This Saturday, October 1, Aqua Mania Adventures will be hosting the 7th annual Pink Sunset Sail, to support local foundations to raise breast cancer awareness. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Elektralyets and Positive foundations in their efforts to raise awareness with regard to breast cancer and motivate women and men to get checked.
The Out N About sat down with organiser Michele Korteweg, owner of project and event company Shortcut 2 Success, to hear all about this wonderful event.
The Pink Mixer kicks off a lively evening and looks forward to welcoming all guests to the event, which includes welcome drinks and hors d’oeuvres by Captain D’s, Avantika, ILTT and La Patrona. The large sailing catamarans, Tango and Lambada, owned by Aqua Mania Adventures, will take guests on a 90-minute coastal sail into the sunset. During the sail, a raffle will take place to raise additional funds for the cause.
According to Michele, this event is a social way to discuss such an important topic: “Especially in the Caribbean, there is a stigma speaking about personal medical issues, so the Pink Sunset Sail offers a fun and comfortable environment to discuss breast cancer.”
The first Pink Sunset Sail was organised in 2015. The staff working at Aqua Mania Adventures were already wearing pink in October, but decided they wanted to do more. As Marketing Director at Aqua Mania Adventures at the time, Michele suggested a cruise dedicated to breast cancer, and the Pink Sunset Sail was born.
“The goal”, she says, “is to raise awareness for breast cancer.” The proceeds of the raffle tickets and part of the revenue from the cruise will be donated to the organizations that make testing accessible and free for the public, as early detection saves lives. Last year’s event raised $4,000 for the Elektralyets and Positive foundations. The Pink Sunset Sail raffle tickets are available for purchase now, at the Mixer and on board the vessels during the sunset sail. Book your seat now for the Pink Sunset Sail as tickets are selling fast.
During the month of October, the Positive Foundation, along with its partners including the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), the medical practitioners on St. Maarten, the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine, Collective Prevention Services (CPS), the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA and sponsors, will provide free screening opportunities and more:100 free mammograms for uninsured persons, free breast self-examination workshops, in-person presentations on breast cancer awareness and free educational literature at the various events.
“But we also want people to have a great time,” says Michele. “This is why the cruise is a full experience with music, drinks, snacks, a beautiful coastal sail, and great prizes. The sail is not just about Breast Cancer Awareness, but also a celebration for those who have survived the disease through early detection, and in remembrance of those who have been lost to the illness.”
The raffle is a highlight of the Pink Sunset Sail. Guests have a chance to win spectacular prizes, such as weekend stays at the Simpson Bay Resort, Belair Beach Hotel, Divi Little Bay, Atrium, L’Esplanade and Mary’s Boon; vouchers for Pineapple Pete’s, Captain D’s, Dinghy Dock, Buccaneer Beach Bar, ZeeBest Bakeshop, Domino’s Pizza, Napa, Amsterdam Cheese & Liquor Store, Zhaveri Jewelers, Nectar, Shipwreck Shops, Balls&Wine, Coffee Lounge, Sint Maarten Yacht Club, Ty’s Gift Store, Ballerina Jewelers, Rhino Riders, Boomerang and The Scuba Shop, with many others still to be confirmed.
New this year is the prize for the best dressed guest. Michele encourages everyone to have fun with pink and all things sparkly and glamourous. Guests receive a pink T-shirt when they buy a sunset sail ticket and will have enough time to bling it out and find the best pink accessories. The person who “pops” will win a free ticket for next year’s cruise and a surprise gift.
“We are proud to be able to continue this successful event for the seventh year – and we are relentless in raising thousands of dollars for such an important cause. I am proud to have been involved in several of the Pink Sunset Sail events, as founder, participant, MC and now as organiser through my own company,” Michele concludes.
Tickets are on for sale at US $50 per person, which includes the Pink Mixer Event, a unique Pink T-shirt, an open bar, snacks and a wonderful sail along St. Maarten’s golden coastline, sightseeing, sipping cocktails and watching the green flash. If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, please do so online at www.stmaarten-activities.com, call +1 (721) 544-2640 / 544-2631 or any of the Aqua Mania Adventures locations at the Simpson Bay Resort, Divi Little Bay and Royal Palm.
