Kayak, Canoe Race to Benefit Youths

The annual Hal Rosoff Classic, a long-distance race for single-person canoes and kayaks, will be Feb. 15 in Newport Beach’s Back Bay.

The 8-K race is open to any human-powered, single-person craft and offers the unusual opportunity for novices to compete against international and Olympic boaters who use the Newport Aquatic Center as winter training grounds, race organizers said.

The race is officially sanctioned by the United States Canoe and Kayak Team, making it one of a few such events nationwide. The race was started in 1990 and named for local philanthropist Hal Rosoff, who died last year.

An entry fee of $15 is required. Proceeds will benefit the Aquatic Center’s youth programs.

Information: (714) 646-7725.