On Saturday, July 26, shortly after 6:00 p.m., as many as 1,000 rubber ducks will splash into the lazy river at Sailfish Splash Waterpark for the inaugural Hobe Sound/Port Salerno Rotary Duck Derby to benefit the club's "Josh the Baby Otter" water safety training program for children. Josh the Otter, Waterpark mascot Splash B. Sailfish and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of spectators will cheer on the little quackers as they float across the finish line to victory. Sponsors of the first 20 ducks to get the checkered flag will win prizes, perhaps an iPad 5 or a flat screen TV.
The "Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation" created the "Josh the Baby Otter" program "to educate children and adults worldwide about water safety through drowning prevention campaigns and early childhood water safety training." Joshua Collingsworth, the foundation's namesake, died in 2008 at the age of two and one half from a drowning accident in the family swimming pool.
Tragically, drowning remains the leading cause of un-intended; injury-related death for children ages 1-5, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14.
Given these statistics, Sailfish Splash Waterpark chose to partner with the Hobe Sound/Port Salerno Rotary as part of the venue's "summer of water safety" initiative.
"We want keep the focus on water safety training for kids throughout the summer," explained Craig Jon Anderson, Marketing Coordinator, Martin County Department of Park & Recreation. "The Duck Derby and the Hobe Sound/Port Salerno Rotary's Josh the Baby Otter water safety training program is a perfect complement to the water park's full curriculum of swimming lessons."
The money raised through the Duck Derby will go to materials and expenses of conducting the Josh the Baby Otter program on an ongoing basis in Martin County kindergartens and elementary schools.
"For 3 years, the Hobe Sound Port Salerno Rotary Club has presented this great program to more than 5,500 children in Martin County, so the money raised through this inaugural Duck Derby will help fund the program into the future," explained Tony De Lorenzo, President of the Hobe Sound Port Salerno Rotary Club. "Moreover, we are delighted to partner with Sailfish Splash Waterpark for this event, and we thank our sponsors."
The success of Rotary's Josh the Otter connection started in 2010 through the efforts of one Florida club under the leadership of Rear Admiral James Underwood, USCG (Retired). That success rippled out around the world because the program addresses child safety in the context of literacy, both core issues for Rotary International.
To sponsor a duck or even a flock, contact Tony De Lorenzo, President, Hobe Sound Port Salerno Rotary Club, via email at tricountymhs44gmail.com or by phone, 772-463-7646 (office), 772-263-0529 (cell).
Alternatively, sponsor a duck through the Waterpark's online store at www.sailfishsplash.com. Rotary will notify all winners by email.
Come to Sailfish Splash Waterpark for the fun of watching 1,000 rubber ducks race around the lazy river on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.
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