Watercraft Superstore Sponsors Grand Tour to Benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind

August 11, 2017 marked the first day of the 20th anniversary and the Grand Finale of the Grand Tour. The Grand Tour is a 350-miles-in-three-days PWC ride from Mackinaw City, Michigan to Holland, Michigan. Event participants are responsible for raising a minimum donation of $500 and must provide their own travel, hotel, and incidental costs during the race. This year's charity of choice was Leader Dogs for The Blind, an organization that empowers people who are blind, visually impaired or Deaf-Blind with skills for a lifetime of independent travel, opening doors that may seem to have closed with the loss of sight. Karen Kinsella, multi-year rider at the Grand Tour, explains why she participates in the event each year:

I did my first Grand Tour, admittedly, for the bragging rights.  Then I met Puppy Raisers and Leader Dog Clients when they visited at our meal stops, and I was hooked on the cause.  It would have been easy to just donate money.  I kept coming back because of the Grand Tour people--the riders and land support crew who are like family, and who make all the sore muscles worthwhile.

Carrie and Fred Sbinden heading towards the Mighty Mac bridge

Watercraft Superstore donated three $50 gift cards to the event. Stephanie Mosny, WCSS General Manager, commented about the donation, "We enjoy sponsoring the Grand Tour each year. It's events like these that keep the jet ski industry alive. We also love that it's for a great cause!" The Grand Tour raised $18,500 for Leader Dogs for the Blind. To learn more about the organization, visit www.leaderdog.org.

Day 2, a group at dawn heading out of Clinch Marina in Traverse City

About Watercraft Superstore: Watercraft Superstore is the largest online supplier of personal watercraft parts, apparel, and lifestyle accessories in the world. Watercraft Superstore's annual magalogue is distributed to over 100,000 subscribers. The company is located in Clearwater, Florida. For more information, visit www.watercraftsuperstore.net.