Press Release

Paddle at the Point: Calling All Kayaks

Venture Outdoors to attempt world record on World Environment Day

(PITTSBURGH, PA — March 26, 2010) As part of World Environment Day on June 5, Pittsburgh will attempt to break the Guinness World Record™ for Largest Raft of Canoes/Kayaks. The record was most recently set by 1,104 boats in Inlet, New York, and previously held by Cleveland. You are invited to take part in the record: sign up at www.paddleatthepoint.com.

As the North American Host City for World Environment Day (WED) 2010, the region gains an opportunity to showcase its transformation from the "smoky city" of yesteryear to an increasingly recognized model for green innovations. Just days after the Water Matters! Global Water Conference is held in Pittsburgh's convention center, Venture Outdoors (VO) hopes to rally 1,500 participants to set a new world record.

"Our three rivers have been central markers of economic and environmental turnaround in the city, so using them to celebrate progress makes sense to us," said Erik Lingren, Executive Director of VO. "That's what interested us in this record. Pittsburghers have a lot of pride in our region. Attempting a record of this size will be awesome."

The record attempt will involve a flotilla, a free-floating raft of kayaks and canoes held together by hands. Sometime after noon, Kayakers will launch their boats from convenient locations downtown and form a raft near Point State Park. Once arranged, each will pull up his or her paddle and hold onto an adjacent boat for 30 seconds—long enough to satisfy the record's time requirement, and long enough for a photographer to get an aerial view.

"Venture Outdoors engages over 40,000 people annually in valuable outdoor experiences that impart a broader understanding of the natural world. We strive to create opportunities to appreciate the region's biodiversity, and to empower them to act as leaders on behalf of conservation issues, such as the protection of water quality," said Sean Brady, Assistant Executive Director at Venture Outdoors.

World Environment Day was established in 1972, and is considered one of the largest environmental events of its kind. This year, Pittsburgh was selected by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to host the event, themed "Many Species. One Planet. One Future."

"The Pittsburgh region has a remarkable opportunity...we must set the bar high in using World Environment Day to accelerate this region's pace of thinking and acting sustainably. It's our nature. In setting a world record for canoes and kayaks on the water, we stand for all people the world over in proclaiming and celebrating the ultimate ways in which water unites, gives life and inspires us. Water Matters!" said Court Gould, Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh.

Sustainable Pittsburgh accelerates the policy and practice of sustainability in southwestern Pennsylvania and is coordinating the Pittsburgh World Environment Day Partnership

"I wanted to call the event 'One World, 3 rivers, and 1,500 Yinzers," said Rob Walters, Membership Director at VO. "But we don't just want to rally Pittsburgh around this cause. We want everyone with a passion for the environment, the global community, for kayaking, or for our city to get out with us on this day."

"But," Walters added, "that slogan will make a great T-shirt if we break the record."

In his invitation, Walters means everyone broadly. VO staff assures participants that kayaking experience is not necessary to become a part of the event.

Participants will receive a frameable certificate when the attempt is complete. Registration is free, and participants without boats can rent by visiting the website. For updates, to register, and to learn more, visit www.paddleatthepoint.com. For a complete listing of WED events, visit www.pittsburghwed.com.

About Venture Outdoors
Venture Outdoors, a local non profit organization, seeks to transform the Pittsburgh region into a place where the outdoors is an integral part of urban culture, identity and lifestyle. By encouraging everyone to participate in outdoor recreational activities, Venture Outdoors promotes Pittsburgh's unique natural amenities, highlights the region's excellent quality of life, fosters a greater appreciation for the environment, inspires an active lifestyle and creates a shared sense of community.

Contact:
Sean Brady
Tel. 412.255.0564 ext 23
sbrady@ventureoutdoors.org