Wrightsville Beach, NC, October 19, 2006 – Hurricane Kayaks out of Warsaw, NC pledged their support to the 2006 Wrightsville Beach Sea Kayak Race this week by donating a kayak to be given away in the after-event raffle. The race will take place on November 4th across the street from the Blockade Runner Hotel on Wrightsville Beach. The race will start at 9am and the raffle, which is open to the public, will follow the race at approximately 12pm. All proceeds from the event will benefit the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust - a local non-profit organization that works to preserve our coastal environment.
“Eastern North Carolina is a popular place to kayak because of the variety of beautiful places available for exploration from inland black-water creeks to coastal marshlands,” noted Brad Taylor, sales manager for Hurricane Kayaks. “Preserving these places is important to Hurricane Kayaks, and that’s why we decided to donate a kayak for the raffle,” he continued. The premiere raffle prize is a Hurricane Santee 116 Sport – an 11 ½ foot recreational kayak made out of a lightweight plastic. The kayak retails for $899 and can be viewed at http://www.hurricaneaquasports.com/santee-116-sport.html.
George Bland of Great Outdoor Provision’s Wilmington Store stated, “Hurricane Kayaks blew us away with their generous offer. Having a kayak in the raffle should help sell raffle tickets and increase the amount of money we can raise for the Coastal Land Trust.” Colin Eagles of Salt Marsh Kayak added, “Last year we generated over $4000 for the Land Trust, and hope to generate even more this year. We already have over $4000 in prizes, and vendor sponsors are continuing to donate product.” Raffle tickets are $10 per or $40 for five and can be purchased at both Salt Marsh Kayak on Wrightsville Beach and at Great Outdoor Provision’s Wilmington store. Attendance at the raffle is not required to win.
“The race and raffle support a cause that many can appreciate,” noted Nancy Preston of the NC Coastal Land Trust. “Preservation of special places along the coast is important to all who care about the outdoors, but it comes at a high price.” Since 1992, the NC Coastal Land Trust has helped preserve over 35,000 acres of barrier island beaches, riparian corridors and other special natural areas. “Every little bit helps,” Preston stated, “and we really appreciate what these two companies and their many vendor sponsors are doing to help us generate funds.”
For those who would like to race, entry forms are available at Salt Marsh Kayak Company on Wrightsville Beach and at all nine of Great Outdoor Provision Company’s North Carolina locations. In addition, entry forms can be downloaded at their websites. Three separate divisions comprise the race; a 3-mile fun loop, 6-mile main event, and 500-meter sprint for kid’s 12 and under. Families, novices, serious racers, volunteers and onlookers are all encouraged to come take part in the festivities. Raffle tickets will be on sale during the event and all racers and volunteers will receive one free ticket.
Raffle Donations (over $4000 in prizes)
• Hurricane Aquasports Santee 116 Sport $899
• Framed Original Painting by local artist Nancy Noel May $340
• Werner Paddle complements of Liquid Logic Kayaks $200
• Aquabound Stingray carbon shaft paddle $185
• Patagonia M & W’s Rainshadow Jacket & Pants $150 and $80 per
• Patagonia M & W’s R3 Purist Jacket $130 per
• Two sets of Yakima Hullraiser Aeros $125 per
• Paddleboy Original Kayak Kart $120
• Three gift certificates for Chaco Sandals $50-100 per
• Ex Officio Air Strip Shirt $79
• 2 Immersion Research Gear Bags $50-75 per
• Three Timex watches $75 per
•Thule T-Shirt, Coffee Mugs, Tie-Down Straps, & water bottles $65
• Bending Branches Kayak Kickstand $50
• Free kayak tour from The Adventure Company in Southport $45
• Six 2-hr single kayak rentals from Salt Marsh Kayak Company $38 per
• Patagonia M & W’s Capilene Tops and Bottoms $38 per
• Two Camelbak Un-bottles $35 per
• Seals cockpit cover $26
• 20 Lotus Designs long-sleeved embroidered shirts $20 per
• 5 pair of Ex Officio quick dry briefs $18 per
