PADDLE-A-THON

Coldwater Canada Paddle-a-thon | Saturday, June 24, 2023

Would you consider sponsoring a paddler to help make Coldwater experiences possible to young people this summer?

As a ministry that cares deeply about seeing youth and adult lives changed through wilderness experiences, Coldwater seeks to keep our registration fees as low as possible. However, every year there are still students who approach us in need of financial assistance in order to participate in a wilderness program. So, on June 24th, we are hosting a Paddle-a-Thon Fundraising Event, and every dollar raised will help make a transformative wilderness experience possible for students requiring financial assistance this summer.

This event is designed for all ages and abilities. While registration to join us as a paddler has closed, to paddle you can still get involved by giving a financial gift HERE to sponsor a student this summer.

Event details

Paddlers will meet at the end location (Brant Conservation Area) where they will leave their vehicles and get checked in for the event. After checking in, Coldwater volunteers will provide transportation from the Brant Conservation Area to the full-day and half-day starting locations. Participants will then paddle down the Grand River until they reach the Brant Conservation Area where they will conclude the day with a celebratory BBQ.
At the start locations, participants will be outfitted with a paddle, a PFD, a canoe and basic paddle instruction. Canoes will be assigned to a group led by a trained Coldwater Wilderness Instructor and will travel down the Grand River together.
This event is rain or shine, so please dress accordingly!

Full event schedule, registration details, fundraising specifics, and FAQs can be found below.

Registration deadline is June 19th, 2023. Register by June 7th to receive a limited edition 2023 Coldwater Canada Paddle-a-Thon t-shirt on the day of the event!

FULL-DAy | Blair to Brantford
(approx. 42km, 7-8 hours, 2 short portages)

The full-day option is designed for pairs and families who are eager to spend the whole day on the water and are open to being challenged. This route will give participants the opportunity to paddle through diverse settings from downtown Galt to rural Brant County.

You will meet and park at the Brant Conservation Area Savannah picnic area by 8:00 AM. Upon arrival, you will check-in, receive your food for the day, and meet your fellow paddlers. At 8:15 AM, you will be shuttled to Moyer’s Blair Landing (Access #12) to be outfitted and hit the water. Your group will have lunch mid-day on the water while paddling until Brant Conservation Area “Launch B” (Access #19) where everyone will finish, have dinner and celebrate at the Savannah picnic area.

Brant Conservation Area map: https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/resources/Documents/Park-maps-2022/BrantTearOff-2022.pdf

HALF-DAY | Glen Morris to Brantford
(approx. 25km, 4-5 hours, 1 short portage)

The half-day paddle is designed for pairs and families who are interested in a shorter paddling experience through some beautiful sections of the Grand River. This is also a great option for families with younger kids eager to get their feet wet.

You will meet and park at the Brant Conservation Area Savannah picnic area by 12:00 PM. Upon arrival, you will check-in, receive snacks and meet your fellow paddlers. At 12:15 PM, you will be shuttled to Glen Morris (Access #17) to be outfitted and hit the water. Your group will paddle until Brant Conservation Area “Launch B” (Access #19) where everyone will finish, have dinner and celebrate at the Savannah picnic area.

Brant Conservation Area map: https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/resources/Documents/Park-maps-2022/BrantTearOff-2022.pdf

Registration Details

Half-Day Costs: $90 per pair, $30 per additional child (maximum of two children per canoe)

Full-Day Costs: $130 per pair, $45 per additional child (maximum of two children per canoe)

**A ‘pair’ is any two people who register together and share a canoe; both over the age of 12.

**A ‘child’ is anyone ages 5 - 12 who registers with a parent/guardian and sits in the bottom of the hull;

children 4 & under are free.

**Registration closes June 19th, 2023**

Please Note:

If you register by June 7th, 2023, you will receive a limited edition 2023 Coldwater Canada Paddle-a-Thon t-shirt on the day of the event!
If you would like to register more than two children ages 12 & under, please email admin@coldwatercanada.org.
If you are having trouble finding a friend to register with and would like us to pair you with another individual, please email admin@coldwatercanada.org, and we would be happy to find you a partner.
The registration fee covers event costs including transportation, lunch (full-day participants only), snacks, dinner, canoes, paddles, PFD’s and trained leaders.
Please make sure to identify any dietary restrictions and health-related information on the registration form.
Registration fees are not tax receiptable.

Registration closed

fundraising details

Leading up to the event, participants are encouraged to spend time inviting family and friends to financially support their paddle. While the registration fee covers the cost of the Paddle-a-Thon, 100% of any financial donations will go towards the Coldwater Student Sponsorship Fund. Please note that while registration fees are not tax receiptable, donations are tax receiptable.

Once registered, paddlers can follow the steps below in order to fundraise:

Step One

Set a personal fundraising goal! We encourage aiming for at least $350, which would cover one registration fee for our shortest trip. If you want to aim big, a goal of $2500 would cover one spot in our 5-week IGNITE leadership program for high school students.

Step Two

Share about the Paddle-a-Thon and your fundraising goal with your network. Invite them to financially contribute as you paddle in support of raising funds to help make a transformative wilderness experience possible for students requiring financial assistance this summer. Be sure to include THIS LINK and remind people to include your name when they fill out the donation form.

Step Three

Check in on your fundraising progress by viewing the personalized spreadsheet that we will share with you via the email address provided on the registration form. Continue to reach out to your network until you reach your fundraising goal!

Step Four

Enjoy your paddle down the Grand River on Saturday, June 24th!

Step Five

Be sure to thank everyone who donated on your behalf. It is always a nice touch to include a picture of yourself from the day of the event! Also, be sure to direct people to the Coldwater Canada Facebook and Instagram pages where they will find updates on the event.