PARROT HEADS LEAD THE VOLUNTEERS AT RUN OF THE CHARLES CANOE & KAYAK RACE

NEWTON, MA—March 25, 2003—The 21^st Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race seeks new volunteers to join the corps of annual volunteers who help staff the river celebration which returns Sunday, April 27, 2003.   A Volunteer Training open house will be held Monday, April 7, at CRWA’s old offices at 2391 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, from 5:00 – 7:30 pm. 

Hosted by the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), the Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race showcases the ongoing improvements in the Charles River while drawing over 1800 participants and thousands of spectators to enjoy a day on the river.  The Run of the Charles is the largest one-day canoe & kayak race in North America.

“The Run of the Charles could not happen without the support of so many enthusiastic volunteers,” said CRWA Executive Director Bob Zimmerman.  “The Run of the Charles attracts paddlers of all skill levels, from the elite professional marathon racers to newcomers who’ve never held a paddle before. With 400 boats expected, paddling 6 to 26 miles of the river through seven towns, the Run of the Charles offers an exciting experience for racers and volunteers,” he added.

The Run of the Charles volunteer pool has been headlined in recent years by the colorfully-dressed members of the Parrot Head Club of Eastern Massachusetts.

Parrot Head Club Social Director Kathy Werner, who returns as Parrot Head Volunteer Coordinator for the 2003 Run of the Charles, noted "this is our fourth year of involvement at the Run of the Charles!  Environmental causes are important to all of us and this event has become a favorite."

Werner expects 50 or more Parrot Heads to direct paddlers carrying their boats over streets and railroad tracks in downtown Waltham as they portage around the Moody St. Dam.

Parrot Heads, those Caribbean-lifestyle-loving fans of entertainer Jimmy Buffett, celebrate a passion for fun and life, and contribute to the community through efforts on behalf of charitable organizations. With more than 500 members, the Parrot Head Club donated over $18,000 and 2900 volunteer-hours in 2002.  They were named the Volunteer Group of 1999 by the Special Olympics of Massachusetts (SOMA) and inducted into the SOMA Hall of Fame in 2002.

The Parrot Head Club of Eastern Massachusetts will also have a membership tent at the Finish Line Festival where newcomers can learn more about the club, while relaxing to Jimmy Buffett tunes. Information is also available at their website www.phcoem.com. 

Another group of dedicated Run of the Charles volunteers comes from the Amateur Radio Relay League– the “ham” radio operators who send information from ten sites along the river to race officials and emergency staff at the Finish Line.  Ed Burg, who coordinates the ‘hams,” sets up the radio antenna and staffs the central radio office, says the hams volunteer for the Run of the Charles as part of their public service training.  Ham radio operators participate in mobile operations support activities as part of their emergency preparedness efforts.

Burg works with 30 – 50 “hams” at the Run of the Charles each year, making sure the race-timer knows about all the boats in the race before each crosses the finish line.  The “hams” are also on hand in case of emergency to rapidly reach emergency workers without worrying about cell-phone batteries or “no signal” areas.

The Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race features paddling races for all skill levels, from expert to novice.  While the $16,650 Professional Flatwater 26 Mile Canoe Marathon draws elite paddlers from across the United States and Canada, the shorter races draw corporate teams and recreational paddlers aged 12 and up.  The races, including the 24-Mile Relay Race, 19-Mile, 9-Mile, and 6-Mile races, plus a 6-Mile Outrigger Canoe race, begin at various points along the Charles River, and travel through Needham, Dedham, Newton, Wellesley, Waltham, and Watertown.

All the races finish at MDC Herter/Artesani Park on Soldiers Field Road in Allston, where the afternoon Finish Line Festival features food, music, awards, raffles and demonstrations.  Admission to the Finish Line Festival, where teams can hold post-race picnics, is free.

Sponsors of the 2003 Run of the Charles include Boston Duck Tours, Community Newspaper Company Nantucket Nectars, Payless Shoe Source, Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS), Haley & Aldrich, BSC Group, Mirant Kendall, SignArt Inc., Bending Branches, Polynesian Racing Craft, Patagonia, Nantahala Outdoor Center, SR Weiner/WS Development, the Parrot Head Club of Eastern Massachusetts, and the Charles River Boat Company.

Boston Bruins defenseman Hal Gill has served as Honorary Chairman of the Run of the Charles since 1999. Community Newspaper Company will again serve as the Official Newspapers of the Run of the Charles.

Newcomers are invited to join the Parrot Heads and many other volunteers in enjoying the behind-the-scenes experience at the Run of the Charles.  All volunteers receive a free t-shirt, a chance to win valuable prizes in the Volunteers-Only Raffle, appreciation from CRWA and the paddlers, and the knowledge that their volunteering helps CRWA continue its mission to protect the Charles River.

The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) seeks to protect and enhance the health, beauty and enjoyment of the Charles River and its tributaries. Since its founding in 1965, CRWA has played a prominent role in cleaning up the river and protecting its watershed.

For more information on the 2003 Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race, please call (800) 969-RACE, (508) 698-6810, e-mail rotc@charlesriver.org or visit www.charlesriver.org.