About the Kayak-a-thon

THIS YEAR IS OUR 16th Annual! 

We are so excited for this event, and we look forward to you joining us.  Our goal this year is to raise $60,000!  We can do it, but we need your help.  This year can be the best Kayak-a-thon yet.  All money raised goes to support the availability of no or low fee outdoor recreation programs for Veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities and their family and friends.  The funds raised from this event are essential to our ability to continue to provide our programs for free or low cost, so we can ensure that finances are not a barrier to participation.

Challenge yourself and/or your team to paddle either 12 miles from Sunderland to Northampton or 5 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 8, 2024
Please note:  This event does not have a rain date.  This event will happen rain or shine.  However, if there are conditions that would make the event unsafe (such as thunderstorms, heavy rain/high water, etc.) we will share an alternate plan with you by Friday, September 6 at 4pm.  This may include changing the times or location of the event (or, if conditions will be unsafe to run the event at all, an alternate indoor gathering).  Thank you for understanding!

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

Please note that these times are approximate and depend on the kayaking strength of the group.  We will paddle as a group, and we may arrive earlier or later than these times.

Registration:  Paddlers are encouraged to register early!  The registration fee includes an All Out Adventures Kayak-a-thon t-shirt, water and coffee, bagels, and snacks in Sunderland, snacks in Hatfield, support and instruction on the river, and the post Kayak-a-thon cookout and entertainment. We will provide a kayak, PFD, paddle, and adaptations to All Out Adventures program participants who need them on a first-come first-served basis.  All others may register to rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP for $35 to help us cover our costs for arranging and transporting them. 

To comply with our permits, there is a limit of 100 paddlers total for this event.

Please note:  Pre-registration is mandatory!  We are unable to accommodate any kayakers who have not registered by September 3rd.  We may let people in off the waitlist during the week of the event if spaces open up.

Transportation:  This is a one-way river trip from Sunderland or Hatfield to Northampton.  Participants can either make their own transportation arrangements or take advantage of our shuttle after the event.  Michael's Limousine will be shuttling participants who need transprotation back to their vehicles in Hatfield and Sunderland in a wheelchair accessibile mini-bus.  For those who bring their own canoe, kayak, or SUP:  AOA staff and volunteers will keep an eye on your gear in Northampton while you take the shuttle back to your vehicle.

Equipment:  All Out Adventures has a limited number of kayaks, PFDs, and paddles for program participants on a first-come, first-served basis.  People who are not program participants will need to supply their own kayak or may rent one from us. We will loan pfds and paddles to anyone who needs them. 

All participants in the event must WEAR a properly fitted life jacket at all times while on the water with us.

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 Cookout:  Please plan to join us at the end for a gathering with food catered by Servicenet's Rooster Cafe, aloing with music.  We encourage your friends and family also join us at the after party. They should plan to arrive around 3pm so that they can cheer you on as you finish the event.

The Distance:  The main event is the 5 mile stretch from Hatfield to Northampton.  For those who are seeking an extra challenge and who have some kayaking experience, we offer an early start in Sunderland for a 12-mile day.  We recommend that only those with significant kayaking experience begin their day in Sunderland.  If you are unsure, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is there a fundraising minimum?

All Out Adventures is committed to providing low or no cost outdoor recreation programming to people of all abilities.  We operate about 200 programs each year for just a nominal cost to participants.  In order to continue to offer our programs for no or low cost, we must raise approximately $200,000 through different sources each year.  The Kayak-a-thon is our signature fundraising event, and the $150/person minimum ensures the continued success of the event and the viability of our organization.

How do I go about fundraising?

Our most successful fundraisers ask several people for a little bit of money.  If you are kayaking 12 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 with $12.50 to support your participation in the event.  Alternatively, you can approach a few people for more money.  It would only take 5 people to each sponsor you for $30.  Still nervous?  Give us a call for advice, tips, and encouragement!  Or, join up with a team so you can share the fundraising responsibilities.  We're happy to help you brainstorn and to provide you with materials to help your efforts!

Which distance should I pick?

12 miles is a long, but manageable distance.  We strongly recommend that first-timers or those who are unsure of the best distance either choose the 5-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 12-mile option.  Though we stop in Hatfield mid-way, those who choose the 12-mile option should be prepared to paddle the entire distance.  We are not able to assist paddlers in ending the event early except for emergencies.  

How long will the event last?

We expect to arrive in Northampton around 4:00pm.  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.  We typically wrap up the event around 5:30pm.  The provided shuttle (a wheelchair accessible minibus) will be picking up passengers at 5:15pm.

What else should I know?

Imagine being on the water with up to 100 other kayakers, SUPers, and canoests!  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 Veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities and their family and friends.