For Immediate Release: Watermans Paddle for Humanity Brings a Message of Community and Responsibility to DC Paddlers
Race Partner Ocean Minded Spear Heads Coastal Cleanup
Washington D.C. – By Monday morning over 150 paddlers had registered for the Washington leg of the fivestop Watermans Paddle for Humanity (PFH) series and the number was growing. The event is set to be one of the largest ever held on the East Coast. For event organizers and sponsors these numbers represent an opportunity to bring environmental awareness and a sense of community responsibility to local paddlers.
The Potomac watershed flows into the Chesapeake Bay and is home toover 5 million people. The river is usually equated with pollution and a near total lack of public access, but Washington has always had a close relationship with paddling – the Washington Canoe Club is the oldest in the Nation – and with such an active population that relationship is poised to grow dramatically. A fact that doesn’t escape event director Pete Stirling: “Eventually these events are going to start seeing numbers on par with cycling and running, when that barrier is broken it won’t be in California or Hawaii, it will be somewhere like Washington D.C.” Event pre-registration proves that a growing number of local residents are taking to the water, but they still face many obstacles, including a law prohibiting water access and pollution. The Paddle for Humanity hopes to show that access and clean waterways is in the best interest of everyone.
Event sponsor Ocean Minded has long played a roll in bringing a level of environmental consciousness to the watersports community. The brand has been in business since 1996 with the message of environmental awareness not only in what they make and how they make it, but also with respect to the oceans, rivers and lakes that tie watersports enthusiasts together. “Quality and Authenticity are two brand tenets strongly engaged in our product and brand messaging, but equally important are Community and Responsibility,” says Ocean Minded’s Marketing Manager Trevor Wessman-Lavelle. Ocean Minded and the local DC Surfrider Foundation Chapter will be conducting a shoreline cleanup starting at 10:45AM at the event location, Washington Harbour. The goal: to pass on the message that every paddler can do something about a global problem on a local level.
National attention is not uncommon for Washington, but the waters of the Potomac have always been a local issue, until now. The Paddle for Humanity was recently awarded recognition as the WPA region 6 National qualifier, making Washington and the local area a relevant destination for the region’s paddlers. More paddlers on the Potomac means more attention to the waterway and bringing the community together is what the August 25th event is all about.
For more information including dates, locations and registration visit www.paddleforhumanity.org.
The 2012 Waterman’s Paddle for Humanity will consist of five stops: April 28th in Dana Point, June 2 Deerfield Beach Florida, July 7th Lake Tahoe, August 25th Washington DC and Sept 15th Austin Texas. Our stated goal is to raise $100,000 for our non-profit partners while raising awareness to their causes and introducing communities to the sports of Paddling.
Support the companies that support the sports you love: Kona Brewing Company, Ocean Minded, Futures Fins, SUP ATX/Lahui Kai Racing, Hobie Polarized, H2O Overdrive and Watermans Applied Science (Don’t forget to LIKE our sponsors on Facebook.)
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About the Paddle for Humanity:
The Watermans Applied Science Paddle for Humanity has raised more than $50,000USD for charity since its inception in 2009 and helped galvanize paddling communities across the country. The PFH is open to all paddle craft.
For more info visit www.paddleforhumanity.org.
About the Chuck Patterson:
Chuck Patterson is an inspiring person. He is 6’2” and weighs 220 pounds. He competes at the pro level in five different sports: stand up paddling, tow-in surfing, kite surfing, skiing and snowboarding. For more info visit chuckpattersonsports.com
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For Immediate Release: Watermans Paddle for Humanity Brings a Message of Community and Responsibility to DC Paddlers
Race Partner Ocean Minded Spear Heads Coastal Cleanup
Washington D.C. – By Monday morning over 150 paddlers had registered for the Washington leg of the fivestop Watermans Paddle for Humanity (PFH) series and the number was growing. The event is set to be one of the largest ever held on the East Coast. For event organizers and sponsors these numbers represent an opportunity to bring environmental awareness and a sense of community responsibility to local paddlers.
The Potomac watershed flows into the Chesapeake Bay and is home toover 5 million people. The river is usually equated with pollution and a near total lack of public access, but Washington has always had a close relationship with paddling – the Washington Canoe Club is the oldest in the Nation – and with such an active population that relationship is poised to grow dramatically. A fact that doesn’t escape event director Pete Stirling: “Eventually these events are going to start seeing numbers on par with cycling and running, when that barrier is broken it won’t be in California or Hawaii, it will be somewhere like Washington D.C.” Event pre-registration proves that a growing number of local residents are taking to the water, but they still face many obstacles, including a law prohibiting water access and pollution. The Paddle for Humanity hopes to show that access and clean waterways is in the best interest of everyone.
National attention is not uncommon for Washington, but the waters of the Potomac have always been a local issue, until now. The Paddle for Humanity was recently awarded recognition as the WPA region 6 National qualifier, making Washington and the local area a relevant destination for the region’s paddlers. More paddlers on the Potomac means more attention to the waterway and bringing the community together is what the August 25th event is all about.
For more information including dates, locations and registration visit www.paddleforhumanity.org.
The 2012 Waterman’s Paddle for Humanity will consist of five stops: April 28th in Dana Point, June 2 Deerfield Beach Florida, July 7th Lake Tahoe, August 25th Washington DC and Sept 15th Austin Texas. Our stated goal is to raise $100,000 for our non-profit partners while raising awareness to their causes and introducing communities to the sports of Paddling.
Support the companies that support the sports you love: Kona Brewing Company, Ocean Minded, Futures Fins, SUP ATX/Lahui Kai Racing, Hobie Polarized, H2O Overdrive and Watermans Applied Science (Don’t forget to LIKE our sponsors on Facebook.)
___
About the Paddle for Humanity:
The Watermans Applied Science Paddle for Humanity has raised more than $50,000USD for charity since its inception in 2009 and helped galvanize paddling communities across the country. The PFH is open to all paddle craft.
For more info visit www.paddleforhumanity.org.
About the Chuck Patterson:
Chuck Patterson is an inspiring person. He is 6’2” and weighs 220 pounds. He competes at the pro level in five different sports: stand up paddling, tow-in surfing, kite surfing, skiing and snowboarding. For more info visit chuckpattersonsports.com