Start your own fund-raising SUP adventure
Now before you say “It will never happen to me”, these kinds of marathon paddles have been completed by the most unlikely of stand up paddlers, guys and girls who have previously only pottered around their local bay! What’s stopping you? Yes YOU! From starting an adventure of a lifetime and raising some cash for a charity close to your heart.
Here’s some things you’ll need to get you rolling, or (paddling in this case) in your stand up paddling adventure.
An idea… Where are you going to go? Could you attempt a world record? Maybe a long distance venture? Or extreme endurance? Or even a fun, dress up event at your local beach? The possibilities are endless!
A support crew… Every fundraiser has a team behind the scenes, whether the crew is driving down the coast to follow you, in a rescue boat just two strokes behind, or shaking collection tins at the local woolies, a good support crew will do wonders for your donations.
Some sponsors… Do you need gear? Maybe some sausages for a sausage sizzle? Prizes? Cash? Airfares? Given the chance, good businesses are always eager to contribute to the cause in return for some advertising. You might offer to wear t-shirts, sticker boards, wear funny hats, hand out flyers or simply spread the word. In return you’ll be surprised at what you’ll get in return!
A little media coverage… Call the newspapers, they’re always eager for stories and chances are you’ll have a 4x4 loaded with a journalist and a photographer show up for some pre, or post event coverage. Post the event on your favorite stand up paddling websites (hint hint!) and plaster the beaches with flyers. Every person who see’s your campaign might donate, so get advertising!
A charity to donate to… All that fundraising has to go somewhere! So pick a charity that’s close to your heart, get on their website and find out how to best assist them. You can either use the websites like everydayhero.com to collect funds, or do it the old fashioned way, with a Milo tin and a smile…
What’s your excuse! Stand up paddling is a great way to raise funds, have fun and get healthy at the same time. For a little inspiration, check out the two boys doing a paddle from Brisbane to Sydney this month, the Big Blue Paddle is raising funds and awareness for Beyond Blue, a foundation that helps sufferers of anxiety and depression. They’re currently 10 days in to their month long journey down the east coast of Australia!
sandringham, VIC
