Media Relations and Contacts
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PDF for Printing
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February 2010
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EIGHT TO COMPETE IN EPIC BOAT RACE AROUND FLORIDA
A 1,200-mile, round-the-clock paddle and sailing challenge – in 30 days or less
Eight intrepid mariners will compete in a month-long small boat adventure race called
the Ultimate Florida Challenge. The race is scheduled to start at 7 a.m. on March
6 near the entrance to Tampa Bay.
The course is a 1,200-mile counter-clockwise circumnavigation of Florida in 30 days
or less. It is open to boats propelled by human and/or wind power only. No tows,
no rides.
The setup is similar to Alaska’s Iditarod, except instead of dog sleds this race
is among canoes, kayaks, and sailboats.
“I designed the Ultimate Florida Challenge to be the toughest adventure/endurance
race for small boats anywhere in the world,” said Steve Isaac, founder and “Chief”
of the WaterTribe, which sponsors the Florida Challenge. Isaac, a former US Marine,
is one of the eight boaters competing in the 2010 Florida Challenge.
“I’ve wanted to compete in this race for years, and I’m not getting any younger,”
he said. “Now’s the time.”
The race rules are simple: First one back to Tampa Bay wins.
Another rule: Competitors must be able to drag their boats without assistance off
the launch beach and into the Gulf of Mexico at the start of the race. This rule
is designed to filter out larger, faster boats from the competition.
In addition to Isaac, the challengers include a boat designer from Jensen Beach,
Fla., a commercial pilot from Raleigh, N.C., a professor at University of South
Florida from Tampa, Fla., a truck driver from Staten Island, N.Y., a retiree from
Fort Myers, Fla., a utility superintendent from Delray Beach, Fla., and a boat builder
from Irons, Mich.
Challengers must complete the course within the 30-day deadline or be disqualified.
In north Florida, they face a 40-mile portage on foot (towing their boat behind
them) between the St. Marys River and the Suwannee River.
The current Ultimate Florida Challenge record was set in 2006 in a kayak: 19 days,
6 hours, 48 minutes. It involved round-the-clock paddling and a very sore butt.
The second-place boat, an expedition sailing canoe, arrived at the finish line 50
minutes later.
Modern GPS tracking units allow race officials and anyone with internet access to
follow each race participant in real time as they make their way around Florida.
Race commentary, a locator map, and other official information, including media
contacts for the racers, are available on the WaterTribe website at
www.WaterTribe.com.
The March 6 start of the Ultimate Florida Challenge coincides with the start of
two other WaterTribe races, the annual 300-mile Everglades Challenge from Tampa
Bay to Key Largo, and a 67-mile “ultra marathon” from Tampa Bay to Placida, near
Boca Grande.
With three races starting at once, more than 50 boats will be launching simultaneously.
Preparations begin Friday afternoon, March 5.
The launch beach is located on Mullet Key at Fort DeSoto State Park south of St.
Petersburg.
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The 2010 Ultimate Florida Challenge
1200 Miles and a 40-Mile Portage
Circumnavigate Florida Starting at Tampa Bay
March 6 - April 4, 2010
Full Details at:
www.watertribe.com/Events/UltimateFloridaChallenge
Video Captures WaterTribe Spirit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AbPpuZ-BPs.
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CONTACTS:
Marty “SaltyFrog” Sullivan
President, The WaterTribe
Tel: 407-484-0112 (cell)
Email:
jsullivan2@cfl.rr.com
Steve “Chief” Isaac
Founder, WaterTribe
Tel: 727-204-3276 (cell)
Email:
chief@WaterTribe.com.
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Expedition-Style Adventure Racing for Small Boats
The WaterTribe was founded in 2000 by Steve “Chief” Isaac, a former US Marine from
Clearwater, Florida, who wanted to create opportunities for people to compete in
long-distance small boat adventure races designed for paddlers and sailors. He organized
a series of expedition-style unsupported races for human and wind-powered boats.
No motors allowed.
Challengers must decide for themselves how far and how fast to travel. The competitors
face shifting winds, tides, and waves while pushing themselves to their physical
limits in round-the-clock competition. It’s all part of the Challenge.
The WaterTribe includes over 2,000 named members.
“The purpose of WaterTribe is to encourage the development of boats, equipment,
skills, and human athletic performance for safe and efficient coastal cruising using
minimal impact human and wind powered watercraft based on kayaks, canoes, and small
sailboats." ~ Chief, February 2000
Sponsored Events In 2010
The Everglades Challenge is an annual 300-mile race from Tampa Bay to Key Largo.
It includes mandatory stops at three checkpoints, and must be completed within a
week.
The Ultra Marathon is a 67-mile, two-day race from Tampa Bay to Placida. It takes
place simultaneously with the Everglades Challenge.
The Ultimate Florida Challenge is a 1,200-mile race that starts and ends near the
entrance to Tampa Bay. Racers complete a counter-clockwise circumnavigation of Florida
in 30 days or less. The Ultimate Florida Challenge is held every four years.
The North Carolina Challenge is an annual 3-day, 100-mile race in Core Sound.
The North Carolina Ultra Marathon is 40-mile, one-day race run with the 100-mile
race.
The 2010 Ultimate Florida Challenge Roster
PDF For Printing
Steve “Chief” Isaac, 61, a computer consultant from Clearwater, Florida,
and WaterTribe founder, in a Kruger expedition canoe with a full sail, outriggers,
and a leeboard. Quote: “This race is at the very top of my bucket list.” Tel: 727-204-3276
(cell), Email:
chief@WaterTribe.com.
Mark “ManitouCruiser” Przedwojewski, 39, builder of the Kruger canoes used
by five of the challengers, from Irons, Mich., in a Kruger expedition canoe with
full sail, outriggers, and a leeboard. ManitouCruiser finished second in the 2006
Florida Challenge. Quote: “The earth’s waterways are a most sacred gift. For me
water travel is always a life changing experience and I welcome another chance to
enjoy the gift.” Tel: 231-266-2089 (work), Email:
mark13ski@hotmail.com.
Matt “Wizard” Layden, 48, a boat designer/drafter from Jensen Beach, Florida,
in a self-designed and built 9-foot sailboat with enclosed cockpit and lug-rig sail.
Wizard finished third in the 2006 Florida Challenge. Quote: “I just want the chance
to get out on the water for a few weeks with a goal to sail towards.” Contact via
Karen Bayha, Tel: 772-221-4253.
Nick “Pelican” Hall, 61, a university professor and speaker/consultant from
Tampa, Florida, in a Hobie Tandem Island sailing kayak with a solar-powered engine.
The boat is entered in a special "experimental" class. Pelican finished fourth in
the 2006 Florida Challenge. Quote: “I’m doing the UFC 2010 to underscore the fact
that it is possible to do in a kayak with solar power just about anything you’d
do in an oil-powered vessel. No matter how far or where you go you can have a continuous
source of energy.” Tel: 813-230-5112, Email:
NRSH@aol.com.
Jonathan “RunningMouth” Coble, 35, a commercial pilot from Raleigh, North
Carolina, in a Kruger expedition canoe with full sail, outriggers, and a leeboard.
Quote: “Why am I entering the race? The grand adventure of it all.” Tel: 910-352-0703.
Email:
skykryme@hotmail.com.
Toby “Whitecaps” Nipper, 59, retired, from Fort Myers, Florida, in a Kruger
expedition canoe with full sail, outriggers, and a leeboard. Quote: “I’ve been waiting
for this one.” Tel: 239-209-0100, Email:
crackerknives@coconet.com.
Bill “SnoreBringGator” Herrmann, 55, a utility superintendent from Delray
Beach, Florida, in a Kruger expedition canoe with full sail, outriggers, and a leeboard.
Quote: “A life well lived is spent pursuing great challenges, experiencing moments
that make you say ‘WOW!,’ and finding joy therein. The UFC does that and more.”
Email:
herrmann.ufc@gmail.com.
Vladimir “CrazyRussian” Eremeev, 45, a truck driver from Staten Island, New
York, in an inflatable catamaran. Quote: “I have always liked to do impossible things.”
Tel: 917-873-0622, Email:
Vladimir.eremeev@gmail.com.
2010 Ultimate Florida Challenge Media Contacts
PDF for Printing
WaterTribe Officials
Steve “Chief” Isaac, WaterTribe founder, Tel. 727-204-3276 (cell),
Email:
chief@WaterTribe.com.
Marty “SaltyFrog” Sullivan, WaterTribe president, Tel. 407-484-0112 (cell),
Email:
jsullivan2@cfl.rr.com.
Ultimate Florida Challenge Race Managers
Joe “Tyro” Mullen, Tel: 941-626-2291 (cell), Email:
joemullen1@comcast.net.
Ed “PaddleCarver” Engel, Tel: 941-889-8124 (cell), Email:
paddlecarver@comcast.net.
Shore Contacts for Each Racer
(Best source on mid-race comments on a particular challenger)
Chief – Britt Beda, Tel: 813-495-1383, Email:
brittbeda@verizon.net.
Wizard – Karen Bayha, Tel: 772-221-4253.
CrazyRussian – Aminat (Amy) Krasnyanskaya, Email:
aminatkra@yahoo.com.
SnoreBringGator – Gail Herrmann, Email:
herrmann.ufc@gmail.com.
Whitecaps – Trena, Tel: 239-694-3324.
RunningMouth – Parker Coble, Tel: 817-680-4208, Email:
p.coble@sbcglobal.net.
Pelican – Hazel Hall, Tel. 813-985-2452.
ManitouCruiser – Brian Weber, Tel: 608-334-7996; Jack Cramer (first week of the
race) Tel: 231-392-2617.
2006 Ultimate Florida Challenge Participants
Available for Interviews
Warren “SharkChow” Richey, Tel: 954-916-9977 (work/home), 954-829-9330 (cell), Email:
Richeyw@hotmail.com.
He is author of the forthcoming book, “Without a Paddle,” about the 2006 Florida
Challenge.
Dawn “SandyBottom” Stewart, Tel: 919-923-1462 (cell), Email:
dawn.sandybottom@gmail.com.
Marek “Wayfarer” Uliasz, Tel. 970-225-1681, Email:
Uliasz@frii.com.
Gregg “AlaskanSeahorse” Berman, Tel: 650-576-5991, Email:
ofarchesandants@yahoo.com.
WaterTribe Veterans
Available for Interviews
Doug “RidgeRunner” Cameron, Tel: 931-636-1928 (cell), Email:
doug_cameron@bellsouth.net.
Kristen “KiwiBird” Greenaway, Tel: 919-428-0974 (cell), Email:
Kristen.greenaway@gmail.com.
Steven “KneadingWater” Bailey, Tel: 248-563-4088 (cell), 248-666-5489 (work), Email:
bailey@exclusivelycats.com.
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