Water sports fanatics and kayakers paddled out on the blue waters of Cane Bay beach Sunday morning to take part in the annual Kayak for Kids fundraiser.
The 14th annual Kayak for Kids raises money for the Queen Louise Home for Children. The kayakers or volunteers either raise or donate at least $50 or more to support the program.
Event coordinator Julio “JT” Torres said the event becomes bigger and better every year.
“The event helps with the funds needed at Queen Louise Home for Children,” Torres said.
He said each kayaker raised his or her own individual cash donations. The goal is that together they will raise $20,000.
Although the minimum donation urged is $50, Susan Kraeger, director of public relations and development at Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands, said the participants donated more money.
“One of the kayakers donated a $1,000 check and we are truly grateful for it,” Kraeger said.
After participants registered, the safety rules were provided by Richard Layton while reggae classics and old school hip hop played in the background.
The music then stopped as Junia Straker, chief executive officer at LSSVI, made open remarks about the event, thanking all the participants for their support,” Straker said.
The 90 kayakers then charged down to the rocky waters with their kayaks. The kayakers in the long-course headed northwest where they met up with the short-course participants at Hams Bay. Afterwards, the set of kayakers traveled two miles to Fort Frederik beach, where the event ended.
Jimmy Warren, a kayaking rookie, said he hopes he makes it through the dreaded route.
“It is always a good idea to support non-profit organizations,” Warren said.
He said Torres was also one of the main reasons he took part in the event.
Steve Kuntz, a Minnesota native, said “the weather is nice and the event is just right.”
“This is my sixth year participating in the event and I love the idea of Virgin Islanders supporting a good cause,” Kuntz added.
He said last year the event got close to $25,000, adding he hoped this year’s kayakers and volunteers could beat last year’s earnings.
Kuntz said a few of the kayakers got ready for the event by training on the west side of the island.
The fundraiser ended with a barbeque made possible by Villa Morales at Fort Frederick beach. The children from Queen Louise Home were there.
Sponsors for the event included The Beach Side Café, Off the Wall, Rustico, West End Chiropractic, Target Tire, Re-Max, Villa Morales and Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands.
