BEN DID GO 11.0

Ben Did Go 11.0 - Fundraising Paddle

Avalon, Catalina Island to Newport Beach Pier 

The Annual Ben Did Go 11.0 returns on Saturday, September 19, 2026 — a 30-mile prone paddle from Avalon on Catalina Island to the Newport Beach pier honoring the legacy of Lifeguard Ben Carlson.

Founded in 2015 by Spencer Pirdy, this annual endurance event brings together watermen and waterwomen from around the world to push their limits while raising funds for the Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation (BCMSF). In its 11th year, the Foundation aims to raise more than $500,000 to support local, national, and international lifeguarding and drowning prevention initiatives, and provides scholarships for student-athletes.

Paddle Requirements

Participation in Ben Did Go 11.0 requires both fundraising and paddle qualifications.

Fundraising Qualification

Each paddler must raise a minimum of $2,000 to participate.
This is a mandatory requirement for all athletes. To start your fundraising journey, you can register yourself as a paddler here. Click Register Now and follow the prompts to get a fundraising page set up. 

All paddlers must complete:

  • 3 approved qualifying paddles

  • Minimum distance of 15 miles per paddle

  • Maintain a minimum pace of 4 mph

The qualifying pace reflects the average pace maintained during the 30-mile channel crossing.

Approved qualifying events and paddler meetups will be communicated by the BDG Paddle Committee. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Stay in the Water Rule

Continuing on from the BDG 10.0 the event will enforce a strict:

“Stay in the Water or Stay in the Boat” Rule

If a paddler enters a support boat for any reason during the crossing, they must remain in the boat for the remainder of the event.

This paddle honors Ben Carlson’s grit, resilience, and commitment to doing hard things. The qualification process is designed to ensure every paddler is prepared to complete the crossing while staying in the water and maintaining pace.

2026 Qualifying Paddles

  • Saturday, June 20

  • Wednesday, July 1

  • Saturday, July 11

  • Saturday, July 25

  • Wednesday, August 5

  • Saturday, August 15

  • Wednesday, September 2

Upon completion of each qualifying paddle, participants will receive a QR code to verify and submit their qualification results.

Other ways to qualify*:

Numerous sanctioned prone paddleboard races will count towards qualification. You can find more information on the website about these qualifying events.

For people that live outside of the area that want to qualify, please reach out to members of the Ben Did Go paddle committee to learn about the requirements for remote qualification. 

Join the Paddle and the Cause

This is not a race — it’s a test of endurance, community, and purpose that will leave a lasting impact on the participants and those served by the Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation..

Complete the form here to begin the qualification process and stay informed on upcoming paddles, fundraising, and event updates.