Adaptive Sports fest kicks off 20th year

GALVESTON — There’s a really good reason to head out to Moody Gardens on Saturday morning.

For the 20th time, the hotel and resort will host the Adaptive Sports Festival. The event gives special-needs kids the opportunity to participate in outdoor water sports.

The festival originally was started by the Hope Therapy program, which, unfortunately, hasn’t been as active since Hurricane Ike. This is one of the few events the program continues to sponsor.

“It’s part of our community outreach program with the Hope Therapy program that we want to continue to keep going,” Moody Gardens spokeswoman Leah Boyd said.

If you haven’t been, you should go. It’s quite an experience to see the kids get an opportunity to participate in something they ordinarily don’t get to do.

Roger Randall, president of Adaptive Aquatics, designs contraptions so the kids can participate in events like water skiing.

This year, thanks to private, unnamed donors from Kemah and Seabrook, sailing will be available.

The first 100 kids get in free with a free lunch. Participants can sign up for any sport.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Moody Gardens was still looking for volunteers. Call 409-683-4108.

Events start at 10 a.m. and last to 4 p.m.

Water Races This Saturday in Dickinson

For those wanting to get out on the water this weekend, try the Galveston County Canoe Races.

Formerly the Dickinson Canoe and Kayak Race, organizers Frank and Teddy Gray decided to change the name this year, the eighth in the event’s history.

“There’s also one in November, so a lot of people were getting confused,” Frank said. “So we changed the name.”

The event features all kinds of races for both kids and adults of all levels. Some include: racing kayaks, one-person canoes, two-person canoes and even recreational boats.

All races will be at Paul Hopkins Park in Dickinson. Festivities begin at 8 a.m., with awards beginning at 1 p.m.

Registration is $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Everyone receives a free lunch, and the kids can race in as many events as they’d like.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Frank said. “We organize this because we love canoe racing. It’s competitive, and you get to be outdoors.”

For information, contact Frank Gray at 832-746-5897.