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Franklin Challenge 2017 in Support of Treetops Community Forest
The First Annual Franklin Challenge was a wet, windy and stormy success with 80 paddlers taking on the coast of Franklin Island this past Sunday. Not even the stormy weather could dampen the paddlers’ or volunteers’ spirits!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-NUYfNhY_Q
Photography and Video by Meg Wallace Photography
“Thank you all for a fun event! As always, marked by very friendly, welcoming and competent organizers, volunteers and staff. We found the marshaling and guidance on the water just what we needed and the snacks were great!! We would have stopped for more cookies along the way had we been better dressed, haha! There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. 🙂 We intend to repeat this next year, knowing that, now we have proven our metal and you have had a memorable inaugural day, you will be sure to provide much better weather in the years to come! Congratulations on a successful day, I hope you have a well earned hot drink and a rest.” ~ Kim W
The youngest paddler was Jada Jean Utas – 4 years old, with her mom Stacy!
Nine year old Sam Mason of Nobel was the youngest paddler to complete the circumnavigation (20km) in a solo kayak – a remarkable feat, and most likely a record, as nobody knows of anyone younger who as accomplished that.
Over $19,000 was raised for Treetops Community Forest, thanks to remarkable generosity from the entire community! The Challenge organizers want to thank all the sponsors, volunteers and particularly Gilly’s of Snug Harbour for hosting this event. Carling Marine Rescue, Canadian Coast Guard and the OPP Marine Unit were all in attendance to patrol the waters and keep everyone safe. It was truly a community-wide effort – on and off the water!
That’s all she wrote folks, so get out and hike, paddle, bike – or just smell the roses – winter will be here soon enough and we have a fine summer ahead of us!