2013 Ride dates: Monday, July 29-Friday, August 2

The Water Warriors are men and women from all walks of life who have two things in common; their love of water sports and their desire to help people. The Water Warriors participate in a 5-day, 350-mile endurance ride on personal watercraft (wave runner type machines) starting at Mackinaw City, riding the entire length of Lake Huron, the St. Clair River 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 born by a member of the Wertz Warrior Snowmobile Endurance Ride, who believed overcoming the obstacles of Michigan's vast waterways and weather conditions could be conquered.

The annual five day trek takes place the end of July. Each day has pre-planned fuel stops, rest stops, evening activities and overnight accommodations. There are three categories of volunteers: The riders, land support, and water support.

Take the ride of your life!
Become a Water Warrior!

• Riders MUST be 18+ years old

• Riders commit to raising at least $1,500 for riding all 5 days. Commitments for riding less than 5 days also available.
  

• Shorter rides & financial commitments are available

• The Water Warriors are responsible for paying their own expenses on the trip.

• A rider commits to raising a minimum donation of $1,500 and riding his/her machine from Mackinaw City to Harsens Island. The $1,500 can be generated in many ways. Some riders solicit funds through their business associates, others have pig roasts, spaghetti dinners, golf tournaments, bingo's, steak outs, etc.
• Members who raise their money and do not have a PWC or cannot ride will be offered a spot to ride on a Support Boat.
• 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 follow 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 thereare more than 19,620 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.

If you would like to get involved on any level, please feel free to contact us. We are waiting to hear from you.

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

Water Warriors 2013 Board of Directors:

Chairwoman:

• Ann Plegue

Co-Vice Chairmen:

• Dan Garon & Bryan Rollison

Members:

• Mike Rachuk
• Tom Chauvin  
• Karen Winkle
• Chris Johns

Coordinator:

• Wendy May

Assistant Coordinator:

• Lisa Pioszak
  

Financial Officer:

• Darlene Markel

Land Support Director:

• Wayne Persons

Publicity:

• Matt Addy

Up-north Liaison:

• Brad Saegesser

2012 ERIC MUELLER BIG HEART AWARD
Congratulations to Wendy May!

2013 ERIC MUELLER BIG HEART AWARD

Congratulations to Karen Winkle!

On Saturday, November 17, 2012 - 4 Water Warriors Members attended the Special Olympics State Poly Hockey Tournament in Lansing. We participated in the Opening Ceremonies and presented Special Olympics Michigan athletes with a check for $49,000!!! We also participated in an autograph session with the athletes. The Warriors attended a few of the Poly Hockey games and cheered on the St. Clair River Rockers coached by Tom Chauvin. It was a great weekend and a wonderful opportunity to see how they money we raise helps sponsor this event that hosted 56 Poly Hockey teams from across Michigan.

2013 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

• Ongoing: Candle Sale - Bryan & Roxanne Rollison (rmrollison@gmail.com) There are 20 different scents & they are $12 ea. (Shipping available) 
• 4/27/13: Check presentation at the Area Director's Conference in Mt. Pleasant (Email waterwarriors.mackinawride@gmail.com if you'd like to participate.) 
• 5/16/13: Water Warriors Meeting: 6:00 Board, 7:30 General Membership VFW New Baltimore
• 6/20/13: Water Warriors Meeting: 6:00 Board, 7:30 General Membership VFW New Baltimore
• 6/25/13: Spaghetti dinner (more info TBA)
• 6/26/13: Lake St. Clair Fun Run (poker run) [Ann Plegue annplegue@gmail.com]
• 7/21/13: Water Warriors Meeting: 1 p.m. at Brown's on Harsens Island
• 7/26/13: PWC Loading party- VFW (time TBA)

• 2013 RIDE: July 29th - August 2nd

• 7/30/13: Steakout - Tawas [Ester Radgowski] more info will follow
• 8/1/13: Pig Roast - Bridge Harbor Yacht Club - Port Huron [Tom Chauvin: tomchauvin1@gmail.com]
• 8/1/13: Office Lounge Fundraiser - Port Huron [Darlene Markel: darmarkel@comcast.net]
• 8/2/13: End of the Ride Celebration: Brown's - Harsens Island
• 8/24/13: Eric Mueller Memorial Kayak Run Harsens Island [Wendy May kayakerswanted@gmail.com]
  
  

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.

The Sweet Tooth of Marine City

Mac & Ray's Harbor Bistro Restaurant - Harrison Twp.

Sindbad's - Detroit

Brown's - Harsens Island

Algonac Harbor Club

Sunsation Boats

Striker's Entertainment Center - Richmond

Grace Performance - Port Huron

American Legion - Mackinaw City

Mackinaw City Municipal Marina

Welcome Inn - Mackinaw

Baymont - Mackinaw

Lighthouse Restaurant - Rogers City

Best Western - Alpena

Hungry Howie's - Alpena

Bay Inn - Tawas

Tawas Bay Marina

Tawas Eagles Club

United States Coast Guard

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Caseville Kiwanas

Caseville Municipal Marina

Thumb National Bank & Trust

SOMI - Area 10

Blue Spruce/Lucky Horseshoe - Port Austin

Buffalo Wild Wings - Port Huron

Achatz Catering - Adair

Bridge Harbour Marina - Port Huron

Office Lounge - Port Huron

Hampton Inn - Port Huron

St. Clair County Sheriff Marine Division

VFW - New Baltimore

B & W Drywall

McFat's Meats - Fair Haven

Mark's Auto - Fair Haven

Kenmore Asphalt - Shelby Twp.

Voyager - St. Clair

Additional Info

• Water Warriors Newsletter 2011