Lifestart Kayak4Kids

Paddling marathon on Sydney Harbour

Lifestart Kayak for Kids is an inspirational annual paddling marathon on Sydney Harbour. The event is run by Adventure Racing Outdoor Challenges (AROC) for the LifeStart organisation and is most definitely a fantastic way to see one of the greatest harbours in the world.

A flotilla of kayaks of all shapes and sizes took part in Kayak for Kids 2010 on Sunday 28 March for Lifestart’s annual fundraising event on Sydney Harbour.  And what a gorgeous day it was!  Early hazy conditions were replaced by sunshine and blue skies and things went amazingly well for the over 500 paddlers participating.

Increasingly the Lifestart kayak for kids is attracting elite surf ski paddlers as well ocean racers and sea kayakers but this does not seem to deter the try hard sit-on-top novice teams and families.

Our South Australian relay team completed the paddle managing to get their triple sit-on-top over the finish line in around 2 & _ hours. Apart from finishing the 18km course the highlight of the trip for the team was being drenched by confusing swell at the entrance to Middle Harbour …. closely followed by a turning bouy at a nudie beach.

The Kayak for Kids event raises funds for very special kids. These kids – aged from birth to 6 – have an intellectual disability or developmental delay, such as Down Syndrome and Autism. Lifestart provides early childhood services, to ensure these special kids have the best possible start in life.

The great thing about Lifestart Kayak for Kids is it’s a fun event on the water that everyone can join in to. Whether you’re an experienced kayaker, someone who has never sat in a kayak before, whether you’re an adult or a kid.

You can paddle the 18km as an individual entry or as a relay team. The team category involves groups of from 3 to 12 people. Sturdy 3 seater kayaks, paddles and life vests are provided. The course is divided into four stages with three transition areas where teams can change paddlers. So for a team of 12, each paddler would only paddle approximately 4.5km.

At the time this release was written, $120,000 had been raised for Lifestart, a community organization which provides services for children aged from birth to six who have an intellectual disability or developmental delay, such as Down Syndrome and Autism.  Let’s hope this doesn’t stop there with fundraising open for a month yet.

Although no firm date has been announced yet, the next edition of Lifestart Kayak for Kids is confirmed for next year. So anyone interested can start their paddling training now.