"The concept started in Mike May's head about a year ago.  How to raise money and awareness for Deans Cause.  We all know Dean, as a great surfer, but first and foremost a great friend. 

 

In addition to being a standout Surfer and South Jersey Legend, May is also an endurance athlete, or in this case madman.  "Hell let's just Paddle Around The Island"...Game on... A Vice President at Bally's Casino, Mike raised some cash from the Casino's and roped a group of friends to paddle with:  Myself, Frankie Walsh, Todd Desatnick, Chris Maier and a few others.  All retrieving pledges of our own and adding to the pot.  Mikes rain child was beginning to walk, or in this case "Paddle".

 

On the morning of July 13th we were greeted with solid overhead storm surf compliments of Hurricane Bertha. With 12 to 14 foot paddle boards getting out to the starting line was interesting.  Many of us lost our water bottles and protein bars.  Thank God for a crew of friendly volunteers who followed us around and brought us water, bug repellant and protein bars.  The Paddle down past AC was beautiful, large ocean swells, but glassy with the current at our backs, pushing us toward the AC Inlet. With favorable currents the first seven miles was almost pleasant. The Inlet however was dicey.  Large swell with lots of water moving around and curious boaters getting dangerously close. We all looked forward to the 12 miles bays and channels, only to be greeted by swarms of greenheads. Holy S#@t!!!  Apparently July is the peak of greenhead season, and the AC / Brigantine marshland is the chief nesting place for "greenies" on the East Coast.  FYI for scheduling next year.

 

Mike, Frank and Todd continued to pull away throughout the event, either due to avoid the slower paced paddlers or to simply escape the greenheads.  They were the first to experience The Longport / Ocean City Inlet, with solid 10 foot swell equipped with cross currents and white caps.  It was insane, which is why Mike picked his crazy friends to paddle, and with some divine intervention and Irish luck everyone made it through.  We were greeted in the Ocean by a school of dolphins who seemed a little more than curious.  It s Chris and myself, with Mike and the boys out of sight. 

 

From the Longport Jetty to Margate Pier is about 3 miles, so this was the home stretch; passing the smiling water tower, Lucy the Elephant and finally back to Margate Pier.  The surf was still overhead, and after a long day of paddling (6 1/2 hours) getting in might prove problematic. Hell I just wanted to get to the beach. Chris enjoyed some tunes on his waterpod and I took the next wave to the beach on my 12 foot kneeboard.  Sure enough, my old friend Mike greeted me on the beach with a smile and a beer; life is good.  In addition to Mike about 300 people came down to watch the end of the race. Great day with some great friends for a great cause: The Dean Randazzo Cancer Foundation." Hats off to Mike May because we raised more than $3,000.00.   This is the first annual so see you next year, which no doubt will be bigger and better yet. We love you Dean. Get well and we'll see you ie water soon.