Paddler Sandy Rinderer has a unique idea for an environmental effort — take a shot at breaking a Guinness World Record while fundraising for New Jersey’s beloved Barnegat Bay.
On Saturday, August 20, 2022, Rinderer and a group of fellow paddlers are hosting “Paddle for the Bay.” The event is a one-mile community paddle to best the standing Guinness World Record for a parade of canoes and kayaks. To do so, Rinderer needs roughly 400 paddlers to hit the water on the Tom’s River in Pine Beach, NJ. This would beat the current standing of 329 boats previously set in Poland.
A Guinness World Record Canoe & Kayak Attempt At The Jersey Shore
In an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Rinderer states how rewarding it would be to have the record right on this Mid-Atlantic waterway. “Honestly, I’ve lived on the river all my life,” Rinderer tells the Inquirer, “and I just thought it would be such a cool thing to see all those colorful canoes and kayaks in one place.”
Considering the sizeable number of paddlers in New Jersey and the surrounding states, Rinderer may be able to pull it off. They just need your help East Coast boaters. Best of all this isn’t a record attempt just for the sake of it. After covering the fees for the Guinness folks and local permits, the remainder of the $10 participation fee will be donated to Save Barnegat Bay. The organization is tasked with efforts to restore the namesake body of water.
Something For Every Paddler On Barnegat Bay
New Jersey’s Barnegat Bay watershed is home to diverse opportunities for paddlers. There is the annual open water race on the Tom’s River. An archipelago of sedge islands to tour off Island Beach State Park. And popular canoe reaches of the Pine Barrens, such as Cedar Creek. Within the last few decades, development surrounding this watershed has led to increasing nutrients and decreasing water quality for the aquatic life that calls the bay home. As well as make it an exciting place for paddlers like Rinderer to enjoy.
According to the Inquirer and Rinderer, there are a few rules to clinch the spot in Guinness. First off, to beat the standing record for a parade of canoes and kayaks, paddle boards are not permitted. Also, everyone must be wearing a PFD, and no motorized vessels are allowed.
If you would like to join in on the Guinness Record attempt, grab your boat and sign up at: https://www.raceforum.com/paddleforthebay.
