Paddle into New York City with Tom Jones as he sets a new World Record

This is an invitation to paddle with Tom Jones on the final leg of his 1500-mile world-record standup paddle. The paddle will be from the Coney Island Pier to the North Cove Marina in Battery Park on the morning of Thursday 8/12. Participants will paddle with Tom and K38 Water Rescue expert Marta along with news reporters covering Tom’s arrival. The last few miles up the river to Battery Park will be accompanied by a fireboat in full spray mode. Participation in this truly unique SUP event requires only a tax-deductible $99 donation to Plastic Free Ocean and includes the reception for Tom and Plastic Free Ocean in Battery Park hosted by Wyndham and the Mayor’s office.

• Distance is 13.5 miles paddling with the incoming tide – about 3½ hours of paddling.
• This is NOT a race, but you must be able to maintain a steady pace to stay together for arrival as a group about 10AM.
• You will need someone to drop you off at the Coney Island Pier parking lot at 5:30AM on Thursday 8/12, and to pick up you and your board at North End Avenue which is a dead-end right at the North Cove Marina. These locations can be clearly seen on Google Earth or Google Maps. Pick up time will be noon to 1PM. The closest parking garage to North Cove Marina is located in the Gateway Plaza building at 345 South End Ave (212-321-2345).
• You will need to show your $99 donation receipt. Go to http://www.plasticfreeocean.org/node/2 and read the simple instructions on how to print out a receipt. Then just click on the DONATE NOW button in the upper right corner of the web page to use credit card or PayPal to contribute $99. Print out your receipt and bring it to the event. The list of $99 contributions will help us know how many paddlers to expect, but if you just can’t contribute online, we will accept a check or cash donation at the Coney Island Pier.
• You will be required to sign a liability waiver to participate.

Note that there will be silent auctions for the actual world-record 14’ and 11’ boards that Tom used to paddle from Key West to New York City, and for the paddle that saw all 1500 miles of water. We believe these Tom Jones Extreme boards, manufactured by Arkboards, are respectively among the best flat-water distance and crossover SUP surfboards ever designed. Whether you want to put these boards on the water or hang a unique world-record memento on your wall, Tom will personally sign each board and the paddle for the winning bidders whose bids will further benefit a cause important to everyone who loves the ocean.

Minimum bid on the 14’ board is $2100. Minimum bid on the 11’ board is $1200. Minimum bid on the paddle is $400. All are in excellent condition.

It’s worth noting that Tom’s big finish is the day before the Surfers’ Environmental Alliance NYC Paddle around Manhattan. We hope that you’ll follow Tom right up to the last day on Facebook.

As always, thanks for your support.
Andy Glass