Sports
No Worries Tour return to Wetumpka slated for June 14
By GRIFFIN PRITCHARD - Herald Sports Editor
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After considering last year’s series a success, riders on the No Worries Wakeboard Tour will return to the waters of the Coosa River for the first of three events in the upcoming months.
The group n formed by members of the Montgomery Area Homebuilder’s Association n will begin its tournament series June 14 at Gold Star Park. Pre-registration and practice is scheduled for June 13. The next two events are scheduled for July 19 and Aug. 16 with registration and practice days scheduled for July 18 and Aug. 15.
Free clinics to any interested wakeboarders or wakeskaters will be provided during the morning of the Friday’s prior to the tournament dates.
“I’m expecting a larger turnout than last year,” said Rick Graydon, coordinator for the No Worries Tour. “I’m realistically expecting 200 people for this first event. We had 50 riders at the last event last year, so that was about 150 people with friends and families.”
The No Worries Tour is broken into several skill levels including Grom (very limited skills), Beginner, Intermediate, Women, Advanced and Outlaws. There will also be a class for those who want to compete in the wakeskating division.
In 2007 more than $17,000 was raised for Brantwood Children’s Home. This year, moneys raised from the event will go to benefit Wetumpka’s Camp Chandler.
Camp Chandler, located on Lake Jordan, was founded in 1928 as a YMCA camp. Since its inception the camp and the staff “strive to put Christian principles into practice to create a fun and enjoyable experience in which children will grow in spirit, mind and body. The Camp Chandler experience offers more than just education in camping and outdoor skills. In this atmosphere, children can develop self-confidence, social skills, leadership, initiative, group responsibility, appreciation of the natural environment, spiritual awareness, independence and physical and mental growth.”
“We call it wakeboarding with a purpose,” said Graydon, who’s 17-year-old son Alex will be one of the tour’s competitors. “We are trying to have more things for the kids to do because this is something that’s actually worthwhile. My son is the main reason that I got into this. He is probably the impetus behind the whole thing.”
Points will be accrued by each competitor over the duration of the series with the final winners being recognized and awarded prizes during the final stop n Aug. 16 n of the tour. For information or to register contact Rick Graydon at 334-271-7677 or visit their Web site: www.noworriestour.com.
