Water Warriors stop in RC for food and fuel

The Water Warriors made a fueling stop at Rogers City and Presque Isle last week on their way to St. Clair Shores. The event is the 15th annual to raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan. Local riders Rick Dulac and Elmer Schleben were among the riders in the event and both are veterans of the ride. The annual five-day trek started Monday and is scheduled to end Friday. Schleben said riders navigated some choppy waters Monday, but they hoped for better weather the rest of the way. Although winds were relatively calm near the shore, higher waves in deeper water made for a rough ride, he said. The group made better time than scheduled on the first morning of travel, arriving close to 10:30 a.m. at the Rogers City harbor instead of the announced 11 a.m. arrival. The 35 riders and support staff were back on their watercraft and heading south to Presque Isle Harbor shortly after 11 a.m.

WATER WARRIORS is an organization that operates as a branch of Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI). The Water Warriors participate in a five-day, 400-mile endurance ride on personal watercrafts starting at Mackinaw City, riding the entire length of Lake Huron, the St. Clair River, across Lake St. Clair to St. Clair Shores and culminating at Harsens Island, to raise money for the athletes of Special Olympics Michigan. The Water Warriors Personal Watercraft Endurance Ride began in 1991, an idea of a member of the Wertz Warrior Snowmobile Endurance Ride, who believed the obstacles of Michigan’s vast waterways and weather conditions could be conquered. Each day has pre-planned fuel stops, rest stops, evening activities and overnight accommodations. A fuel and food stop in Rogers City found several Special Olympians and their families there to greet the riders. The warriors made another fuel and food stop at Presque Isle before spending the night at Alpena.

The Water Warriors are responsible for paying their own expenses on the trip. There are three categories of volunteers: The riders, land support, and water support. A RIDER COMMITS to raising a minimum donation of $1,800 and riding his/her machine from Mackinaw City to Harsens Island. The $1,800 can be generated in many ways. Some riders solicit funds through their business associates, others have pig roasts, spaghetti dinners, golf tournaments, bingo’s, cookouts, and other ideas.

The water support personnel are in boats with two to six riders assigned to each boat, responsible for the safety of their riders. The land support crew follows along

on land assisting the riders at each fuel stop, docking, and transporting luggage and equipment. The Special Olympics program was founded in 1968 by the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. At this time there are approximately 12,400 athletes who participate in Special Olympics Michigan. As a non-profit organization, Special Olympics Michigan relies upon the generous contributions of time, material, and money from individuals, organizations, and businesses. Without their support, the program would not exist.

WITH THE help of the riders, sponsors and volunteers, the Water Warriors have a goal this year to try to raise more money than last year?s record of approximately $100,000 for the Special Olympics Michigan athletes. For more information about the Water Warriors, or on how to get involved as a volunteer or supporter, visit www.waterwarriors.org or call the ride coordinator at 586-598-5100.