Dana Point, CALIF., –¬ The Ocean Institute’s 6th annual “Build-a-Boat Challenge,” a June 13th contest in which participants designed, built and raced their own boats, drew 500 participants and raised $55,000 for preservation of the Institute’s two tall ships, the Pilgrim and Spirit of Dana Point.
“Our award-winning maritime history programs serve thousands of children each year and funding needed preservation work on these two vessels is always a challenge,” related Dan Stetson, the Institute’s president. “We’re grateful to all who participated in our Build-a-Boat Challenge and encourage the public’s continued support of all our programs.”
Teams were given limited resources and four hours in which to build a boat. Once the boats were completed, they were taken to nearby Baby Beach to participate in a race. Some, to the enjoyment of spectators and participants alike, sank before reaching the finish line.
The winners for the day for the Cruiser Class were: 1st place, South Coast Medical Center, Laguna Beach; 2nd, Dana Point Yacht Club; 3rd, BLUEWater Design Group, LLC, San Pedro/Long Beach. The winners for the day for the Classic Class were: 1st, Bryan A. Stirrat & Associates, Diamond Bar; 2nd, Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc., Irvine; 3rd, Concordia Elementary, sponsored by Hydroseal Polymers, Innovative Polymer Systems & JMC Global, San Clemente.
For additional information on the Institute, including information on becoming a member, visit www.ocean-institute.org, or call (949) 496-2274.
Open to the Public on Weekends – The Ocean Institute is open to the general public on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Weekend visitors can enjoy special seasonal exhibits, as well as hundreds of living ocean animals, and shark and jellyfish feedings. Cost: $6.50 adults, $4.50 children ages 3-12. Or, with the purchase of a membership, a family can enjoy year-round free admission, benefit from member-only events and receive discounts on all other programs.
Visitors can also board one of the Ocean Institute’s sea-going vessels, the state-of-the-art R/V Sea Explorer or the historic tallship Spirit of Dana Point. Cruises are an additional charge. For information, visit www.ocean-institute.org.
Founded in 1977, the Ocean Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to ocean preservation through education, setting the standard for educational excellence and serving as a leading resource for universities, museums, teachers and all others seeking to increase their knowledge of the ocean.
2008 Business of the Year – The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce has selected the Ocean Institute as Dana Point’s “Business of the Year.” The award recognizes the positive contribution the Ocean Institute has made to the Dana Point community.
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Submitted By;
Jim Graves
