FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                     CONTACT: rob@standuplkn.com

March

10, 2015                                                                                             

Ray Evernham

Hosts WPA-Sanctioned Paddleboard Race to Raise Funds for Autism

– Racing Icon

Ray Evernham and My Aloha Paddle and Surf

Host World

Paddle Association Points Race to Benefit the IGNITE Community Center in

Davidson, NC –

(Mooresville,

N.C.) – My Aloha Paddle and Surf, in partnership

with 3-time NASCAR champion crew chief Ray Evernham, will host Stand Up for

Autism benefitting the IGNITE community center and the Autism Society of North Carolina

on Lake Norman May 8-9, 2015, at Port City Club in Cornelius, NC.

The

event will feature Elite and Recreational races, which are open to the general

public. Limited paddleboard rentals will be available on a first-reserve basis.

Paddleboard fitness demos will also be held. The race is sanctioned by the

World Paddle Association (WPA) and will be the first regional points race on

Lake Norman.

“After

four years of promoting paddleboarding and introducing so many of our residents

to the sport, it is so exciting to host a WPA race here in Lake Norman,” said

Rob Bennett, event director and owner of My Aloha Paddle and Surf.

Stand

Up for Autism will support IGNITE, a community center in Davidson for young

adults with high-functioning autism (HFA) or Asperger's Syndrome (AS). IGNITE

offers activities, skills training, and educational workshops that foster

social, financial, educational, and employment independence for its members.

But most importantly, IGNITE offers a social environment in which members can

connect with others and experience a sense of community. IGNITE is operated by

the Autism Society of North Carolina. IGNITE was founded in 2012 by NASCAR

champion crew chief Ray Evernham whose son, Ray J, has Asperger’s Syndrome.

“We

are very excited to partner with Rob and his team at My Aloha Paddle and Surf

to put on this great event,” said Evernham, who is a Lake Norman resident and

paddleboard enthusiast. “The IGNITE Community Center is a very important

project of mine and events like this are what enable us to continue having such

a profound effect on so many young adults on the Autism spectrum in Davidson,

NC.”

The

event will begin Friday evening with a kick-off party from 6-9 p.m. at Port

City Club, which will include food, beverages, silent auction and music. The

pre-race meeting will start at 8 a.m. with the WPA Region 6 sanctioned Elite

and Recreational races to follow. The awards ceremony on the beach will begin

at 11 a.m. and be followed by a luau featuring the Island Hula Girls along with

island music, food and fun activities for all ages.

If

interested in sponsoring or volunteering, please contact det@rayevernham.com. All event proceeds will benefit the IGNITE

Community Center and Autism Society of North Carolina.

To

register for the event, please visit: https://paddleguru.com/races/StandUpforAutismWPAPaddleboardRace.

Background:

·        

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental

disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. A

prevalence study by the CDC indicates as many as 1 in 58 8-year-old

schoolchildren in North Carolina may be diagnosed with autism.

·        

For more than 45 years, the Autism Society of North Carolina

has worked to address areas of need and expand services for the autism

community in North Carolina. ASNC works to directly improve the lives of

individuals affected by autism by providing advocacy, education, and services.

·        

For more information, call 1-800-442-2762 or visit www.autismsociety-nc.org.

Paddle Board Events

6.5 Mile Elite Long Course

May 9th, 2014 7am-8am Check-in, 8:15 start

Cost:      $60.00         Includes a Race Day T-Shirt and a Luau Ticket     

This registration price available until April 30, 2015.

Long Course Participant: A person that races frequently and maybe interested in competing at a higher level with better paddlers. This person can also manage and adapt to various water conditions like with waves, current and more difficult conditions on the open ocean.

Cash Prize is $500 for 1st place($250/Mens and $250/Womens)

Sponsor prizes to be announced

May 9, 2014  7am-8am Check-in, 8:30 start

Cost:        $40.00       Includes a Race Day T-Shirt and a Luau Ticket  

This registration price available until April 30, 2015.

1st Place Prize - Carbon fiber high performance Paddle - By Yolo and Pinnacle Paddles
Short Course Participant: A person that does not race on a regular basis or is just beginning to race in the sport and is also not interested in competing at a high level of competition. The racer most likely has not placed in the top 10 of their division in a race.

Sponsor Prizes-

1st Place Prize - Carbon fiber high performance Paddle - By Yolo and Pinnacle Paddles 

.5 mile Kids race under 14 years old
May 9th, 2015 7am -8am Check-in, 10am start

Cost: $15.00

###