Paddle with Pride

Donations to date: $1125 out of $1000!
Double Kayak

We did it! Read my trip report and reflections on the event. Take a look at my pictures from June 12th too!

My name is Meredith. I am going to be participating in the Paddle with Pride event with my friend C., who lives in New York City. C. is the one who first introduced me to paddling back in September 2001 - in fact, I took my first class in Manhattan just days before the terrorist attacks. I enjoy kayaking because I like being so close to the water - it's a unique perspective unlike any other. I really enjoy the close contact with nature and the feeling of being a small part of a larger entity. Although I do not have much experience with anything but flatwater kayaking (I'm pretty much just a recreational kayaker so far), my friend C. is skilled in whitewater, surfing, and rescues. He participates in events with Manhattan Kayak Company (a co-producer of Paddle with Pride) and has taken the Week of Rivers trip with Costa Rica Rios twice.

The Paddle with Pride event is for single kayakers, two kayakers in a boat together, and rafters in groups of eight and ten. The trip is either twenty-four or twelve miles, depending on whether the paddler puts in at the Tappan Zee bridge or joins the ride at Englewood. The paddlers will travel along New York's Hudson River, and will complete the event at Pier 63 in Chelsea, where MKC is based. The event is going to take place on June 12, 2004, and will start in the morning. The estimated length of the trip is four or five hours.

The purpose of Paddle with Pride is to raise money for the LGBT Community Center, located at 208 West 13th Street in Manhattan. The center sponsors a wide variety of events, ranging from 12-step meetings to workshops on everything from career strategies to astrology. Special programs at the center include Youth Enrichment Services, the Gender Identity Project, and many programs related to public policy, culture, and social services, as well as outreach, recreation, and research. The center also serves as a meeting place for more than 100 groups, from ACT UP to the Zappalorti Society.

I am not currently a strong paddler, but I do want to develop my stamina and strength so I can enjoy longer paddling excursions. I plan to train carefully for this event, and fully intend to do my share of the paddling - while 24 miles is not difficult for C. on his own, he can't just push me along. In addition to the endurance training I am already working on, I am going to begin strength training at my gym with the help of the trainers there. I am also planning to discuss some training specifics with paddlesports experts. This is not going to be an easy journey, but it is one I am looking forward to undertaking.

Now we come to the really important part of this page: raising money. In addition to the $75 registration fee, I have to raise $1000 in pledges for myself, and I am helping C. raise his $1000 in pledge money as well. (While neither of us is entirely comfortable with asking people for money, I'm more willing to do it than he is - so I'm the brains and he's the brawn of our team, if you will!) I understand that an important question asked by potential givers is "How much money will be going to the charity?" Unfortunately, the Paddle with Pride FAQ says the organizers do not know the exact dollar figure at this time - but they are expecting about 300 paddlers, so I am betting it will be a nice chunk of money if each paddler is raising $1000! I hope that those of you considering donating will do so for two reasons: for the center, and for me. This is the first time I have decided to do one of these fundraising sports events, and after having seen my dad complete Out of the Darkness for suicide prevention last year, I am motivated to attempt a similar achievement.

The Paddle with Pride website does offer the option to sponsor a paddler online, and if you know my full name you can take that route. Otherwise, please e-mail me to ask my full name so you can donate online, or ask for other information about donating. If you donate online, please e-mail me to let me know how much you've donated! They're still setting up a system for paddlers to log in and check their donation balance; until then I'd have to e-mail the coordinator to find out how much we've raised. But if you e-mail me, I can stay out of the poor guy's way! Please note: If you are donating by credit card, the charge will show up as GAYCENTER.ORG - NEW YORK on your bill.

One of the great things about the Internet is the power of word-of-mouth advertising. I hope you will help me spread the word about this event. And if you're sponsoring me, please send me an e-mail - I'm creating some special "spread the word" graphics just for sponsors! And finally, if you're willing to create additional graphics, please send them to me - I'll be sure to include who created them on this page.

by Debra

I am really looking forward to this event. Fundraising is only part of the process, but it may be the most challenging part! I hope you will consider donating. Please don't hesitate to e-mail me if you have any questions about my participation in Paddle with Pride, or suggestions for improving this site.