The first COINS USA Construction Industry Challenge was a huge success. Held on Saturday, September 27, 2008, this charitable challenge event was a marathon war canoe race on Lake George, covering nearly 20 miles on the lake from Hague to Bolton Landing.

An expected $30,000 was raised for Capital District Habitat for Humanity with over $23,000 collected so far. The ultimate total may be even higher, since teams have until the end of November to complete their fundraising.

Thanks go out to all who helped make a success of the first COINS challenge event held in the United States. Six teams participated:

• CCC Group of San Antonio, TX
• Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering, P.C. of NY
• LCS&Z LLP of NY
• Habitat for Humanity and Cure International
• COINS UK office
• COINS USA office

The canoes launched at 8:45, after a safety briefing and explanation of the race rules. The teams practiced in the unfamiliar war canoes for a few minutes, and the race proper began at 9:00 AM. Although the forecast in the Adirondacks was for heavy rain associated with Hurricane Kyle, the weather was kind to the paddlers and Lake George stayed exceptionally calm all morning.

First over the finish line was the team from the COINS UK office, with a time of 3 hours and 42 minutes. The COINS USA and CCC Group teams placed second and third, landing within a few moments of each other and scrambling over the finish line on each others heels. The last team crossed the finish line at 1:01 PM – just over 4 hours from starting.

Due to ideal lake and weather conditions all six teams completed the race without stopping, in well under the expected time. COINS might need to make next year’s challenge a little harder!

Start getting ready for the 2009 event!

Since 2004, COINS and its sister companies have raised nearly $4 million in charitable challenge events. Our challenges not only help the needy, they are fantastic team building events for the participating companies. Please contact Cathy Terwilliger or register online if you are interested in joining us for the COINS 3 Peaks Challenge, being held September 19-20, 2009.