2nd Annual Rip Current Awareness Day

When: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 - Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Where: Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station

In September 2006, 32 year old Kristina (Eena) Koles lost her life as a result of a rip current in Rodanthe, NC. To continue her memory and help prevent this tragedy from happening again, the family created The Eena Project to educate others on beach and ocean safety.

Along with the partnership of The Cape Hatteras National Park Service, this free family event will provide many fun activities to educate people of all ages on the importance of beach/ocean safety.

The day will include workshops for on rip currents, rescues, body/boogie board safety, safety demos, and kite making. Kids will learn about safety while making kites or touring a boat from the Coast Guard. In addition to the workshops, there will be several raffles throughout the day in which visitors can win prize packages that include a free vacation, professional family photo, tickets to the aquarium, and coupons to area businesses. Each raffle ticket is a $1 donation for The Eena Project and helps the non-profit organization to continue providing lifesaving educational material to visitors of the Outer Banks. Raffle tickets can be purchased the day of the event or at various businesses in Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills and Avon. Also beach bags will be available for a $1 donation and are filled with safety items and literature as well as coupons from local businesses. Snacks and refreshments will be available.

Participants of this year's event includes Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station, The National Park Service, The Coast Guard, Kitty Hawk Sports, Elan Vacations, Outer Beaches Realty, Village Realty, Seaside Vacations, Days Inn Oceanfront, North Carolina Aquarium, and Kitty Hawk Kites. Anyone interested in being a sponsor or providing items for raffles or bags can contact Michelle Koles at michelle@eenaproject.com.

Website: www.eenaproject.com