2010 Miami Kayak Challenge & an Intro To ASM's Watersports Concession

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Had a great turnout, something like 85 boats and for a good cause!



http://cff.org/


Adventure Sports Miami (ASM) joined with the folks at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (http://www.cff.org/) and the staff at Miami Children's Hospital to present the 2010 Miami Kayak Challenge. The Miami Kayak Challenge is a dynamic community wide event bringing together individuals from all over South Florida to raise awareness and funds for cystic fibrosis ( CF) research. The Challenge involved two races, one 12 miles up to Rickenbacker Causeway and back for the Competitive Class and another for the Recreational Class traveling 6 miles up and back from the Dinner Key area. I believe this charity race has been run for the last ten years! Both races started from Matheson Hammock. ASM has setup a diverse watersports concession at Matheson stablizing kiting access, supporting quality instruction, SUP and kayak rentals and more. So, while we checkout the race we can have a look at ASM's setup there.




Click image for full sized photo
Some of the watersports facilities here, there are also a kiting rescue craft and nice boat for sea tax kite trips to Stiltsville too.
http://adventuresportsmiami.com/



"The courses are set: 12-mile Long Course (Competititve) and the 6-mile Short Course (Recreational) will start from the Beach at Matheson Hammock Park and head North towards the majestic downtown Miami Skyline. The Long Course turns around at the 1st bridge just east of the mainland on the Rickenbacker Causeway leading to Key Biscayne. The Short Course turns around at Dinner Key in Coconut Grove. The Paddleboard Course, also 6 miles, will take a challenging zig-zag route just north of the beach launch close enough for spectators to observe the athletics of the participants."



We arrived late from Palm Beach County so I had to rush grabbing some photos before the race started. Many of these photos were taken after the race, so apologies for some of the sequencing.




Yoga on SUP boards has really taken off at Matheson. Here are two women getting into it or maybe they are part of law enforcement? Hope those hands aren't loaded.




Excellent balance and form, sure makes it look easy. I trust it is not!




We were supposed to have a head wind gusting close to 20 kts. Fortunately, it was slow in arriving. Carlos, Instructor with ASM tries some kiting in the early lighter winds.








There goes Richard




Garry Menk, Jimmy Lewis board distributer lends a capable hand in running the race.








Yoga off Brickell




There was even a champion windsurfer offer an intro to windsurfing. Colette Guadagnino, former world champion windsurfer has joined on as manager of the Coconut Grove ASM store.




Kent and Paula enjoying time with a good friends children.








Still at it








Juan Pablo armed for bear (actually paddlers) with some nice shooting gear.








ASM's trailer with wall to wall water gear.




Mary paddles out



Paula practice yak-paddle martial arts, looking good!












Twelve miles is a long way to paddle!








I heard this was offered as first prize in the Challenge?












Some interesting carrying mods












The award ceremony




Kent, Paula and Juan Pablo at the awards.



You can find race times and placements at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...58961724136029




They did an excellent job of collecting donations for the raffle!








Josh readies for sea




ASM instructor checking out clients on SUP gear








The flip side of this fine German engineered yak-moblie.




Click image for full sized photo
A nice thing about Matheson is you can bring your SO or family, they can setup shop in the lagoon while you rip off the parking lot. Everyone's happy.






I have a video to put together on the race but for now see you from the 2010 Miami Kayak Challenge and the ASM Watersports Concession at Matheson Hammock in Miami, FL, USA.


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