The team was made up of several JMMF volunteers along with two wounded Marines who traded paddling shifts to cover the 32 watery miles. 

Former Marine and Wounded Warrior Krystal Flanigan said she had a very memorable experience as a part of the relay team. Flanigan went on to tell of the the incredible role the JMMF’s Ocean Therapy program has played during her road to recovery. 

“Honestly, it’s one of the best foundations out there,” said Flanigan.

“They saved me. I lived in hospitals and doctors' appointments and I’ve had over 30 surgeries, and if it wasn’t for them, I would be trapped in a world where I don’t want to be in. I’m so thankful that they’re here. They showed me how to live again.”

The healing power of the ocean is something Flanigan, originally of Illinois, has now seen firsthand, thanks to the foundation’s efforts. 

“Whenever I get out there, it’s like everything weighing on me, my doctors, my appointments, surgeries, medications, everything that I’ve been through, it’s gone," said Flanigan. "It’s just me, that water, the board. It changes you."