Guiding two-person Hobie Mirage Oasis kayaks through Long Island’ s sometimes challenging coastal sea lane, the athletes were teamed with 16 able-bodied coaches. The design of these kayaks allows for athletes to either paddle by hand or pedal by foot. Making land fall for rest stops and meals, and camping overnight on the beach at Smith Point, this was the first water sports event for many of these adaptive athletes.
“ Paddling for two days across the Great South Bay, tackling on whatever challenges encountered, and working through them together as a team, we were able to complete this two-day event,” said George Taborsky, a Challenge co-director. A regular Face of America rider and a volunteer at events such as Adventure Team Challenge New York, Taborsky, who is quadriplegic, helped direct the event by kayak with co-director Alex Rohman during the coastal journey.
Sponsored by TimeCapital Investor Advisory Services and American Portfolios Financial Services, Challenge athletes include civilians of all ages and backgrounds. Off the coast, the adaptive and able-bodied athletes experienced rising and lowering tides, fast-moving summer rain showers and wakes from passing boats
and large ocean-going ships headed to and from New York’ s busy harbor.
Arriving at East Moriches on the afternoon of August 3, the athletes were met by friends, family and colleagues. Together, they celebrated their remarkable achievement with a gala dinner and post-event party at the Water’ s Edge restaurant.
“ All were excited, and that’ s what events like these are all about!” said Therese Martin, Independent Group Home Living’ s Recreation Coordinator. She reported that many athletes told her afterward they greatly enjoyed the Challenge and excitedly looked forward to future events.
9WORLD T. E. A. M. SPORTS ANNUAL REVIEW EXPEDITION