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Now pada The weather didn’t really cooperate, but dozens of enthusiastic competitors lined up along Port Perry’s lakefront September 15 for the first annual Paddle of the Businesses fundraising event. Organized by Port Perry SUP, a stand-up paddle- board business based in Scugog, the contest invited business people to compete in a relay race event at the lakefront with the winning team eligible to hand over the funds raised to the charity of their choice. s Eight teams, each consisting of six members, Chamber of Commerce executive director Kenna Kozak jumps took part in the event. The Paula R. McMurtry team from the board at the end of her leg of the race. emerged victorious after paddling the course in a time of 27 minutes, 7 seconds. Coming in second was a team from Durham Tourism with a time of 27:20 and in third, Gus Brown Motors at 28:20. Organizer Jenn Sunnerton told Focus on Scugog that although the final tally was a little short, Port Perry SUP kicked in enough funds to bring the total fun- draising to $2,000. The McMurtry team chose Community Living as the charity they wished the money to go to in sup- port of their work. Jenn says that planning is already underway for a larger event next year. They hope to sponsor a Citizen's Relay next summer as well as Paddle of the Businesses during the same weekend. “We've asked each of this year’s The winning team of Paula McMurtry Law Office was all smiles after winning the teams to challenge another business so _inaugural Paddle of the Businesses. Team members are, from left, Paul McMurtry, we can try to double our fundraising Christina Hall, Tracy Souch, Kelly McCurrach, Amy Toon and Melena Coe. efforts in 2015,” Jenn said. Photo by MaryAnn Fleming Jenn Sunnerton and Syd Trefiak give instructions to racers. Four team competitor take off from shore on their leg of the competition. 44 FOCUS - OCTOBER 2014