James Island County Park will host a Special Olympics Kayak Competition on the morning of Saturday, August 18th. Athletes will gather at the park's lake to compete in this state competition hosted by Special Olympics South Carolina.
Spectators are encouraged to attend the event to cheer on the athletes. Prior to the competition, there will be an opening ceremony beginning at approximately 9 am, featuring a parade of athletes and a lighting of the cauldron. The competition will follow.
Athletes will compete at distances of 200 meters and 500 meters, and divisions will include solo, doubles and unified doubles. Charleston's own Special Olympics Kayak team, the Charleston Chargers, will be one of the teams competing. The Charleston Chargers practice and compete with the assistance of many volunteer coaches and other volunteers who act as “unified partners” for those athletes who cannot manage a kayak entirely on their own.
James Island County Park is located at 871 Riverland Drive and a $2 per person park fee applies. Parking for spectators and athletes will be available in the parking lot across from the lake behind the row of palmetto trees.
The Charleston Chargers team size varies each year, but usually consists of 12 to 18 athletes. The team has been practicing on the lake at James Island County Park for ten weeks prior to the competition. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) has been a partner in supporting the event and the Charleston Chargers team for 11 years. CCPRC also provides equipment and staff for safety purposes, throughout the season and during the competition.
For more information, call 843-795-4386 or visit CharlestonCountyParks.com.
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Press Release
