2018 World T.E.A.M. Annual Review 2018 World T.E.A.M. Annual Review | Page 23

Propelling a sea kayak takes
coordination and cooperation. One
athlete paddles, while the other pedals
with their feet, as if riding a bike. The
paddles have blades on either side, and
so forward progress is determined by
paddling both sides equally. Together,
the athletes battle changing wind and
currents, along with an occasional wake
from a passing vessel.
At World T.E.A.M.’s Coastal Team
Challenge, adaptive and able-bodied
athletes joined together for a journey
along the southern coast of New York’s
Long Island. At 12 feet in length, the
kayaks seem small in comparison to
the vast Atlantic Ocean stretching to
the horizon. With motorized safety craft
following alongside the teams for any
unexpected emergency, the athletes
must be in good physical shape to
make progress.
Challenge partner Independent Group
Home Living Program, a New York non-
profit that provides programs, services,
and support for individuals with
intellectual disabilities, identifies and
selects the adaptive athletes from an
expanding pool of candidates. Although
a majority of these athletes are young
TEAM > INDIVIDUAL
adults, older athletes are occasionally
selected for the challenging sea
journey in two days. Many have never
participated in water sports in the past. the beach, a campfire with music and
entertainment, and a restful overnight
camp provided a memorable conclusion
to the day.
Long Island’s TimeCapital Investor
Advisory Services and American
Portfolios Financial Services partner
in the Challenge with World T.E.A.M,
working together to invite and
encourage able-bodied athletes to
serve as coaches for their companion
athletes, as well as help with the
paddling and navigation duties. Many of
these athletes are alumni from the non-
profit’s other sporting programs such as
Face of America Gettysburg. The following morning, calm, sunny
weather provided a welcome change
in water conditions. Boarding the
kayaks, teams paddled for several
hours, covering about eight nautical
miles, to safely reach the East Moriches
finish. On shore, the athletes joined
program staff and volunteers, family
members, and colleagues for a festive
ending dinner and celebration of
their accomplishment. In an ending
ceremony, each participant was
presented a medal for their athletic
achievement. Their efforts in working
together as supportive teams was
inspirational for all participants.
For the August 2018 edition of the
Challenge, 32 athletes met in the warm
morning sun at the Patchogue Beach
Club in Patchogue, New York for an
opening breakfast. Following the meal,
athletes and volunteers headed for
the nearby beach, where kayaks were
unpacked and waiting on the sand for
departure. Unfortunately, intermittent
poor weather and brisk, variable winds
created a long delay. By afternoon,
teams were transported by ground
to the overnight camp at Smith Point
County Park. A satisfying dinner on
Financial support of the Challenge
was provided by TimeCapital Investor
Advisory Services and American
Portfolios Financial Services. Each
company also enlisted enthusiastic
volunteers, who manage the many
components of the program and are
critical for its success.
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