About

Racing with History

On Sunday, June 4th 2023, the Rotary Club of Melbourne Beach will host the 37th Annual Rotary Pineapple Man™.  You could play a significant role in making this historic race a continued success.

Thirty-seven years ago members of the Melbourne Beach Rotary put together the first sprint triathlon on the Space Coast of Florida. This event helped put Central Florida on the triathlon map. What began as an innovative and fun idea for charitable fundraising has become a tradition in the oldest beachside town in Brevard County. Hundreds of endurance athletes from all parts of the United States look forward to racing the scenic courses each year. The event has consistently sold out over the last several years and new race events including a Duathalon have been added to the scenic courses in the Rotary Pineapple Man™ event as well.

Over three decades, the Rotary Pineapple Man™ has allowed the Rotary Club of Melbourne Beach to make meaningful contributions to community and humanitarian projects at the local, national and international levels. Rotarians tend to be business-oriented people who understand how important it is to be careful when spending charitable funds. We like to fund projects with definable goals and specific results, and use sponsorships to cover fundraising event expenses.

One of many international projects – Rotary Polio Plus – was started in 1988 with the goal of eradicating polio from the face of the Earth. The good news is that the effort is close to completion. The world is very close to being polio-free with just three countries remaining endemic. Race proceeds also allow our Rotary club to contribute significantly to national programs and our local community by supporting various initiatives that make a difference such as:

Genesis House • Promise in Brevard • The Leukemia-Lymphoma Society • Juvenile Diabetes Research
St Stephens Way • The South Brevard Sharing Center
Gemini Elementary School •  Life Safety Equipment Purchases • And More…