On Aug. 11-12 this year, Melanie Price will attempt to swim 42k across Lake Ontario from Port Dalhousie to Oakville to raise funds for Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (LOW), a registered charity working to restore and maintain the ability to swim, drink and fish in LakeOntario. Through the swim, Melanie hopes to increase awareness of the need to protect Lake Ontario’s natural resources and encourages everyone to “Help put the Great back into the Lake” so we can all benefit and appreciate the Great Lake for years to come.

Launched in 2001, LOW works hard to create a watershed where people can safely swim, drink, and fish. The charity engages in legal processes to enforce environmental laws and help to inform wise decision-making. The group educates and mentors people who want to learn more about water quality challenges and environmental law, including student volunteers from many of Canada’s top law schools.

LOW conducts research to identify threats to water quality and natural habitat and to monitor trends in environmental law. LOW is also a member of the internationally-recognized Waterkeeper Alliance. This New York-based group is led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and provides a link between the world’s 180-plus independent waterkeepers.  Charitable donations to LOW are greatly appreciated and can be made through Melanie’s giving page: http://www.canadahelps.org/gp/11261

Melanie trains regularly with Burlington Masters Swim Club (BMSC) and has also been adding a 7.5k swim in mid-week and a 12k in on the weekend.  The mileage will continue to build and she is excited for open water (OW) season and swimming with the Lake Ontario Swim Team (LOST), based in Oakville. The crossing is physically challenging, but there are also organizational and financial challenges.  Solo Swims of Ontario (SSO) regulates the swim and sets boats and other requirements to ensure safety.  For her attempt, Melanie still needs to procure a large 30 foot “tail” boat capable of a speed of at least 15 knots and 2 inflatable boats, at least 14 feet in length with 7.5 to 15 HP motors (complete boat requirements can be found on page 13 at http://www.soloswims.com/SSORI.pdf).  Those willing and able to help in this regard can contact Melanie at pryson3@cogeco.ca.    For more information please visit Melanie’s website at: http://melaniepriceadventures.blogspot.com/

Sea Doo ULTIMATE Fan Contest

BRP is conducting a contest to find the Ultimate Sea-Doo watercraft fan that will be invited to Montreal, Canada this Summer to see the unveiling of the new 2012 Sea-Doo watercraft and boat line-up. The Ultimate fan winner will also win a trip to Lake Havasu, Arizona, where he will be given a new 2012 Sea-Doo watercraft.

BRP’s contest is open to any and all North American Sea-Doo enthusiasts who live, eat, and breath the Sea-Doo lifestyle and who enjoy sharing their experiences with others via forums, blogs, vlogs, videos and person-to-person. Each entrant will visit www.ultimateseadoofan.com  to create a profile and upload their photos and videos and submit an essay on why they are the Ultimate Sea-Doo Fan!  Visitors of the site can also get a sneak peek at what BRP has coming in 2012 via the “Veiled Rider” teaser video above.

Two finalists will be selected for a VIP trip to Montreal, Canada to experience the 2012 Sea-Doo Launch in five-star fashion. At the launch the two finalists will be voted on by the world-wide BRP dealer network to determine THE Ultimate Sea-Doo Fan.

The Ultimate Sea-Doo Fan will receive a BRP prize package that includes:

• A trip for two to Lake Havasu City, AZ
• A Sea-Doo Clothing and Riding Gear package
• One Sea-Doo iCatch Advanced TEC PWC trailer
• One new 2012 Sea-Doo watercraft
• A GoPro Hero HD Camera and motorsports mount kit
• $2000 towards Sea-Doo related travel and adventure

Visit www.ultimateseadoofan.com or http://www.fanultimateseadoo.com (for our French speaking friends) for more information. “LIKE” us at www.facebook.com/SeaDoo for the most up-to-date information regarding the Sea-Doo iControl Test Ride Tour events and everything Sea-Doo!

For a look at the new Sea-Doo watercraft and boats with iControl technology, visit  www.sea-doo.com

RENDEZ-VOUS 2011 now open for Registration

The boating event of the summer of 2011 is now open for Registration! 

Power Boating Canada’s Rendez-vous Events – a Poker Run for Everyone – is now accepting registrations from all types of boats from inflatables and PWCs to cruisers and yachts and everything in between.  If it has a motor then you can enter it!

Four events are planned across Ontario this summer, in response to the feedback and requests from participants at last summer’s Rendez-vous in Gananoque, Ontario.  For 2011 the dates and locations are:

– July 1-2-3 in Ottawa Ontario

– July 22-23 in Gananoque, Ontario

– July 15-16 in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario

– August 5-6 in Orillia, Ontario

Registration Forms are available online and all events are open on a first come first served basis with enrollments limited only to ensure all safety considerations are met.  So register today and we’ll see you on the water.