165+ miles raising funds for Believe In Tomorrow Housing
The epic Battle of the Paddles between two Baltimore bars begins here.
Whatever happened to SEA RATIONS???
Like Lance Armstrong said “Every Second Counts.”
Jon Belinkie, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Rock and Roll for Children, made a surprise appearance at Max's Taphouse to present Believe In Tomorrow VP and COO, Maryanne Davis, with a donation of $5,000.00 to support the programs of Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundaton. Ron Furman, Captain of Team Max's (pictured right) is set to compete against Scunny McCusker, Captain of Team Mama's in Baltimore's Battle of the Paddles, Mama's OAR Max's, another exciting fund-raising initiative for the foundation
In the back rooms of Max's Taphouse in Fells Point, a few of Baltimore's most notorious personalities shook hands in an agreement to engage in “friendly” competition. The pursuit: a grueling mental and physical challenge to achieve the ultimate bragging rights.
The inspiration came from what started as a one-man test of endurance. Patrick “Scunny” McCusker of Nacho Mama’s and Mama’s on the Half Shell in Canton began kayaking to get in shape. Then, as the result of a dare, the bar and restaurant owner took the hobby to a new level.
McCusker embarked on a solo, 240-mile voyage from Baltimore’s Canton neighborhood to Seacrets restaurant in Ocean City as a fundraising effort for Believe In Tomorrow. He pulled into a crowd of over 1,200 after four and a half days of paddling. McCusker completed a second journey – while overcoming obstacles like 8-foot swells, sharks, and … squirrels - before retiring to pure recreational kayaking…
Until now.
back to top
Like all brilliant ideas, the kayak trip started as a vague commitment by a couple of men and grew to involve bar owners and employees in a full-fledged battle.
Two teams of three* will compete in Believe In Tomorrow's Baltimore Battle of the Paddles, a kayak journey through the high seas of the Potomac, Chesapeake and Baltimore Harbor. Each man - and one woman – pledge to navigate individual kayaks through 165+ miles of open water to raise money in support of Believe In Tomorrow National Children's Foundation.
TEAM MAMA’S: Scunny McCusker, Delaware Dave and Sean Leahy, vs.
TEAM MAX ‘S: Ron Furman, Jason Mislan and Jessica Welsh.
*Due to space and permits, the teams were capped at three participants. There may be an opportunity for other kayakers to join the teams as they complete their final leg of the race.
back to top
All kayakers from Team Mama ’s and Team Max’s have already put themselves on “strict” diets to slim down for the harrowing journey.
In the coming months, both teams will begin a rigorous workout schedule, putting blades to water several times a week to claim the title of “Best Kayakers from a Baltimore Bar.”
The competition doesn’t stop there. Team Mama’s and Team Max’s will also compete to raise the most money in support of Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation. The combined fundraising goal is $100,000 for critically ill children and families who stay at the foundation’s hospital and respite houses.
Team strategies are already surfacing: Team Mama added blurbs to their specials menu about Ron and his team and Scunny receives a cake a week from Team Max’s in a ploy to sabotage his diet.
back to top
When:
September 21- 26, 2009
About the Course:
There are four legs in the race, including the final finish. Two of the legs incorporate the home of U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Academy as an acknowledgement of Believe In Tomorrow’s Military Initiative, which prioritizes families with critically ill children.
Kayak enthusiasts, Mama’s supporters, Max’s fans and military personnel, will join Scunny, Ron, Delaware Dave, Jason, Sean and Jessica, in the last and final leg of the race – to the finish line in Baltimore’s Fells Point, where an after-the-race party will follow.
Race Map:
Join our Facebook group:
Follow Mama’s and Max’s fundraising progress on Firstgiving:
 |
 |
Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation provides hospital and respite housing for families with critically ill children. In addition to being the exclusive provider of hospital housing for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, Believe In Tomorrow has five destination-driven respite facilities. Families can use these facilities free of charge on an ongoing basis throughout the treatment process for rest and relaxation. Two of the foundation’s respite facilities, The Believe In Tomorrow House on the Bay in Ocean City, Md., and The Believe In Tomorrow House at Pinnacle Falls, outside Asheville, N.C., prioritize military families with critically ill children.
back to top
Add your Paddle to the Battle ... From Dry Land
Showcase your brand, your branch of service, your neighborhood and your business across multiple platforms, including promotional materials, official race jerseys, websites, press and media materials – and on the oars. Title sponsor opportunities and individual leg-naming rights are available. Contact Susan Murrow or call 410-744-1032 for more information.
back to top