Around 30 watercraft riders are participating in the 16th annual Water Warriors Special Olympics fundraising ride, which began Monday morning, July 31. The five-day, 430-mile ride goes from Mackinaw City's Municipal Marina to St. Clair Shores. Riders, athletes and coaches from Special Olympics were treated to a free dinner by the Mackinaw City American Legion Sunday, July 30. Taking five days to travel 430 miles on a water scooter may sound intolerable to some, but for about 30 Water Warriors, it's a great opportunity to enjoy riding the Great Lakes while raising money for Special Olympics Michigan.

The annual ride, in its 16th year, makes seven stops along Lake Huron, St. Clair River, and Lake St. Clair, starting in Mackinaw City Monday morning, July 31, and finishing in Harsens Island near St. Clair Shores Friday, August 4.

Since the inaugural ride in 1991, the Water Warriors have raised $1.2 million for Special Olympics summer events. Last year, the group raised $148,000.

The ride is a spin-off of the Wertz Warrior Snowmobile Endurance Ride, another fundraising group, which raises money for Winter Special Olympics.

Riders from across the state participate in the event, said Bill Tondreau, Water Warriors public relations director, who has ridden in the event for 10 years.

"It's exhilarating," he said. "You never know what Michigan weather is going to throw at you. I remember we had a couple of nuns bless the fleet one year and we had calm, flat water all the way. The next year we had eight foot waves. But this ride is just as good as my trip to Hawaii. I love it."

Each rider must raise $1,800 to be able to participate in the ride, and Mr. Tondreau said Water Warriors members hold fundraising events such as poker runs with boats, pig roasts, and golf outings.

Each Water Warrior will ride about a mile or two offshore, following the coastline all the way down. Security and support crew in the water and on the mainland following them down.

The group makes overnight stops in Alpena, Tawas, Port Austin, and St. Clair Shores before finishing in Harsens Island. Riders will make several fuel stops along the way, at Cheboygan, Rogers City, Presque Isle, Harrisville in Thunder Bay, and Caseville.

Mackinaw City's American Legion provided a free dinner for the group Sunday evening, July 30. Several Special Olympic athletes and coaches attended, as did Village President Robert Heilman. "The people of Mackinaw support

this event very well," said Mr. Tondreau. "We also receive good support from the United States Coast Guard and the sheriffs in the various areas."

This year's ride is in memory of Bill Smith and Cheryl Parchem,

both of New Baltimore. Mr. Smith was the owner of Macomb Cycle and was a big donator to the Water Warriors, said Mr. Tondreau. He died of cancer last winter. Ms. Parchem, who was a Water Warrior, died of a heart attack last winter.