Last month we hosted the second annual Bellyak Race for a Cause, as part of the Mountain Sports Festival. Despite the liquid sunshine that appeared just as we paddled away, it was a great success! We had 13 participants from 7 states and ages from 8 to awesome.
![Bellyak Race for a cause start line](https://www.bellyak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/E502A057-FB1D-49C1-8D02-39B508FF0820-e1529516145201-1030x502.jpeg?x63692)
![Stand up bellyaking](https://www.bellyak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/6C2AD7AF-0CAB-4780-80E4-70ECF663B41E-1030x773.jpeg?x63692)
Only try this if you weigh less than 70 pounds.
The Participants
The Pollick family represented with their three kids, and we had two newlyweds on a bellyak honeymoon. William Blakely, adaptive paddler and Bellyak Ambassador, drove up with his mom, Tammy Lea, to compete for his second time. The kids race saw the hottest competition with a brand new Astral Otter as the grand prize. Bets were made, hands were shaken, and we lined up on at French Broad Outfitters – Hominy Creek to begin!
![Bellyak Race for a Cause start](https://www.bellyak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/0B13A715-A6B0-407F-9BDD-EDABA8D72392-e1529516446649-1030x410.jpeg?x63692)
A heavy downpour greeted the racers halfway through the course. Looks like more of a ‘Float for a Cause’ here.
Our Voice
Since it is a Race for a Cause, our Cause this year is Our Voice. Our Voice are a local non-profit in pursuit of a community free of sexual violence. Our VOICE serves all individuals in Buncombe County affected by sexual assault and abuse, through counseling, advocacy and education. We raised $114 to help support their cause.
![The Race for a cause finishers!](https://www.bellyak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/B41E0629-BCAC-43E8-931B-9B96D757551D-1030x773.jpeg?x63692)
Future bellyak Events
Join us next year and check out our Events Calendar or follow us on Facebook for more bellyak races, demos and fun.
![Happy faces on the bus home](https://www.bellyak.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/29F0DA6D-9185-4D3F-A16A-EFA9225A5A3A-1030x773.jpeg?x63692)