SEBASTIAN – By the River, a senior community in Sebastian, was anything but stranded up the river Saturday as dozens of paddlers competed in a number of races on the St. Sebastian River along Dale Wimbrow Park as part of the Up the River with a Paddle, a benefit for the non-profit.
“It’s way better than I anticipated,” said event coordinator Kristen Beck, who helped keep the various races under control.
Up the River with a Paddle was the brainchild of By the River’s director of charitable gifts, Joe Coakley. He said two days after he had looked at kayaking magazine, he woke from a sound sleep at 4 a.m. with the idea for the competitive races.
“I just thought nothing like this has been done,” Coakley said – at least, not in Indian River County.
“It’s a beautiful day,” said Durga Das Hutner, By the River’s CEO. “And a beautiful way to help our seniors.”
Before the races Saturday, participant Robin Pace made a test run, paddling the course.
“I think the wind is going to make it a bit of a challenge,” Pace said. “It’s a beautiful river. It’s nice and flat.”
Pace entered in the Stand Up Paddleboard division – a first for her.
She reported seeing a longer-than-12-foot alligator in the river on Thursday, during her trial run.
Beck said she’s seen all sort of creatures in and along the river – including a 16-foot gator, dolphins and manatees, river otters and a wide variety of fish.
Michael and Lisa Natale signed up for different races – he the single kayak, she the elephant race.
The elephant race consists of a group of six paddlers sitting in a massive canoe paddling through a course. The team that completes the course fastest wins.
Keeping time for the races included Eva Chapman, a volunteer from RBC Bank.
Chapman said no practicing was really needed.
“We just write (the time) down,” she said. “We’ve got our act together.”
Marge Erixon traveled from Malabar to Dale Wimbrow Park to participate in the Up the River event, noting she heard about it during the Sebastian Clambake Festival.
Her husband had signed up to participate and she decided to do the same, she said.
“I like being one with the boat,” Erixon said.
By the River is a non-profit organization that provides care to Indian River County’s aging population, particularly those living in poverty. Currently, there are 41 residents at By the River, located off Roseland Road in Sebastian.
Chief Financial Officer Patti Rooney said the funds raised through the event would go to help meet the residents’ needs. By the River has programs every day for its residents, including yoga, breathing, and fine arts to help enrich their lives.
“If we could raise $10,000, we would be over the moon happy,” Rooney said.
How much By the River was able to raise during Saturday’s event was not immediately calculated.
Kevin Kelley, a recreational paddler, said he spends a fair amount of time out on the water of the St. Sebastian River.
“I’m in pretty good shape,” he said, adding that he was going to tackle the 3-mile course and expected to be done in about 45 minutes.
During the paddlers’ meeting prior to the start of the races, Kristen Beck had the participants go through a series of stretches and talked them through the course.
“Definitely race, but take time to enjoy the scenery,” she said, using a bullhorn to be heard. She then pointed out a few areas where flowers grow close to the water and paddlers could take a moment to smell them.
“If it’s a race to the finish, give it all you’ve got,” she said. “Make it look good.”
