Annual Blind Fishing Derby in Kelowna
By Steve Fennell, SunCruiser Boating
Every year the Kelowna Yacht Club and its powerboat members get together for the annual Blind Fishing Derby, which offers the chance for the visually impaired to enjoy a day on the water guided by members and volunteers of the Kelowna Yacht Club.
In its 18th year, The Blind Fishing Derby is scheduled for July 21, 2018 on the Commodore’s Dock at the Kelowna Yacht Club and is devised to offer a focused, annual event to bring together the local blind community with the boating community of the Kelowna Yacht Club. All visually-impaired individuals in the area are invited to attend and as the name implies, fishing is a large part of the event but has expanded in recent years with narrated, guided cruising tours.
“Whether it’s the smell of fresh air and the wind in your hair or the excitement and rush of a fish tugging on the end of your line, nothing compares to being out on the water,” according to a release from the Kelowna Yacht Club. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of being out on the water.”
A volunteer-based event where Kelowna Yacht Club members donate their time, efforts, and fishing equipment, the Blind Fishing Derby kicks-off at 8:30 am, when guests, guides and volunteers will be introduced over coffee, tea and pastries before heading out to enjoy a morning of fishing or cruising at 9:30 am. The boats are scheduled to begin their return to the docks at 11:45 am for lunch served by The Kelowna Yacht Club where the winners will be presented with a fishing trophy (and their names will also be engraved on the main trophy on display at the Kelowna Yacht Club). Many other prizes will also be handed out.
This is a volunteer-based event where Kelowna Yacht Club members donate their time, efforts, and fishing equipment for the visually impaired. The event will be hosted along the slips of the Commodore Docks.
The Kelowna Yacht Club is located at 1370 Water Street in Kelowna and a representative of the event will be stationed at the gate for access. For more information about Kelowna Yacht Club or to volunteer visit www.kelownayachtclub.com or contact the club at (250) 762-3310.
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