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Santa Monica Pier was, apparently, the capital of competitive paddleboarding in the 1940s, according to the organizers of Saturday's Santa Monica Pier Paddleboard Race and Ocean Festival. 
In the 1950s and 60s surf culture became more popular at local beaches, due in part to the 1957 book, "Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas,” inspired by Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman's hijinks at Malbu Point and written by her father, Frederick Kohner. Gidget herself will be a guest of honor at the kickoff of Saturday's event, which benefits Heal the Bay. Race categories include traditional paddleboard, stand up paddle, life guard dory and outrigger canoe races. There will also be veterans of the former paddleboard era.
Top photo from the start of last year's paddleboard race. Left from 1938, courtesy Stephanie McLean
Previously on LA Observed:
Letters from Leo Carrillo
Malibu loves Gidget
Back to Malibu Point with the real Gidget