The 22nd annual, 5-day, 350-mile Water Warriors Mackinaw Ride kicks off in Mackinaw City on Monday, July 23, 2011 at 7 a.m. The Water Warriors ride personal watercraft the entire length of Lake Huron and the St. Clair River before ending July 27 at Brown's Waterfront Bar on Harsens Island at noon.

The endurance ride raises money for Special Olympics Michigan athletes. There are food, fuel and overnight stops in many communities along the way. The Water Warriors will also provide short, fun rides to Special Olympics Michigan athletes on Sunday, July 22 at 5 p.m. in the harbor area in Mackinaw City and on Wednesday, July 25 at 5 p.m. near the park in Port Austin.

Courtesy rides are available on lead boats to accommodate members of the media to capture the spirit of the ride, meet athletes and share the fundraising experience. Please contact Kimberly Purdy at (989) 954-5112 to arrange a media ride.

The Water Warriors are a dedicated group of men and women from a variety of backgrounds, who dedicate a week away from work and other obligations, to raise money and awareness for children and adults in Michigan with intellectual disabilities who benefit from Special Olympics Michigan programs. The group of 60 members is made up of about 25 riders along with water and land support crew members. The riders follow three lead boats for safety.

Six of the Water Warriors have a child who competes in Special Olympics Michigan. The other riders and land support crew members participate out of their love of the water, and a desire to give back.

Riders can face extreme temperatures, and battle high waves and rough water. They do it all for athletes. Since the Water Warriors started in 1991, they have raised more than $2 million for Special Olympics Michigan athletes.

ENTRY FEE: Donation amount riders are required to raise annually.
• $1,500 Ride 5 days (1 PWC - 1 rider)
• $2,000 1 PWC - multiple riders - up to 5 riders.
• $ 300 1 Day ride (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday)
• $ 200 1 Day ride (Friday only)
• $ 500 Port Austin Tour = Thursday & Friday
• $ 100 One leg (from one fuel stop to the next fuel stop)
• Participants can also choose to raise money and ride on a support boat


SUNDAY ~ JULY 22, 2012
5:00 p.m. - Athlete rides on the PWC's (in the harbor) from the launch area
6:00 p.m. - Mackinaw City Harbor - Water Warriors meeting, group photo & blessing of the fleet
6:45 p.m. - American Legion Hall (across from the Harbor) dinner donated by American Legion Ladies Auxiliary

MONDAY ~ JULY 23, 2012
6:45 a.m. - Mackinaw City Harbor, meeting (depart at 7:00 a.m.) 16 miles
8:00 a.m. - Cheboygan (fuel stop) (depart: 8:30 a.m.) 43 miles
11:00 a.m. - Rogers City (fuel & lunch stop) food donated by Lighthouse Restaurant) [depart: 12:30 pm] 22 miles
1:30 p.m. - Presque Isle (fuel) [depart: 2:00 pm] 33 miles
3:30 p.m. - ALPENA HARBOR (fuel, oil and food stop) pizza at Harbor donated by Hungry Howie's
5:00 p.m. - Dinner at Alpena Eagles (fundraiser)

TUESDAY ~ JULY 24, 2012
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast at the Best Western
8:45 a.m. - Alpena Harbor - meeting [depart: 9:00 am] 32 miles
10:00 a.m. - Harrisville (fuel stop) [depart: 11:00 am] 31 miles
12:30 p.m. - Tawas Bay - parade escorted by the Coast Guard
1:00 p.m. - Tawas State Harbor (fuel at dock, oil at launch) 2 miles
2:00 p.m. - TAWAS - Tawas Bay Marina - lunch donated by the Tawas Eagles Club
6:00 p.m. - Dinner: Steak-out fundraiser in front of the Bay Inn/Crows Nest

WEDNESDAY ~ JULY 25, 2012
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast at the Bay Inn
9:15 a.m. - Tawas Bay Marina - meeting [depart: 9:30 am] 20 miles
11:00 a.m. - Caseville - lunch donated by the Caseville Kiwanas [depart: 1:00 pm] 15 miles
1:45 p.m. - PORT AUSTIN HARBOR (fuel & oil)
4:30 p.m. - Port Austin Park - meet athletes, basketball, bocce ball, etc.
5:00 p.m. - Port Austin Park - dinner with athletes, personal watercraft rides at the launch afterward

THURSDAY ~ JULY 26, 2012
7:45 a.m. - Port Austin Harbor - meeting [depart: 8:00 am] 30 miles
9:30 a.m. - Harbor Beach (fuel) breakfast sandwiches ($5) [depart: 10:45 am] 45 miles
Noon - Lexington (fuel) lunch donated by Buffalo Wild Wings & Achatz Catering & group photo) [depart: 1:30] 21 miles
2:30 p.m. - Black River - Port Huron (fuel at entrance to the Black River, oil at launch) parade up Black River-7 miles
4:00 p.m. - PORT HURON - Bridge Harbor Marina
6:00 p.m. - Pig Roast fundraiser (Bridge Harbor Marina)
8:00 p.m. - Office Lounge fundraiser

FRIDAY ~ JULY 27, 2012
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast at the Hampton Inn
9:45 a.m. - Bridge Harbor Marina - Meeting [depart at 10:00 am] St. Clair County Sheriff escort 44 miles
11:30 a.m. - Stop in river at Marine City - businesses present checks & ice cream compliments of The Sweet Tooth!
Noon - HARSENS ISLAND - Arrive at Brown's on the Middle Channel
12:30 p.m. - Lunch & Celebration at Brown's

** All times are subject to change. Inclement weather and wave conditions may make arrival times later and arrivals could be earlier if water conditions produce smooth sailing.

 

If you want more information about becoming a Water Warrior please contact:

Coordinator Wendy May
(810) 499-9508
P.O. Box 234
Anchorville, MI 48004
Waterwarriors.mackinawride@gmail.com

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Business Sponsorship 

Tru-Tech Systems, Inc  - Gold
James Industries - Gold
Perch Point Conservation Club - Silver
Knights of Columbus - Silver
Fifth Third Bank - Bronze
The Wayne & Joan Webber Foundation - Bronze
Waste Management - Bronze
Leonard Wranosky & Sons Carpentry - Bronze

Supporters

Changing Places Moving
Semco Energy
Knights of Columbus #7227
St. Clair Shores Women of the Moose #69
Brenner Electric
Rancilio & Associates
Schwanitz, Hayden & Assoc.
Sweet Tooth