Kayaking For A Cause

Over 250 kayakers from all over the world, including some Westporters, crossed the Long Island Sound on Saturday, paddling from Huntington, N.Y., to Norwalk on behalf of local charities.

It was a first-class  event where hundreds  of spectators cheered the 10th anual Kayak for a Cause participants on to reach their fundraising goals to make a difference for five worthy charities in the community:  Save the Sound, The Maritime Aquarium, Outward Bound, Builders Beyond Borders, and Canine Companions.

The event was followed by a beach party at Calf Pasture Beach complete with Lobsterbake & Music from Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Allman Brothers Band guitar legend, Dickey Betts & Great Southern.

Audrey Yu paddling for the Hawsepipers Team, raised over $2,000.  The pediatric physical therapist from Norwalk said, "Hawsepipers is a nautical term meaning learning from experience, not by formal training, so that's me," she laughed.   "It was incredible.  Our team raised over $10,000 and today we tried to set a world record for the largest on-water trash cleanup too.'"

Laura McMillan of Save the Sound said it's incredible to see so the 100 volunteers who turned out for the event.  Three of the organization's board members are from Westport, including Julie Belaga, Ted Sullivan, and Kim Lake.'

The first kayak to finish crossing was helmed by last year's winner, Michael Taylor, a lawyer from Leesburg, Va., in 2 hours, 27 minutes.  "I started about 13 minutes behind the first group.  This is my fourth year to be first to cross.  I start training when the Potomac gets warm enough to paddle in."

Lisa Lima finished second.  She lives and trains in Bermuda, and raised more than $1,000.