Sea Kayak Races at Tybee Island

Annual Tybee Island Sea Kayak Races

To benefit the Tybee Island Marine Science Center

The first two races will have staggered start times.  The Tybee River Race (start 8:30 a.m.) follows a 6 1/2 mile course on the tidal river separating Tybee and Little Tybee Islands and is for those interested in testing their speed and endurance.  The Little Tybee Challenge (starts at 9:00 a.m.), approx. 8 miles, is for those who want to challenge a full range of sea kayaking skills.  This race will circumnavigate part of Little Tybee Island through narrow tidal creeks, tidal rivers, beachfront open ocean, and two surf zones.

For the 2nd year we will host the Race Across the River to give our major business sponsors an opportunity to race and win a prize.  Each of these sponsors will select one person (employed by the business) to race a kayak across Back River and back to the Marina.  This race will occur at approx. 11:00-11:30 a.m. following the conclusion of the first 2 races.  The winner's prize for the business is a 1/2 day, 10 person kayak trip with the added bonus of public TV's Coastal Naturalist, Cathy Sakas, as one of the guides.

                    Sign up now!  RACE!!  Have fun!!!  For a good Cause!!!

Participants will meet at A-J's Dockside, 1315 Chatham Ave.  Tybee Island.  Sign-in for the first two races will be 7:30 -- 8:00 a.m., followed by a brief orientation.  Little Tybee Challenge racers should have a competent brace and roll or other self-rescue technique.  In each race there will be 5 sea kayak classes, and an open sit-on-top class.  All boats need proper flotation.

For accommodations, ask Sea Kayak Georgia's Outdoor Inn, Tybee Visitors Center at 912-786-5444, or check out www.tybeeisland.com   Campers can call Rivers End campground at 912-786-5518 or Skidaway Island State Park.

The fee for each race is $40 per person (ACA members - $35).  Subtract $10 if postmarked by May 1, 2006.  Each participant will receive a t-shirt and a chance to win in the raffle at the awards ceremony which will follow the Race Across the River.

To register for the race, please complete the race form and mail it with your entry fee to Sea Kayak Race c/o Sea Kayak Georgia, 1102 Hwy 80, Tybee Island, Ga. 31328.  Make checks payable to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center.  This is an American Canoe Assoc. sanctioned event.

For more info:  Call Sea Kayak Ga. 912-786-8732 or seakayakga@aol.com  click on Events.

Note:  The races or fun to check your endurance and personal skills, winning is not necessary.  If you do not race, come sit on the nice dock and enjoy lunch at AJ's restaurant.