For the last two years, The Watercraft Journal has been cutting it close to the wire, managing to squeeze in notice of the annual Huntington Beach Freeride just days before it took place. Last year, we promised we wouldn’t make it three in a row.
We’ve been keeping an eye out for updates on the iconic event since the early February announcement by event promoter Ross Wallach/RPM Racing Enterprises of the change in format to a stand-alone Freeride, and yesterday, registration for the May 3-4 event opened, and good to our word, we shifted our production schedule to get the news out to WCJ readers asap, along with notice that registration will close on Sunday, April 6.
The 2-day 2025 Bellanca Homes Huntington Beach Freeride Wave Bash, touting a $5,000 Pro payout (paid 1st, 2nd & 3rd) and presented by Hot Products, Rise, 771, and Bomber Eyewear, among others, is slated for May 3 – 5 at the south side of Huntington Beach Pier and will feature 2 days of IJSBA-sanctioned freeride competition where the overall winner in the Pro, Amateur and Master class(es) will be judged from their respective ‘jam sessions’ over the 2 day event.
Note that all riders/families/crew members must check-in on Friday starting at 10:00 am until 5:00 p.m. and or on Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. but you must let the Race Director know if you can’t make it to registration on Friday.
Also, it is noted that there is vendor booth space available – contact RPM Racing at rpmracingent@yahoo.com or (310) 318-4012 for a rate sheet.
Those interested in attending are asked to register as soon as possible now that registration is open. Wallach stated, “I cannot stress how important it is to get registered as slots are limited to be a part of the epic event! This is the only freeride competition event scheduled in the country for 2025 and you if you want events like this to happen, please support this event!!”
You can read the full press release regarding the opening of registration below.
Also, below the registration press release is the Feb. 12 post – in full – that announced the shift in formatting for the annual event, moving from a Freeride & Moto Surf event as in past years, to a stand-alone Freeride. As noted by Wallach, the change was necessitated by shrinking attendance and increasing costs – and is a situation that everyone involved in the production of the event would like to see reverse itself. Wallach, earlier last week, stated, “we still have a support staff and course marshalls and same insurance (that doesn’t change) but yes, less infrastructure for the Freeride only. My hope is to bring back moto-surf racing in the future. It’s going to be up to the racers. I know there were plenty that would have shown but I am aware there were a lot that weren’t planning on it this year for whatever reason.”
Registration is Open!!
The 2025 Bellanca Homes Huntington Beach Freeride Wave Bash
Presented By: Hot Products, RISE, 771, Bomber Eyewear, RB Components, High Speed Industries, WORX Racing Components, Pelican Performance, WSM, TC Freeride, Works H20Designs, LG1 Designs, Kawasaki, Watercraft Journal, Pro Rider Magazine, IJSBA
May 3 & 4, 2025 – Huntington Beach Pier (southside)
The Bellanca Homes Freeride Wave Bash Presented by Hot Products, Rise, 771 Bomber Eyewear is slated for May 3 & 4, 2025 at the Huntington Beach Pier (south side)! This much anticipated event will feature 2 days of IJSBA sanctioned freeride competition.
VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ!!!!! Below is the important information you will need for this event:
This is a 2 day event (please see competition schedule posted on this event page) . The overall winner in the Pro, Amateur and Master class(es) will be judged from their respective ‘jam sessions’ over the 2 day event. (Note: this format is what has been used for Freeride competition events throughout the world).
Your entry fee covers participation in the event & IJSBA single event membership. Parking fee is based on spaces used onsite per the City and will be paid separately at the time of onsite registration on Friday, May 2nd.
Classes are limited to: 25 Pro, 15 Amateur, 10 Masters *Note: Based on total entries received, additional slots may become available.
Registration: Registration is now open and will close on Sunday April 6th. To be considered registered for this event the registration form/payment (link below) must be completed no later than Sunday, April 6th.
Please click this link https://form.jotform.com/250626964401153
to get registered.
Questions regarding registration, please contact Dawn: dawn.rpmracing@gmail.com
Please register for this historic event at your earliest convenience. Registration will close on Sunday, April 6th!
$5,000 Pro payout – Paid 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd & 3rd in all classes Sunday after the final winner is crowned.
Parking: The City of Huntington Beach has granted access to the lot off Huntington Street & Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) for this event (same pit parking lot as we used in previous Moto-surf events). This lot will accommodate all race teams, enclosed trailers & motorhomes (dry camping only, no hook ups). All parking is 1st come, 1st serve. Pits open on Friday at 8:00 am. per the City of Huntington Beach, not Wednesday or Thursday. Race teams, pit crews, etc. will pay for parking based on how many spaces used per the City of Huntington Beach.
Host Hotel: There is no host hotel for the event. Please google/search local hotels, Airbnb or VRBO for best deals.
Beach Access: There will be beach access from the parking lot. The use of UTV’s are allowed to move equipment (Ski, tools, fuel jug) from the parking lot to the pit area and back however we ask that you work together with other teams. However, once your ski(s) are in the pit area no UTV traffic will be allowed during the event per the City of Huntington Beach.
UTV motorized vehicles are allowed on the beach, only at prescribed times (before the event & after the event daily). However all participants must use hand cart (totes, etc.) in and out of the ocean during the event. Please do not park or set up your pit where you might block access to the beach. All vehicles must display the proper parking pass (to be received at registration during initial on-site check-in on Friday).
To park additional vehicles in the main lot above in the pits (see PIT PARKING above) you will be charged a parking fee of at check in. No minors or anyone without a valid drivers license may operate a utv, side by side, rzr, etc. on the beach. Only licensed drivers may operate motorized equipment to get from parking lot pits to beach pits per the City of Huntington Beach.
Absolutely no recreational trips on the beach. Participants/crews will be strictly monitored by HB Lifeguards as to beach traffic to and from the pits.
Dogs: Per the City of Huntington Beach, no dogs are allowed on the beach. Dogs are allowed in the pits however must be leashed at all times. No exceptions.
Beach Pit Area: The “Pit Area” will be the area to the South of the pier above the water line. All race teams will be allowed to bring a “pop up” style tent onto the beach to indicated their pit stall. Tents longer than 10 x 10 will be set up perpendicular to the water to maximize pit space.
Fuel: Per the HB FD, a maximum of one (1) – 5 gallon jug/participant will be permitted in the pit area on the beach. The fuel must be stowed on a tarp or drip tray/pan, not directly on the sand. Also, a tarp or drip pan/tray must be under the ski at all times while in the beach pits. All pits must have their own fire extinguisher with current tag. Please plan on bringing diapers, “zuck up” or some type of absorbent material to use when fueling.
Smoking & Alcohol: There is NO smoking or alcohol in the pits. Violation will result in immediate dq and exit of race site.
Fire Extinguisher: All racers must have currently certified (2025) fire extinguisher for your pit area!!! We will be checking as part of your safety inspection upon arrival to the pits. Please make sure the certification tag is up to date.
Rider Check In: ALL riders/families/crew members must check-in on Friday starting at 10:00 am until 5:00 p.m. and or on Saturday morning at 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. but you must let the Race Director know if you can’t make it to registration on Friday. Participants and crew/family members must check-in, sign the waivers and receive your credentials on the Friday registration period. Please do not wait until registration is closing to either get registered or clear registration.
BBQ: Charcoal bbq’s are strictly forbidden in the pit area. Propane bbq’s are allowed but must have a fire extinguisher next to the bbq. You can charcoal bbq at the fire rings on Huntington Beach.
Glass bottles: Glass bottles are strictly forbidden in the pit area/beach area per the City of Huntington Beach. Please bring plenty of solo style cups and use them.
Security: There will be onsite security in both pit areas overnight.
Note: The schedule may change prior to the event. Please check http://www.rpmracingent.com/ or the facebook event page for all updates and information.
Vendor Booths: There is vendor booth space on Pier Plaza. 10 x 10 and 10 x 20 spots. If you are interested in getting in front up to 20,000 people over the 2 day event this is a great way to showcase/sell your product(s).
Please contact RPM Racing for a rate sheet. rpmracingent@yahoo.com or call (310) 318-4012.
If you would like to get involved with this event as a advertiser/sponsor, please contact RPM Racing at rpmracingent@yahoo.com or call (310) 318-4012 for a advertiser/sponsor proposal.
For all other event related questions, please call or email Ross – rpmracingent@yahoo.com or (310) 318-4012.
A final note: I cannot stress how important it is to get registered as slots are limited to be a part of the epic event! This is the only freeride competition event scheduled in the country for 2025 and you if you want events like this to happen, please support this event!!
Official Statement (Feb. 12)
RPM Racing Enterprises is announcing a change to the 6th Annual Huntington Beach Moto-Surf and Freeride, scheduled for May 3 & 4, 2025. After receiving information a few months ago, from several sources that I deem credible, that attendance at this year’s event, will again, be trending down and contemplating what to do to the rectify the situation it became apparent that regardless, the costs to produce this event will continue to increase.
I had been approached, for the past several years, to produce a standalone freeride event and after much discussion with the City for a 2nd event date it was clear the City was unable to accommodate this request so I was faced with the dilemma. As costs to produce continue to skyrocket and sponsorship for the event continues to dwindle this coupled with projected lower attendance the choice was to continue passing along the increases to the racers, which I knew was not going to be well received, or work with the Freeride group to get the necessary sponsorship to defray the costs to produce an event or give up the event in it’s entirety.
Please know I did not want to cancel the event in its entirety. The Freeride group went out and solicited sponsorship from within its community and so in the end I made the difficult choice to change the format for 2025 from a Moto-Surf & Freeride Exhibition to a standalone Freeride event. Please know I am committed to bringing back a Moto-Surf event in the future but for 2025 the event will transition to a Freeride only event.
The Best of the West Series event will change its date to September 12, 13 & 14 at San Diego Bayfair at Mission Bay in San Diego. This event will be in conjunction with Bayfair which regularly sees attendance number of over 20,000 spectators. This is the biggest watersports racing event on the West Coast. The event has great accommodations for the racers and Bayfair is genuinely excited to have PWC closed course racing back as part of their event. This event is part of the Best of the West – Lake Havasu Watercross Series Championship. RPM wishes to thank Ally & Nick Giles for helping facilitate the addition to Bayfair.
In closing, I know some will be upset by this change to the schedule and for that I deeply apologize but I do believe that Bayfair will be a great venue to race at and showcase our sport in front of the largest amount of spectators.
If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to email or call me to discuss (310) 318-4012 – rpmracingent@yahoo.com
