12th Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races
On Saturday, June 12, 2010 the 12th Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races will take place on Tybee Island. The event will benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.
Tybee Island is the northernmost Georgia barrier island, 16 miles east of Savannah. Little Tybee Island is south of Tybee, separated by Tybee River. The races will take place around these areas.
There will be 3 races with staggered start times. The Tybee River Race starts at 8:30 a.m., follows a 6 1/2 mile course on the tidal river separating Tybee and Little Tybee Islands and is for those interested in testing their speed and endurance.
The Little Tybee Challenge which starts at 8:45 a.m. follows an 8 mile course and is for those who want to challenge a full range of sea kayaking skills. This race will circumnavigate part of LIttle Tybee Island, passing through narrow tidal creeks, broad tidal rivers, open coastal areas, and two surf zones.
The Race Across the River is our final race, starting at approximately 11:15 a.m. following the conclusion of the first two races) andis held to give our major sponsors an opportunity to compete for a grand prize. Each of these sponsors will select one person employed by the business or part of the group to race a kayak across the Back River and back to the marina. The winner’s prize for the business is a 2-hour natural history trip for ten-plus people on Mike Neal’s boat, the IslandExplorer, or a kayak adventure for up to 8 with Moon River Kayak Tours.
To sign up: Participants will meet at A-J’s Dockside, 1315 Chatham Ave., Tybee Island GA between 7:15-8:00 a.m. to sign up for the first 2 races. Little Tybee Challenge racers should have rough water experience and be competent at self rescue. Your boat must be sea worthy in rough conditions. All boats need proper flotation. Deck lines are highly recommended.
If you have questions, please contact the Science Center at 912.786.5917 or Debbie at 912.844.7817. The fee for each race is $45 per person (ACA members – $40). Subtract $10 if postmarked by June 2nd. Each participant will receive a T-shirt and a chance to win in the raffle at the awards ceremony which will follow the Race Across the River.
