San Juan ORCA Challenge ~ Pre-Registration Only ~

San Juan ORCA Challenge

Fundraising Kayak Race

May 16th, 2009

**Pre-Registration Only

-thru May 15th**

Anacortes, WA

4 & 25 mile races

~ 100% proceeds raised go directly to the Orca Network ! ~

~REGISTER NOW!~

at:

http://www.orcanetwork.org/

~ Registration Payment Options ~

Mail a $50 check to:

Orca Network

2403 North Bluff Rd.

Greenbank, WA 98253

OR

Pay with credit card online at:

http://www.orcanetwork.org/news/orcachallengeform.html

~ Day of Race Schedule ~

Location: SeaFarer's Memorial Park ~ next to Cap Sante Marina ~

• Inside the SeaFarer's Memorial Park building is where the check-in, mandatory pre-race meetings, awards ceremony and raffle prize giveaway will all occur. Racers can also seek shelter from the sun/rain, use the restrooms, and grab a refreshment here...
  
  8am- Check-in begins for both races
• 9am- Long course - Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting
  10am- Long Course - Start
• 10:15- Short course - Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting
  11am- Short course - Start
• ** 5pm- Last boat encouraged to be off the long course**
• 6pm- Award Ceremony & Raffle Prize Giveaway Drawing! (*earlier if possible if majority of competitors have finished:)

~Safety ~

• For both races, PFD's w/whistle Must Be Worn. USCA insured. All competitors must sign a liability release waiver.
• Required self rescue equipment- sea kayaks- bilge pump & paddle float, surfskis- ankle lease.
• Optional additional safety equipment- paddle leash, flare, VHF radio. (Highly recommended for all Long Course participants)
• Pre-Race Safety inspections of each boat are required by the USCA, therefore if you do not have all of the necessary self-rescue equipment on your boat &/or body, you will not be cleared to race.

~ Anacortes Waterfront Festival ~

As one of the exciting 'water' events in the annual 2 day, maritime extravaganza , the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce maritime Waterfront Festival, the festival will provide the San Juan ORCA Challenge Kayak racers with reciprical entertainment- as paddlers will be finishing between docks- along the Cap Sante Marina Waterfront- smack dab in the middle of the Festival!!

The Anacortes Waterfront Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year to this usually quiet, vacation destination, island town... more information about the Waterfront Festival schedule of events, vendors, driving directions, lodging, etc, can be found at: http://www.anacortes.org/waterfrontfestival2009.cfm

Plus the Whale', an Anacortes AM radio station, will be broadcasting from the Waterfront Festival -LIVE- race updates- ON AIR at 1340AM and ONLINE at http://www.klki.com/

~ Orca Network ~

"Connecting whales and people in the Pacific Northwest."

• Orca Network is "dedicated to raising awareness about the whales of the Pacific Northwest, and the importance of providing them healthy and safe habitats

• Projects include the Whale Sighting Network and Education Programs, the Free Lolita Campaign,and the Central Puget Sound Marine Mammal Stranding Network."
  

~ Sponsors ~

The 2009 San Juan ORCA Challenge would especially like to extend our biggest thanks for all of the support & awesome raffle prize giveaway swag donated by our many friends at Johnson Outdoors, Necky, Sport Townsend, MTI, Northwater, Paddling.net, Opulence Hair Salon,

Non-Profit Support provided through donated educational materials & more giveaway goodies by even more kind people at Sea Shepherd, Orca Network , Leave No Trace & People for Puget Sound...

~ Boat Classes & Awards ~

The 1st-3rd place finishers in each category will receive a Unique ORCA Challenge Award. (AND rumor has it that an exceptionally artistic award is being created & donated for the 1st place overall finisher(s) in the Long Course)

**While we are not an official Sound Rowers race, we will so gratefully be using the boat class system established bythis Seattle Rowing club...(ie- ORCA Challenge Award winners- possible categories = M, W, Mx, Dbl ~ SK, FSK, HPK, OC-1, OC-2, SUP)