Paddling to glory

It was a beautiful morning for standup paddleboarding, but the athletes in the Special Olympics Area 9 competition weren't there for just a leisurely cruise – they were in it to win it.

A field of 35 athletes competed in the event at Sugden Regional Park on Saturday, July 15, guiding their paddleboards over courses that ranged from just out to a buoy and back to a nearly 3-mile race covering six 800-yard laps around the lake. With a variety of intellectual disabilities, the Special Olympics athletes are grouped according to their abilities, competing against others on a level playing field – or in this case, body of water.

After brief opening ceremonies, during which athletes heard and recited the Special Olympics pledge, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me brave in the attempt," the four competitors in the 4,800-yard competition headed out onto the lake. While they paddled for nearly an hour, shorter races for athletes who had more recently taken up paddleboarding saw athletes trying their skill in front of the beach and grandstand.

A safety boat, the ski boat that pulls water skiers around the lake, stood ready at the dock, and marshals or monitors on paddleboards were situated around the lake, ensuring competitors stayed safe. Athletes at differing levels did one, two or four laps around the triangular course, along with the long six-lap race.

"Hey mom, can you cheer me on?" one athlete was overheard asking his mother before heading out onto the lake. The level of support, not just from moms but from all in the bleachers, was unflagging, giving each racer the chance to experience the feeling of competing and accomplishing.

Becky Newell, longtime Special Olympics supporter, mother of athlete Steven Newell and wife of coach Doug Newell, said that going to the games becomes a way of life for the families. In addition to SUP, Steven swims, bowls and golfs with the Special Olympics program.

"There's no better way to stay busy," said Becky Newell. "We've never taken a season off."

When each athlete finished their race, they beached their standup paddleboard, or SUP, removed the safety leash and carried their paddle up onto the beach and ran or walked through the official finish line. These competitors exemplified the spirit of friendly competition, embracing and congratulating each other after they came off the water.

Stefan Johnson, who came in first in the long race, gave a big hug to second place finisher Brock Bordeau.

"You did so good, bro." "You were amazing – you never got tired," they complimented each other.

The athletes also celebrated. After regaining the beach, one athlete, Brian Francis, raised his paddle and his cap in triumph, saluted, mugged for the camera, then broke into a solo dance routine that would put an NFL endzone dance to shame.

"You know he's been practicing that," commented one coach standing nearby.

In these Olympics, everybody who competed is a winner, and the athletes all received a ribbon for their participation. But more than bragging rights were on the line. The top finishers in the Area 9 competition, which included athletes from four counties, will advance to the Florida state finals, being held August 26 in Sarasota. As of presstime, Special Olympics Collier County Director David McKenzie did not yet know how many of the athletes would qualify.

"We haven't gotten our quotas yet," he said.

One local athlete, Viviana Pantoja, already knows she is going to the nationals being held next July in Seattle. She will travel with coach M.J. Weibling, who has also been tapped to serve as a technical delegate for the national Special Olympics SUP event.

Standup paddleboarding has been part of the local Special Olympics program since 2010, said McKenzie, and Saturday's event went off without a hitch.

"This gives these athletes who have been practicing all these weeks to display their talents," he said. "They put in a lot of hard work to be able to be here today."

For more information, or to contribute to help Special Olympics Collier County, call 239-775-1991 or go online to www.specialolympicscollier.org.