3rd Annual Paddle Imua Benefit Presented by BLUESMITHS Kicks Off May 3rd

MAUI, Hawaii –BLUESMITHS Crafted Waterwear is proud to present the third annual Paddle Imua event on Saturday, May 3rd, a downwind paddle race and community gathering that benefits Maui’s children with special needs. The 10-mile race from Maliko Gulch to Hawaiian Canoe Club in Kahului’s harbor unites paddlers across many disciplines to support and celebrate an incredible cause.

Open to the public, the race invites stand-up, outrigger, prone and surf ski paddlers to compete alongside legendary athletes and BLUESMITHS ambassadors, Andrea Moller, Jeremy Riggs, Loch Eggers, Suzie Clooney and Sonni Hoenscheid in a fun-filled day on the famed North Shore. Big wave surfer and SUP pioneer Dave Kalama, among other notable athletes, will also be in attendance again this year.

To register for the event, visit www.paddleimua.com. Race entries will also be available at the start line on the day of the event.

All proceeds from Paddle Imua registrations and raffle ticket purchases will be donated to Camp Imua, a volunteer-based summer camp for special needs children located in the West Maui Mountains and a program of Imua Family Services. Each summer, Camp Imua provides a weeklong free overnight recreational experience filled with crafts, games, swimming, and general fun. “Imua” means “to move forward” and the goal of Paddle Imua is to help the organization progress by helping to fund the camp experience. The event also offers racers an opportunity to connect with many of the Camp Imua attendees, offering the children an inspiring opportunity to experience water sports.

Kicking off Maui’s down-wind paddle season, Paddle Imua will also include an Ohana Celebration beginning at noon at the finish line located at the Hawaiian Canoe Club. The festive gathering will feature live music, food, Maui Brewing Company beer garden, massage tent by Deep Relief, a BLUESMITHS retail space, raffle, kid’s activities and more.

Special thanks to our supporting sponsors Zevenbergen Capitol Investments, Alaska Airlines, Da Kine, SIC Racing, Maui Brewing Company, Goofy Foot Surf School, Deep Relief Maui, Ke Nalu, Nuka Maui, Handsome Buggah, Da Bounce, Newf Surfboard Net, Tropic Water, Perfect Bar, Ozolio and SOS Shapes.

ABOUT BLUESMITHS
Bluesmiths makes the hardest working, most versatile waterwear and accessories in the world. Based in Maui, a real-time research and development lab, everything we make is the result of rigorous testing by a small but accomplished team of ocean athletes, pioneers and watermen. At Bluesmiths, we live for innovation and problem solving, best-in-class fabrics, timeless styling and uncompromising manufacturing standards. Learn more at www.bluesmiths.com.

Media Contact: Kate Gaeir, kate@kategaeir.com / (206) 334-0863