Water Warriors to make stops in area

Water Warriors participating in the 18th Annual Endurance Ride to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Michigan will stop in Alpena on Monday.

About 70 riders will travel from Mackinaw City to St. Clair Shores in five days. They will arrive at the City of Alpena Marina around 3:30 p.m. Monday, stay overnight, and depart for Harrisville at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Since 1991, the Water Warriors have raised over $2 million for Special Olympics Michigan, which is funded strictly through donations. This year the group hopes to raise $110,000.

The money raised from the ride and other fund-raisers allows more than 16,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in Special Olympics.

In order to do the five-day ride, riders - who must be 18 or older - must raise a minimum of $1,800.

During stops, the Water Warriors often interact with local Special Olympics athletes.

"We have some athletes and families who come out and welcome the warriors, and they usually give some of the athletes rides on their machines," Special Olympics Michigan Public Relations Coordinator Michael Canale said.

Canale said there will be about 40 personal watercrafts and three or four boats taking part in the ride.

A support crew rides on the boats for safety reasons, he said. There is also a land support team to help with watercraft maintenance.

Joe Brousseau, an Alpena resident who is involved with Special Olympics Michigan, said the ride is a memorable experience.

"Its a great cause and a great bunch of people," Brousseau said.

He won't be riding this year, but has in years past.

Riders may be a bit tired once they arrive in Alpena, Brousseau said, because the area from Nine Mile Canyon to Alpena is typically pretty rough. The day after the stay in Alpena "saddle sores" set in, he said.

Despite the sores, he said he misses the ride.

"I will go back, I really enjoyed it," he said.

The trip begins in Mackinaw City and the riders stop in Cheboygan, Rogers City and Presque Isle before arriving in Alpena. From there the riders make stops in Harrisville, Tawas City, Caseville, Port Austin, Harbor Beach, Port Huron and Harsens Island before arriving in St. Clair Shores.

More information can be obtained by visiting the Special Olympics Michigan Web site at www.somi.org. To make a donation or become a Water Warrior, call (586) 731-0922.

Sean Harkins can be reached via e-mail at sharkins@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.