Kayak Run Raises Money for Community Chest

The results are in: The Town of North Hempstead/Community Chest of Port Washington Kayak Run on Saturday raised more than $2,000, with 73 kayaks in Manhasset Bay, a third of them tandem.

And while organizers were pleased about supporting the Community Chest, they seemed even happier about encouraging people to enjoy Manhasset Bay. "Kayaking is the best sport," said Joel Ziev, who ran the event. "It's relatively cheap. And it's an extraordinary bay."

In addition to the town and the Community Chest, the event was sponsored by Atlantic Outfitters and the Port Washington Kayak Club. The run included 14 checkpoints monitored by volunteers. And the bay constables patrolled the area to maintain safety.

Town Councilman Fred Pollack checked in the participants, noting that the event drew people from Brooklyn to Huntington, from ages five to close to 80.

Town Dock was busy with people out fishing, or simply enjoying a morning on the water. "We kayak at least twice a month," said Marianne Reardon, a Port Washington resident, who sat on a Town Dock bench while her husband Kevin kayaked with his daughters, Caitlyn, age four, and Makayla, eight. The event was a chance for father-daughter time, Reardon said. "It's a little tradition they started."

"I've always loved kayaking," said Port resident Sandy Jo Hyman. "It's for a great cause, and a great way to spend the morning with my 16-year old son."

The event also provided opportunity for kayakers to share news. There was talk of a Twin Pines Kayak Club meeting on August 17 at 7:30 p.m at the first floor conference room of the Community Chest building at 352 Main Street. Pollack will serve as guest speaker, addressing the proposed Town of North Hempstead Blueways Trail and hearing community input. 

"This would be the first on Long Island and a tremendous resource for all kayak and canoe enthusiasts," noted Alan Bergman, who participated in the run with his wife Cindy.   

And there was buzz about hosting a kayak race, though Ziev said details were still in the planning stages.

Saturday's kayak run started at 9 a.m., and by 10:08, the first kayaker, Kelly Cummings, a Port Washington police officer, arrived at the dock. "This is going to be tough on my lower back," she said with a laugh.

The organizers held a raffle drawing after the event, and kayakers who passed all 14 checkpoints qualified. Peggiann Nuccio won the top prize, a kayak donated by Atlantic Outfitters.