Wade Longman of Utah, whose extended family has resided on South Whidbey for over 100 years, won a kayak in a drawing as part of a fundraiser by Island Beach Access last last month.

Longman’s cousin, Anton Kleparek, picked up the kayak. Longman and Kleparek’s family holds an annual family reunion on their waterfront property in Holmes Harbor. When Kleparek made his donation to Island Beach Access, he stated, “Our family needs this kayak and I will be awarded the kayak.” While technically it was his cousin who won, it’s being counted as a family win.

Island Beach Access is a volunteer organization on Whidbey Island which identifies, researches, maps, signs and preserves public access for citizens and visitors to public shorelines of Island County. Anyone interested in preserving public beach access locations can inquire and donate on their website at www.islandbeachaccess.org.