Ryan Levinson - Challenged Athlete & Endurance PWC Racer

Ryan Levinson-A challenged Athletes Story

AWA H2O Responder Member will be competing at this year's 2009 LB2CAT under the Challenged Athlete Category



When people first meet Ryan Levinson they often do not realize he is a challenged athlete. He is not missing a limb, using a wheelchair, or racing with a guide to help him see. Instead, this world-class triathlete is the first person in history to compete at a championship level despite being ravaged by FSHMD (Muscular Dystrophy), a progressive degenerative muscle wasting disease.

Ryan was diagnosed with MD in 1996 when he noticed some of his muscles rapidly disappearing. Since then, his disease has progressed to the point where he can now no longer hold his arms above his head, do a sit-up, pull-up, or push-up. He has lost major muscles in his chest, arms, back, abdominals, and legs. As his disease progresses, he may become too weak to even close his eyes or move his lips into a smile.

There is no treatment and no cure. No matter how hard Ryan trains he will continue to loose strength and ability. Yet rather than give up, Ryan continues to race with passion and he thrives on inspiring other people to do the same. His motto says it best, “You can’t always choose what happens to you, but you can choose what you do about it.”

This year alone Ryan helped develop and implement the new physically challenged divisions for off-road triathlons. He is the current chair of USA Triathlon’s Physically Challenged Rules and Logistics Subcommittee and serves as the XTERRA Physically Challenged “Ambassador.” He acts as a spokesperson for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and even makes his living as the first disabled Emergency Medical Technician to run 911 emergency calls with the San Diego Fire Department.

Over the past two years, Ryan has competed in more than 20 triathlons and bike races with 15 podium finishes. He was the 2006 XTERRA USA Champion and has twice placed 2nd at the World Championships. All the while he has lost nearly 15 pounds of muscle due to his degenerative disease. Even still, Ryan remains competitive to test himself, have fun, and demonstrate to the world that even if you have a disability that is not immediately obvious, there is a place for you in triathlon.

Ryan plans to continue racing and promoting triathlon while also helping spearhead CAF’s new efforts to increase opportunities for challenged athletes in surfing and other action sports.

Watch his 2007 Paul Mitchell Spirit Award Winner Fox Sports piece here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB4ipo5tDA0

Visit Ryan's Homepage
www.RyanLevinson.com

LB2CAT 2009 offers new Challenged Athlete and Military Racing Divisions

For Immediate Release:


RPM Racing Enterprises has created 2 new Racer Categories for the 2009 LB2CAT!



RPM Racing Enterprises makes history with the induction of 2 new racing categories for the PWC endurance competition format! Introducing the Inaugural New 2009 LB2CAT Divisions:

1. Challenged Athlete
2. Military

The LB2CAT (Long Beach to Catalina and Back) PWC Offshore Endurance race has been the crown jewel of endurance racing for over 2 decades. Endurance racing is growing the Personal Watercraft competition with great enthusiasm of racer support in 2009, with 4 premiere events.

The LB2CAT is approximately 60 miles of Wide Open Throttle (WOT) from the California mainland at the starting line in Long Beach, out across the Channel to the beautiful island of Catalina off of Avalon and back to the finish line in front of the historic Queen Mary Cruise ship anchorage. Join us at the Queensway Launch on Sundday, July 12th, 2009 at 7:00am. All registered competitors will be required to abide by the terms and conditions of the race requirements.

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CHALLENGED ATHLETE DIVISION - Open Class, 3 seater

Racing Statement from the words of competitor Ryan Levinson: "Raising awareness for competitive opportunities for challenged athletes, camaraderie and inspiration, whereas positive change comes from challenges". Inspired words from someone who walks that walk every day and will be competing in this years LB2CAT.

This is a unisex division open to those 16 years of age or older and for those who are physically capable of handling a Personal Watercraft at sustained speeds and distances. A courtesy chase boat will follow the last place rider, with a rescue board in case of assistance needed.

Registration Fee: $150.00USD


MILITARY DIVISION - Open Class, 3 seater
Racing Statement: 'On this day we shall stand and race united and remember those brave servicemen and women who have given all. They are now ahead of us. Out on point or patrol. They are not forgotten" Words spoken by RXTUSMC competing on Boat #71.

Open to all divisions of military personnel active or retired who have 'proof of Military ID'. This is a unisex division. (Open Class to the following United States: Navy, Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Coast Guard). Athletes will run their 'colors' on their race boat, a sticker commemorating their branch of service.

Registration Fee: $150.00 USD

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Both Divisions will have trophy awards from 1st through 3rd place, and additional donated industry prizes.

APBA Competition license required: http://www.apbaracing.com/membership.html

You will need a confirmed Race # to run on your vessel. please follow the links for advice and suggestions.

http://pwcoffshore.com/LB2CAT_Race_Page.html LB2CAT Information Page

http://pwcoffshore.com/Home_Page.html Additional Information


SCSC/RPM RACING ENTERPRISES
1803 Morgan Lane
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Phone (310) 318-4012
Fax (310) 372-7427