Expectations are high as two Olympian women kayakers, Kathy Colin and Dru van Hengel, travel to Long Island from the west coast, to shatter the record for the "Memory Paddle Challenge." For the sixth year the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation (LIAF) will be hosting this grueling 300-mile circumnavigation of Long Island, with kayakers paddling in a double sea kayak. The record is currently held by champion kayakers Joe Glickman and Nells Akerland, paddling 46 hours and 56 minutes over the course of seven days, in 2004.

Kathy Colin lives in San Diego, CA, she has been a member of two Olympic teams; a member of two U.S. Pan American Games teams, and a member of six U.S. World Championship teams. She has been featured in sports magazines and was chosen as the U.S. Olympic Committee Athlete of the Year in 1998.

Dru van Hengel, from Santa Barbara, CA, paddled on the Olympic team in Atlanta; has been on the U.S. National team, has medalled in several National Championships; is a nine time winner of the Molokai to Oahu Na Wahine O Ke Kai race in Hawaii; and a 12 time winner of the Newport to Catalina race in California.

Dru and Kathy answered the call put out by LIAF to kayakers across the country. The intensity and passion that they used to drive them to the top of the Olympic circuit will now be used to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and support the programs and services of LIAF.

The journey begins Aug. 10 with a launch ceremony at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club in Port Washington and finishes on Aug. 16, with a ceremony, also at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club.

Founded in 1988, LIAF hosts the area's largest resource and referral center and offers a wide range of cutting edge educational and social services, including in-home respite care, "Coping and Caring" conferences, and comprehensive Centers for Memory Disorders at area medical facilities. www.liaf.org