About the Kayak-a-thon

Sunday, September 12 will be our 4th annual!  Our first three were a fantastic success, raising a combined $23,000 and involving over 100 people.   All money raised goes to support the availability of no or low fee outdoor recreation programs for people with disabilities and their family and friends.

This year our goal is to raise $12,000!  We need your help. 

Challenge yourself and your team to paddle either 13 miles from Sunderland to Northampton or 6 miles from Hatfield to Northampton on the beautiful Connecticut River.  Gather pledges in honor of your efforts to help us keep outdoor recreation accessible to people of all abilities.

Details

Date:  Sunday, September 12, 2010
Rain Date:  Sunday, September 19, 2010

Time: We will launch our kayaks in Sunderland at 10:00am.  We expect to arrive in Hatfield around 12:30pm, depart at 12:45pm and arrive in Northampton around 3:15pm.

Registration:  Paddlers are encouraged to register early!  The registration fee includes an All Out Adventures Kayak-a-thon t-shirt, the use of a kayak, paddle and pfd (if needed), support and instruction on the river, and the post Kayak-a-thon party.  Paddlers may register as individuals or as part of a team.  Team captains will be the liason between All Out Adventures and team members. 

Transportation:  This is a one-way river trip from Sunderland or Hatfield to Northampton.  Participants should either make their own shuttle arrangements or plan to meet the group in Northampton the morning of the event to arrange carpools.

Weather:  We will re-schedule if there is severe weather (lightning, heavy rain, high winds) that can create unsafe conditions on the river.  Please keep the rain date open; we used it the past 2 years!

Equipment:  All Out Adventures has a limited number of kayaks, PFDs, and paddles.  We will supply the equipment we have on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you will need to use an All Out Adventures kayak, please call us to reserve your kayak once you have reached the fundraising minimum ($150 per kayak or $450 per 4-person team).
Required Equipment for all:  kayak, properly fitted PFD (life jacket), paddle, snacks, lunch, water

Support:  All Out Adventures staff and volunteers will provide paddling instruction and support on the trip.  You should have some experience paddling a kayak and feel confident in your ability to paddle the full distance for which you have registered.

Post Kayak-a-thon Party:  Please plan to join us at the end for a gathering with food, beverages, and treats.

Fundraising Prizes:  Enjoy All Out Adventures swag! 

If you raise:

$650:  Fleece vest with All Out Adventures logo

$500:  Baseball hat with All Out Adventures logo

Top fundraising Team:  Recognition with special prize for each member

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a fundraising minimum?

All Out Adventures is committed to providing low or no cost outdoor recration programming to people of all abilities.  We operate about 140 programs each year that cost no more than $5.  In order to continue to offer our programs for no or low cost, we must raise approximately $65,000 through different sources this year.  The Kayak-a-thon is our signature fundraising event, and the $150/boat or $450/4-person team minimum ensures the continued success of the event and the viability of our organization.

This year we are requesting that people call us to reserve a kayak after they have met their fundraising minimum.  This is to help us plan for how many kayaks to bring to the event because we have a limited number of kayaks available and limited space on our trailer.  We want to ensure the kayaks are available for those who can participate while meeting the fundraising minimum.

How do I go about fundraising?

Our most successful fundraisers ask several people for a little bit of money.  If you are kayaking 13 miles, you only need to ask 12 people to sponsor you for $1/mile!  Co-workers, family, and friends would all be likely to part wtih $13 to support your participation in the event.  Alternatively, you can approach a few people for more money.  It would only take 3 people to each sponsor you for $50.  Still nervous?  Give us a call for advice, tips, and encouragement!  Or, join up with a team so you can share the fundraising responsibilities.

Which distance should I pick?

13 miles is a long, but manageable distance.  Those who have little kayaking experience and are unsure of their stamina should either choose the 6-mile option or opt to go in a tandem kayak with a more experienced kayaker.  Those who have good physical and mental stamina may choose to challenge themselves with the 13-mile option.  Though we stop in Hatfield mid-way, those who choose the 13-mile option should be prepared to paddle the entire distance.  We are not prepared to assist paddlers in ending the event early early except for emergencies. 

How long will the event last?

We expect to arrive in Northampton around 3:15pm.  However, many factors - including the kayaking strength of the group and the strength of the river current - impact our timing.  You will want to allow plenty of time in your day's schedule for us to arrive in Northampton later than that.

What else should I know?

Imagine being on the water with 30 - 40 other kayaks!  It's an amazing feeling, and a wonderful, fun, supportive event in which to participate.  We paddle as a group toward one goal:  raising the funding necessary to keep low or no cost outdoor recreation programming accessible to people with disabilities and their family and friends.