Southport Magazine

What: Ride the Tide Kayak Float and Race
When: Saturday, April 13th • 12 p.m.
Where: Oak Island Parks & Rec. Center
3003 E. Oak Island Dr.
Cost: $20/advance, $25/day of
Info: 278-5518
www.theadventurekayakcompany.net
www.oakislandnc.com/recreation

Have you ever wished you could escape the hassle of everyday life and just float away with the tide, ending up on some far-off tropical island, piña colada in hand? Well, each spring a pack of kayakers head downstream in the Davis Canal, and though they won’t reach a deserted island, they do have a chance at winning the Ride the Tide Kayak Float and Race.

Four years ago, Rebecca Squires, the Recreation Athletics Supervisor for the Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department, and Emma Thomas, owner of The Adventure Kayak Company, sat down at the drawing board. They wondered, “What could we offer together as a community kayak event?”

“We started brainstorming about an event that would start at the Recreation Center and, using the tide to ‘go with the flow,’ end up at Blue Water Point Marina,” Thomas divulges. “‘Ride the Tide’ became our focus for planning such an event.”

On Saturday, April 13th, the fourth annual kayak race will get underway. Participants will meet at the marina (5710 57th Pl. W.) before 11 a.m., at which time shuttles will take folks back to the Recreation Center to start. Participants will need to park at the marina, as there will be no shuttle return to the Recreation Center after the race.

“The really neat feature of the event is that we plan to work with the outgoing tide as the participants paddle down Davis Canal and Montgomery Slough to Blue Water Point Marina,” Thomas explains. “It is a salt marsh creek with lots of possible wildlife sightings. There is very little motorboat traffic and it is somewhat protected by the wild in the upper parts of Davis Canal.”

Those who don’t own kayaks, never fear. The Adventure Kayak Company will be renting singles for $25 and doubles for $40—which includes the kayak, paddle(s) and life jacket(s). Rented vessels will be dropped off at the Recreation Center prior to the event start and will be picked up at the marina at the end of the race. “We ask folks interested in renting a kayak to give us a call at 454-0607 to make a reservation,” Thomas suggests. Rentals will be available until noon on Friday, April 12th—unless they run out early.

The race will begin at 12:30 p.m. All kayaks and canoes (yes, canoes are allowed, but all other vessels are prohibited) must be in the water by 12:15 p.m.

The course is 5.2 miles, and the trip difficulty is labeled as easy. The race will be broken into divisions by age group from 12 to 17 (must be an experienced paddler and accompanied by a guardian), 18 to 50, and 51 and older. This will be further broken into sections of single kayakers and double kayakers, including pedal kayaks. Those wishing to do so may float the course—literally riding the tide—and not race. The float will begin at 12 p.m. to allow space between floaters and racers.

“Participants not wanting to sign up for the kayak race can participate in the poker run,” Thomas details. “As they paddle, they will stop at five marked docks to receive a playing card. At the end of the event, we collect the cards, and the best hand wins a prize!” Volunteers will be needed to help with the poker run. They’ll be stationed along the way on docks to pass out cards as folks paddle by. Call 278-5518 to volunteer.

Door prizes will be offered by The Adventure Kayak Company. Medals with the official Ride the Tide logo will be awarded to all winners. Last year’s single kayak 18-50 winner was Doyle Loflin. He also won the 2011 race. Will he keep his title?

“We are asking participants to pre-register for the event, with an early registration fee of $20,” Thomas urges. On the day of the event, the fee will be $25. Registration forms are available at the Recreation Center and at The Adventure Kayak Company (807 N. Howe St., Southport). The first 75 to register will receive a Ride the Tide T-shirt.

Finally, an environmentally themed costume contest also will take place during Ride the Tide. “Last year’s winner was dressed as a wood duck,” Thomas quips. “Great costume, and it was fun to see him paddle his kayak as one of our local water fowl.”

For reference, no alcoholic beverages will be allowed, and no pets will be permitted in vessels. All participants must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket during the event. For a full list of rules and requirements, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 278-5518.