SUEZ TO HOST LAKE DEFOREST DAY ON JUNE 10

SUEZ will expand its annual Lake DeForest Day on Saturday, June 10 by adding a youth fishing derby, adding more time for kayaking and permitting residents to launch privately owned kayaks and canoes. More than 400 kayakers, canoers and fishing derby contestants are expected to participate at the reservoir in West Nyack, N.Y.

“Lake DeForest Day is one of the most unique community events in Rockland every year,” said Chris Graziano, the vice president and general manager of SUEZ New York operations. “This is a terrific way for our customers to experience Lake DeForest and recognize the beauty of one of the region’s most scenic lakes.”

Orange and Rockland Utilities is the sponsor of this year’s event.

Last year’s event was sold out, so time to kayak and canoe will be increased this year. Boaters can choose to kayak or canoe in three, 90-minute sessions beginning at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Boaters can rent single kayaks, double kayaks and canoes at $25 per paddler or launch their own kayak or canoe at $25 per vessel. All kayaks and canoes must be processed and washed at the registration area to protect the water supply.

Registration is pre-event only by visiting www.LakeDeForest.com. Only a limited number of boat rentals are available and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. The boats will be launched at the north end of the causeway and parking will be available at the New City Little League field on Strawtown Road.

All proceeds of the event will go to support the ongoing work of Hackensack Riverkeeper and its mission to protect, preserve and restore the Hackensack River. As one of the leading environmental groups in the northeast, Hackensack Riverkeeper is widely renowned for its advocacy, education and conservation programs that benefit the 45-mile long river, its watershed, people and wildlife. Through its partnership with SUEZ, Riverkeeper features paddling days on the Oradell, Lake Tappan and Lake DeForest reservoirs.

The event will feature the Supervisor’s Challenge, a race scheduled for 8:30 a.m., matching the five town supervisors in a 200-meter tandem kayak competition. The winner will receive the Supervisor’s Cup.

For the first time, SUEZ will partner with the Hudson Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America to stage a youth fishing derby. Boys and girls ages 5-13 will compete in four age divisions (5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-13) for awards for the largest fish caught. The entry fee is $10 and all proceeds from the event will go to the Boy Scouts. Registration is available online at www.hudsonvalleyscouting.org/SUEZ Fishing Derby. The derby will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with an awards ceremony set for 1:30 p.m.

“We are delighted to partner with SUEZ to create a fishing derby for local youngsters,” said David Horton, CEO of the Hudson Valley Council. “Lake DeForest Day is a wonderful annual event and the derby will allow boys and girls to experience the beauty and excitement of the lake.”

Lake DeForest, which is owned and operated by SUEZ, is a three-mile long reservoir located in the Town of Clarkstown and opened in 1956. Residents and non-residents can fish, hike or bird watch from April to November by purchasing a Watershed Recreation Program permit available online at www.suezwatershed.com.

  lake deforest day, Orange & Rockland, west nyack