Be Kind to Your Yacker Week

From Openwaterpedia

noun - Be Kind To Your Yacker Week (or Yacker Week) is an unofficial secular week-long period celebrated from 1-7 April that is observed by the global open water swimming community. The period, first proposed by Phil White of NEKOWSA (Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association), is meant to recognize, celebrate and honor individuals who support open water swimmers including kayakers, paddlers, escort pilots, coaches and support crew. It is typically celebrated during April.

Purpose

Be Kind To Your Yacker Week is a celebration and acknowledgement of all escorts, kayakers (Yacker in American-English slang), paddlers, and other supporters and volunteers for marathon swimmers, triathletes, and open water swimmers who give reassurances, provide navigational IQ tips, and offer hydration during practices and races. Be Kind To Your Yacker Week was first proposed by Phil White of Derby, Vermont and promoted by the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association in 2009.

History

The idea began with Phil White, founder of NEKOWSA. White served as the catalyst of numerous open water swimming events and initiatives in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.

NEKOWSA Proclamation

The Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association membership originally proclaimed the first Be Kind To Your Yacker during the week of 18 March 2010 with the following proclamation:

Be Nice To Your Yacker Week

They guide us. They feed us. They hydrate us during endless hours of open water swimming. They comfort us and watch over us, at the ready at all times. They free us to explore the great waters of our planet and travel great distances. Without them we are nothing, damned to lap swimming without end. With them, we are liberated – freed to realize our true nature and return to our primordial state as the water creatures that we are and were meant to be.

Humble, they are. Dedicated to our support and committed to our passion, they serve – with loyalty and bravery. We can never appreciate them enough for what they do. And so, in honor and appreciation for their service to swimmers everywhere, we dedicate the week of Monday, April 12th through Sunday, April 18th, 2010 as Be Nice to Your Yacker Week.

DATED at Newport, Vermont this 31st day of March, 2010 by The Membership of the Northeast Kingdom Open Water Swimming Association.

Synonym

Yacker Week, Yacker Month

External links

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