North Shore residents Saturday ascended onto Manhasset Bay to partake in the ninth installment of the Port Washington-Manhasset Bay Kayak Run, sponsored by the Community Chest of Port Washington.
Participants began rowing out for a lap around the six-mile bay at 10 a.m., stopping along 13 checkpoints along the way for security and hydration.
Proceeds from event’s entry fee, which was $25 for adults and $5 for children in advance of the run and $40 the day of the event, served as donations to the Community Chest.
“It’s always one of our bigger fundraisers,” said Joel Zief, a Community Chest board member who co-chaired the event with John Thompson of Atlantic Outfitters of Port Washington.
Zief said the run was not a race and has steadily grown each year.
Last year’s event featured 72 participants, Zief said, and by Friday morning the event had 46 people registered. More were expected to have registered by Saturday’s run.
The run used to start at 9 a.m., but Zief said tides were too low and not flowing well enough to lead participants into the bay.
“It’s a great event and people really love it,” Zief said. “It gives people a chance to get out there on the water.”
The day concluded with a raffle, with prizes including a brand new kayak.
