ENGLEWOOD, FL – Water Tribes Everglades Challenge – Twelve boaters participating in the Water Tribe Everglades Challenge Saturday had to be rescued by the Coast Guard after high seas and wind dumped their small craft into the water.
Some were suffering from various degrees of hypothermia.
The Coast Guard stepped in and stopped the event that was supposed to travel from Tampa to Key Largo. Most participants were in small craft like canoes, kayaks and smaller one or two person sail boats.
About 135 boats had to stop at the first checkpoint which was in Englewood at a local marina.
Experienced boaters say they have seen worse. One boater, Joe Mullen, said he was having trouble.
“This hatch filled up with water with water,” said the experienced 83-year-old boater. “The water was just coming over the boat. I’ve crossed Tampa Bay with a lot worse days than today so I didn’t think it was that bad.”
NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral
The chop reached four feet in some spots. It wasn’t all bad for onlookers hoping to get a glance as they passed by. Instead, they managed to see nearly everyone up close.
Organizers said many people, who paid nearly $400 each, continued on their own and because of that there would be no refunds.
Check here to see video of the start of the Everglades Challenge