Kayak for a Cause

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kayak for a Cause is a non-profit kayaking fundraiser that takes place annually on Long Island Sound on the eastern coast of the United States. A group of several-hundred kayakers cross the body of water and raise money for local and national charities.

Kayak for a Cause

1 History
2 Founders
- 2.1 Kayak for a Cause Founders:
- 2.2 Kayak for a Cause Co-Founders:
3 External links

[edit] History

Kayak for a Cause was started by Scott Carlin and Miles Spencer in Rowayton, Connecticut, the pair were bet $50 to cross Long Island Sound in kayaks. They made it across (and back) and have yet to collect the $50 bet. Bragging about their accomplishment at a local bar, many of the patrons agreed that they would bet hundreds of dollars to see them do it again. They decided to decline the bets, but take the money and donate it to charity.

Now going into its sixth year, Kayak for a Cause has raised more than half a million dollars for charity. The event has taken on sponsors such as GQ, Nautica, and Land Rover with last year's Kayak for a Cause having more than 200 people participating in the event. The last two years have included an after-party on Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut featuring a concert by big-name artists and a silent auction.

The current route for the crossing is 12.5 miles long and leaves from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk, Connecticut and lands in Crab Meadow Park in Northport, New York. Depending on factors such as tides, current, and wind, the route can take an average paddler between two and four hours to complete the journey.

To participate in the event, the organization requests that paddlers be "comfortable in very open waters," and in reasonably good shape. All first-time participants are required to attend a kayak safety course a few weeks before the launch.

The next Kayak for a Cause event will take place on July 29, 2006.