Bird Island Challenge

[pat]

<i>This was just emailed to me - thought I'd pass it on.</i>


3rd ANNUAL BIRD ISLAND KAYAK CHALLENGE GEARING UP


WAREHAM, MA (June 24, 2005) - Kayak enthusiasts will join internationally-known environmentalist Richard Wheeler of Wareham on Sunday, August 14, 2005 in a 12-mile kayak challenge from the Narrows in downtown Wareham around Bird Island and back. There is also a 6-mile route and a 2-mile Route. All proceeds benefit financial assistance for youth members at the new Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham.

The race has drawn larger numbers of participants each year. Registration and breakfast begin at 6:30 AM. A mandatory captain's meeting will follow at 7:00 AM, led by race director Richard Wheeler. The race itself will begin at 8:00 AM from the pier at Besse Park, near the Nantucket Lightship. All participants are required to have previous ocean kayaking experience. The longest course circles Bird Island in Marion and all three courses end at Besse Park. Safety boats will be stationed along the way, coordinated by Luke Lomeland, supervisor of traffic at the Cape Cod Canal. He is assisted by Harbormasters from Wareham and Marion and their staffs.

Participants are asked to register with a minimum of $100 in pledges to benefit the Gleason Family YMCA. A kayak, courtesy of Billington Sea Kayaks in Plymouth, will be awarded to the participant who raises the most pledges over $500. Three other great prizes will also be awarded to top pledge-raises in all three course categories. All racers will be given a complimentary race package, including a T-shirt featuring an original Bird Island design, lanyard and safety whistle, visor and other items. Each racer will receive a complimentary breakfast and two complimentary lunch tickets. All participants will also receive the coveted "Guilded Clam" medal at the awards ceremony following lunch around 12 PM.

The raffle for a brand new Necky Kayak as Grand Prize and array of fabulous prizes, including a 1-year family membership to YMCA Southcoast, is now underway. Raffle tickets are $5 each and may be purchased from the Gleason Family YMCA lobby at 33 Charge Pond Road in Wareham (508-295-9622), the Wareham Free Public Library or at Besse Park on the day of the race. The kayak, sponsored by Go Bananas, is now on display in the Gleason Family YMCA lobby.

Modeled after the Annual Blackburn Challenge in Gloucester, the goal of this third annual Bird Island Challenge is to celebrate and support the new YMCA in Wareham, a division of Southcoast YMCA. The new YMCA opened in August of 2004 and has been busy since its first day, benefiting youth, families and adults throughout the Southcoast area.

To register or for more information, contact the YMCA at 508-295-9622 or email JoAnn Watson jwatson@ymcasouthcoast.org. Registration forms and pledge sheets may also be downloaded from the YMCA Southcoast website at www.ymcasouthcoast.org.

Jo-Ann Watson
Marketing and Development
Wareham YMCA
33 Charge Pond Road
Wareham, MA 02571
508 295 9622 ext. 15
jwatson@ymcasouthcoast.org

[getnoutside]

Fun paddle. But you have to be into waves

http://www.get-outside.com/buzzbay.htm