The public is invited to participate in the 15th annual Kayak for Kids, a fundraiser for the Queen Louise Home for Children, on June 8.
Participants can either bring their own kayak or call Lutheran Social Services before June 4 to reserve a kayak and life vest at no cost. Participants also can use a stand-up paddle board, which can be rented from Freedom City Surf Shop in Frederiksted.
The registration fee is $50 and payments can be made at the starting point beach before the kayaking begins, according to organizers. Payments can also be made in advance via check payment to the Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands at 516 Hospital Street, Frederiksted, VI 00840; online at http://lssvi.org/support/donations; or at Villa Morales Restaurant in Campo Rico.
The kayakers can follow one of two courses to accommodate kayakers of all experience levels.
The longer course, for the more experienced kayakers, starts at 11 a.m. at Cane Bay Beach and includes two legs. The first leg is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from Cane Bay Beach to Hams Bay Beach. After a one-hour break at Hams Bay Beach, the second leg takes participants on a one and a half-hour trip from Hams Bay Beach to Fort Frederik Beach and concludes with a complementary picnic party at 2:30 p.m.
The shorter course begins at Hams Bay Beach at 1 p.m. and concludes at Fort Frederik Beach with the picnic party at 2:30 p.m.
All participants are required to wear life vests and will be provided with a complementary safety whistle. The St. Croix Auxiliary Coast Guard will patrol the seas to help ensure kayakers and paddle-boarders are safe and stay on course.
Lutheran Social Services welcomes volunteers with powerboats or powered-dinghies to come out to Cane Bay Beach at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the event to assist in patrolling for added safety. All event volunteers can join the picnic party at Fort Frederik Beach.
The picnic party will be hosted by J.T. Torres and Angie Morales of Villa Morales, who are credited with organizing and spearheading the Kayak for Kids event. Torres and fellow LSSVI supporter, Luther Edwards, were among the earliest kayakers to commit to the event, which started more than 15 years ago with the purpose of raising funds for the children at the Queen Louise Home.
The event has become a summertime mainstay for all kayak and SUP enthusiasts. Last year, the event drew 89 participants.
More information about volunteering or participating is available by calling Lutheran Social Services at 1-340-772-4099 ext. 24 or sending email to info@lssvi.org.
Lutheran Social Services of the V.I. is the largest private social service agency in the territory, with five housing complexes for low income seniors and adults with disabilities; a safe haven for neglected, abused and severely disabled children; and two 24-hour residential care facilities for adults with disabilities unable to live independently.
Early Head Start, AmeriCorps, and P.I.N.N.A.C.L.E. are also programs of LSSVI.
