140 sign up for ‘Timmy Would Go’

The island’s stand-up paddlers will be in the waters in Chalan Kanoa this Saturday for the 1st Annual “Timmy Would Go” Memorial Paddle Classic. (Jon Perez)

All is set for the 1st Annual “Timmy Would Go” Memorial Paddle Classic as 140 have already registered for this Saturday’s event.

Merissa Rasa, who organizes the outrigger canoe and stand-up paddle board races with husband Ponce, said two teams from Guam (Hoe Lokahi Outrigger Canoe Club and Taotao Galaide Outrigger Canoe Club are among the participants and will be joined by members of Saipan’s NAPU Outrigger Canoe Club, Saipan Panddling Canoe Club, and Marianas Outrigger Club.. The Rasas are expecting additional entries as they will still accept participants on race day at 8:30am.

Races will be held in the waters behind the Sandy Beach Homes and Surf Club Restaurant (former Pacific Gardenia Hotel) in Chalan Kanoa and will begin at 9:45am after the 9:30am race briefing. The technical meeting and official team registration are scheduled tonight at 6pm.

Preliminary races will take place in the morning session from 9:45pm to 1pm. The OC6 1,500 sprint will kick off the 52 races in the event and will be followed by the OC6 500m sprint. The SUP (stand-up paddle) 500m and 250m sprint races are the last two events.

SUP competition is divided into different age groups: boys and girls 8 to 12; 13 to 15; 16 to 29, women’s 30 to 44; men’s 30 to 39; men’s 50-and-above, and women’s 45-an- above. The OC6 races are for men’s and women’s open and junior teams.

The finals of the four race categories will run from 1:15pm to 4:45pm and will follow the same order. An awards banquet will be held from 5pm to 7pm. The Top 3 finishers in each division in SUP and outrigger canoe races will receive medals, while all participants are entitled to raffle prizes that were donated by the generous sponsors of “Timmy Would Go.”

“Timmy Would Go” will be held in memory of Timothy Lee Salas Wesley Jr., who was also called “Timmy Boy”. He died on Jan. 3, 2015 as he tried to rescue two young girls from drowning in the waters at Forbidden Island.

“Timmy was a hero, an avid ocean sports enthusiast, and a passionate paddler,” Merissa said.

She added that “Timmy Would Go” is taken in part from the phrase “Eddie Would Go.” Eddie is Eddie Aikau of Hawaii, a well-known lifeguard and surfer who also lost his life trying to save others from rough waters.

The Rasas are encouraging members of the community to support and watch the races.

“There will be live music and food for attendees and public awareness outreach from our sponsors. Proceeds from this event will be used to promote ocean awareness and water safety as well,” Merissa said.

Nearly 50 individuals and companies are supporting this weekend’s tournament.