The Great Mississippi River Race for
Rett Syndrome, May 2001


Flagship Double Helix


Ship of Dreams

The Double Helix was built in honor of Amanda Eid and all of those who have Rett syndrome, to serve as a the flagship for the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001. The Double Helix was paddled by Clark Eid ( Amanda Eid's father, and chairman of this charity event) and Kurt Zimmermann during the race. The Double Helix is in the process of being publicly placed at the world-class Morial Convention Center in New Orleans so that we can continue to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome to the general public. Final preparations are being made.


Bow of the Double Helix


Clark Amanda Eid. Amanda is 2 in this picture.


Signatures of Dr. James Watson and Dr. Francis Crick


Navigation console


Compass/center


Kurt Zimmermann and Clark Eid paddle the Double Helix at the start of the Great Race


Clark Eid, Noah Eid, Mary Potter (standing), Amanda Ei

Technical Facts:

Length: 25 1/2 feet, Beam: 24 feet, Maximum Height: 18 inches, Weight: 110 pounds

Composition: More than 100 different types of wood, fiber glass, carbon fiber, epoxy, and titanium
Hull Design: Nick Schade, Guillemot Kayaks
Rose Vine/DNA Design: Clark Eid, can be decoded to spell "Amanda's Dreamkeeper". Clark's daughter, Amanda, has Rett syndrome."
Construction: Primarily Clark Eid, assistance from Nick Schade, Kurt Zimmermann, and Rowland Fricke

Rose Vine/Double Helix Design
Amanda's Dreamkeeper

The rose vine that wraps completely around the Double Helix was designed by Clark Eid to mirror a segment of double-stranded DNA that codes for a peptide that spells "Amanda's Dreamkeeper", in honor of his daughter, Amanda, who suffers from Rett syndrome. This mural was created by using over 2,000 pieces of 63 different wood veneers in a technique known as marquetry. Click here to read how to decode the rose vine. Click here to read how to "decode" the rose vine to spell "Amanda's Dreamkeeper"!.

Special Additions

  • Signatures from Dr. James D. Watson and Dr. Francis Crick, who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize with Maurice Wilkins for discovering the structure of DNA, the double helix.
  • Exotic woods in the ornate compass ring, rudder catch and hatches were left over from the reconstruction of the Amistad, another ship standing for liberation.
  • A navigation console was constructed with woods from the Calypso, echoing her brave spirit to venture into the unknown.
  • A white rose inlay on the console reflects the TurboSails of the technologically advanced Alcyone.

Race Event

Race Event: The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001
Course: 2348 miles of the Mississippi River
Number of Teams: Five
Teams: Team Kruger (1st), Team Double Helix (2nd), Team Alaska (3rd), Team Amazons of the Mississippi and Team Rebels
Format of Race: Nonstop from beginning to end (Longest Canoe/Kayak Race in History)

Team Double Helix

Team Name: Double Helix
Paddlers: Clark Eid and Kurt Zimmermann
Road Crew
: Kent Spading (Co-Captain) and Tony Swenson (Co-Captain); Bill Evans, Johann Fembek, Andrew Gribble, Eric Marshall, Edith Paule, Jeff Romine, William Schmitz

This Charity Event

Clark Eid and his wife, Mary Potter, organized this charity event to raise public awareness of Rett Syndrome, a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder affecting their daughter Amanda. This event and flagship are the embodiments of determination, echoing the marathon of scientfic research needed to reach a better tomorrow. The clock is ticking for those who suffer from Rett Syndrome! Recent scientific breakthroughs have given new hope to those who suffer from Rett syndrome - if you would like to help, please donate to research for Rett Syndrome to your favorite group or charity and/or give generously to the world's largest private funder of biomedical research for Rett syndrome - the Rett Syndrome Research Foundation (website http://www.rsrf.org)

Press Releases for the Double Helix

Two Rose Vines
A-M-A-N-D-A-S-D-R-E-A-M-K-E-E-P-E-R

Dr. James D. Watson Signs the Double Helix

Where is the Double Helix Today?

The Double Helix is in the process of being publicly placed at the world-class Morial Convention Center in New Orleans so that we can continue to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome to the general public. Final preparations are being made.

The Double Helix is donated to the convention center by the friends and family of Amanda Eid (daughter of Mary Potter and Clark Eid) with thanks and gratitiude to all who participated and helped with this adventure.

Special thanks to our top donor, Bristol-Myers Squibb, our top research donor, for donating $20,000 to Rett Syndrome research for this event.

Contributors to the Double Helix

Below is a listing of our good friends who helped make a dream into a reality. The order isn't important since each and every one of you were essential.

  • BGF Industries, Inc.
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
  • Constantine's
  • The Cousteau Society
  • Chesapeake Light Craft
  • Clark Eid and Family
  • Dr. Francis Crick
  • Roland Fricke
  • Gougeon Brothers, Inc.
  • Guillemot Kayaks and Nick Schade
  • Harris Enterprise Corp.
  • Mystic Seaport
  • The Newfound Woodworks, Inc.
  • Ritchie Navigation
  • Shearwater Boats
  • Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals, Inc.
  • Dr. James Watson
  • Kurt Zimmermann

Special thanks to our top donor, Bristol-Myers Squibb, our top research donor, for donating $20,000 to Rett Syndrome research for this event.

Click here to read more on sponsors and contributors.

Legal Copyright: The Great Mississippi River Race For Rett Syndrome, 2001. All Rights Reserved
Catch Another Great! Adventure at The Mississippi River Challenge for Rett Syndrome and Leukodystrohpy, May 2003!