Semana Nautica 2023 returns with many of Santa Barbara’s favorite sporting events

For the first time since before the pandemic, the Semana Nautica Summer Sports Festival will bring a full schedule of events to Santa Barbara starting June 24th.

Among events returning this year after a multi-year absence are an Ocean Water Polo Exhibition at Stearns Wharf, the Crazy Cardboard Kayak Race at West Beach, and a Sea Shells Regatta in the harbor mouth.

Those events join several of Semana Nautica’s Santa Barbara athletic traditions, including the 85th Santa Barbara Tennis Open, the 4th of July 5K Trail Run, the SBSC Age-Group Swim Meet at Los Baños Pool, and the ocean-swimming races.

But that’s not it. Don’t forget the CBVA men’s and women’s beach volleyball tournaments, beach-running races, and lifeguard competitions.

This year’s festival is scheduled to run from Saturday, June 24 through Sunday, July 9.

Registration requirements vary for athletes so please check with the individual events to register.

For those not competing, one of the great things about Semana Nautica is that all events are free for fans and spectators.

Another is the history.

Semana Nautica is a Santa Barbara tradition that originated in 1933 when locals organized friendly athletic competitions with United States Navy sailors from a visiting ship. The pandemic postponements were the first years since World War 2 that Semana Nautica wasn’t held during Santa Barbara’s summer.

This year will be the 84th Semana Nautica.