(March 14, 2025) Merced, CA— Centurion Boats is proud to partner with Operation Get Out to bring positivity, adventure, and the spirit of the outdoors to kids in Merced County. Together, they’re donating 50 bikes to the Boys and Girls Club of Merced, giving children the chance to experience the freedom and excitement that comes with their very own set of wheels.
This donation, happening just one day before the Gran Fondo Hincapie in Merced, CA, isn’t just about bikes—it’s about getting kids outdoors. It’s about encouraging these kids to “get out,” explore, and embrace the healing power of movement and nature. Operation Get Out, a non-profit dedicated to connecting people with the restorative elements of water and the outdoors, shares this vision wholeheartedly. The children receiving the bikes will get the opportunity to lead the entire group of riders down the red-carpet corral along N Street in Merced.
Shane Stillman, VP of Product Development & Engineering at Centurion & Supreme Boats, and Steve Present, co-founder of Operation Get Out, chose the Boys and Girls Club of Merced County for this special donation because of the incredible work they do to support local children and families.
“At Centurion & Supreme, making lives better is at the core of what we do,” said Shane Stillman. “Being able to partner with Operation Get Out over the years has allowed us to make positive waves in the community. This partnership has allowed us to donate bikes that will empower kids to get out in the community.”
The Boys and Girls Club of Merced County serves children and their families in Merced, Planada, Gustine, and Los Banos, creating a safe and uplifting environment where kids can learn, grow, and stay active. Day to day, the Boys and Girls Club serves around 40 children who participate in a variety of enrichment activities.
“The kids love being here and this opportunity, getting to lead the race, is a great opportunity that shows them what this organization and other organizations can provide.” Nicole Escobar, Program Coordinator at Boys and Girls Club of Merced County shares. “Culturally speaking, the kids may not get to experience things like this due to their socioeconomic status but this opportunity gives them insight into the world and shows them opportunities that they can strive to accomplish.”
Days before the donation, Centurion & Supreme Boats employees and vendor partners came together at the Merced, CA factory to assemble all the bikes ensuring they are ready for race day. Factory employees, their families, Operation Get Out, Centurion & Supreme Boats dealer, BoardCo and SewLong Custom Covers spent hours energetically putting together bikes they knew would go to children who deserve them.
“We’ve seen the long-term value in using a bike as a tool kind of like Centurion with boats, it’s great to get people on the water, but if you look at a boat just like a bike, is a sneaky tool of what it does for people’s mental and emotional wellness.” Cindy Present, co-founder of Operation Get Out mentions. “We’ve seen that outcome especially with kids and families and how it connects people. The power of connection and the positive impact that has a mental emotional wellness, the power of what nature and water does and is a sneaky tool to get people out into nature and water and what science validates those affects to be.”
Watch the kids of the Boys and Girls Club of Merced County kick off the Gran Fondo Hincapie on Saturday, March 15 at 8:00am in downtown Merced! If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the race, it’s not too late to sign up! Head to the Merced Civic Center Friday, March 14 and Saturday March 15 to register.
Operation Get Out serves communities across the country. If you would like to be part of giving individuals the opportunity to be empowered by the healing powers of nature and water, head to operationgetout.org to donate.
About Operation Get Out: Operation Get Out (OGO) was founded to provide the experiences and resources people need to intentionally utilize nature and water for positive mental and physical wellness. The OGO Team is dedicated to utilizing exposure to water in an outdoor environment as medicine for first responders, military, women, youth, and surviving partners who are dealing with PTS, loss, trauma, depression and anxiety. To learn more visit https://www.operationgetout.org.
About We Wake Waves: As a Correct Craft company, we are called to the path of “Making Life Better” and we strive to exemplify that phrase at every opportunity. We want to wake waves of positive change in ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world with our boats on or near the water. It could be as simple and seemingly small as teaching your child to wake surf or showing your significant other how to trailer a boat or as big as hosting an event that honors our service men and women. What’s Your Wave? How are you using your Centurion on, near, or relating to water to wake waves of positive change? We wake waves. Do you? Share your wave with us on social media using the hashtag #WeWakeWaves and visit www.centurionboats.com/we-wake-waves.com to learn more.
About Centurion Boats: Creating the World’s best waves, wakes and ride since 1976, Centurion is a towed water sports boat manufacturer built on innovation and commitment to excellence. As a Correct Craft Company, we are charged with “Making Lives Better”. We embody this phrase with the boats we build along with the lives we live on and off the water. Centurion Boats is the perfect ride every time. To learn more about Centurion Boats, visit http://www.centurionboats.com.
About Correct Craft: Celebrating 100 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. Focused on “Making Life Better,” the Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, Yar-Craft, SeaArk, Parker, and Ingenity boat companies, Pleasurecraft Engine Group, Indmar Marine Engines, Velvet Drive Transmissions, Mach Connections, Merritt Precision, Osmosis, Watershed Innovation, and Aktion Parks. For more information, please visit www.correctcraft.com.