Paddles aweigh!

paddling prowess to participate in the 33rd annual Great Dock Canoe Race, while the crowd cheers them on from the City Dock, the chickee hut at Cove Inn and Riverwalk at Tin City. Hundreds of boats along the racecourse will hold more spectators.

"I guess it's our gift to the community," says Mr. DePasquale, whose restaurant team now works on the race year 'round. "It's really fun."

Racers in it just for fun compete in the Ambitious Amateurs heat. Some don't make it past the start line, and newbies occasionally find themselves backwards in their boats. But most valiantly paddle on and complete the three-mile course with pride intact.

More serious paddlers compete in the Practically Professionals heat for the overall championship and the record time, which is now under 20 minutes.

Making it more interesting for racers and watchers alike is high priority. About 10 years in, planners decided to theme the race and encourage competitors to dress the part. More recently, theme canoes "parade" around the cove so those on land and water can share in the show. One memorable example: In the year themed "Dynamic Duos," King Kong and Faye Wray, complete with the Empire State Building that barely fit under the start banner, took the day.

Spectators line the docks, cheering on their favorites and taking in the sights. Naples Beach Hotel owner Mike Watkins each year finds a way to make his Pittsburgh Pirates uniform fit the theme — easier in some years ("Pirates of the Caribbean") than in others ("Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves," when he wore a large hoop earring to represent a gypsy, a dog charm signifying Tramp and his Pirates jersey for the thief motif). Who knows how he'll interpret this year's theme, "It's A Jungle Out There."

The VIP Tippy Canoe Sprint, in which corporate executives race for the glory along shortened course, is another highlight. Justretired Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter and Chief Scott Salley have won two of the 17 sprints, one year coming back from having been tipped at the start; FGCU's Dick Pegnetter and Joe Sheppard have crossed the finish line first three times.

2008 "Whatever Floats Your Boat" entry. Among the most coveted of the Great Dock Canoe Race prizes is the Broken Paddle award for sportsmanship, presented each year to the team that competes to the best of their ability and completes the race, but due to circumstances beyond their control are unable to win. The award honors the late Chuck Bruce, a great contributor to the race for many years. Paddles painted by artist Jerry Vallez with Broken Paddle winners' names hang at the Dock.

Although not designed as a fundraiser, the Great Dock Canoe Race has donated nearly $150,000 to Collier County children's charities. Focusing on smaller charities where a $5,000 donation can make a real difference, the race has enabled cancer patients to attend summer camp through the Cancer Alliance of Naples, and abused and neglected kids to have a court advocate through Guardian ad Litem.

This year, the CHS Healthcare Early Health initiative will receive a grant made possible by race sponsors The Dock and Riverwalk, Lutgert Companies/Lutgert Insurance and TIB Bank, by in-kind donations from Brookside Marine Rentals, Renda Broadcasting, Sweet Liberty, Sunbelt Printing, Extreme Boat Rental and Anheuser-Busch, and by entry fees from VIP racers.

2008 "Titanic" entry. For many, the Great Dock Canoe Race evokes memories of Naples as a small town, when getting together on a Saturday afternoon just for the fun of it was the thing to do. Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it?

The fun begins at 11 a.m. with the canoe parade. The VIP Tippy Canoe Sprint makes waves at 11:45 a.m., followed by the Ambitious Amateurs at 12:45 p.m. and the Practically Professionals at 1:45 p.m. The awards ceremony is at 2:45 p.m.

Trolley service from off-site parking areas along Eighth Street South at Sixth Avenue South and Eighth Avenue South will run every 15 minutes from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Spectator boats on Naples Bay must stay within the designated area, and safe boating rules will be enforced. Spectators are asked to avoid leaving any litter including water balloons in the bay to protect the environment for sea turtles, dolphins and manatees.

COURTESY PHOTOS The 1978 paddling team of Donna Phillips and Tom Elwood. For more information, visit www.greatdockcanoerace. com or call Caroline Martino at 594-8875.

The Ten Canoe-ments of the Great Dock Canoe Race

>>1. Thou shall use only a recreational canoe, maximum length 18 feet and minimum width 34 inches. Only two straight-shaft, single-blade paddles shall be allowed.

>>2. Thou shall submit a completed registration form with team's entry fee before 10:30 a.m. (Theme and VIP Tippy Canoe Sprint) or noon (Ambitious Amateurs, Next Generation and Practically Professionals) on race day.

>>3. Unless entered as a Next Generation team (12-17 years old with his/her parent/guardian), all racers shall be 18 years of age or older.

>>4. There shall be two team members per canoe.

>>5. Thou shall carry at least two (2) U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in each canoe.

>>6. The sponsors shall reserve the right to disqualify any team or crew member attempting to use non-recreational canoe equipment, for example racing, motorized or electric canoes or non-approved paddles.

>>7. Thou shall be proficient in basic swimming skills.

>>8. Canoe teams shall only be eligible to win in one racing category. >>9. There shall be no alcohol in canoes. >>10. Handicaps shall be awarded to the following racing teams: Male-female (two minutes) and female-female (four minutes).

These Canoe-ments apply to all those ready to test their strength, stamina, sportsmanship and (hopefully not) swimming skills in entering this most challenging of contests.

Themes we've loved

1991 "Nerds in Paradise" 1992 "Dynamic Duos" 1997 "Noah's Ark" 1998 "Hysterically Historical" 1999 "Outlaws" 2000 "Star Trek - The Next Generation" 2003 "The Good, the Bad and The Ugly" 2005 "Blazing Paddles" 2006 "A Day At The Circus" 2008 "Whatever Floats Your Boat"