131 Paddlers Joined the Flotilla on July 16. See the Photos …
Save the Date for Flotilla 23
Saturday, July 15
Save the Date for Flotilla 23
Saturday, July 15
The Flotilla is about paddlers coming together to protect the Sound so if you love the Sound and you love to paddle, join the Flotilla.
Hundreds of us are paddling together – in a Flotilla of kayaks and paddle boards – from Cove Island Park in Stamford and Weed Beach in Darien to Boccuzzi Park on Stamford Harbor, where we’ll enjoy food, drinks and camaraderie. Along the way, we’ll be fully supported by support boats and our own Tiki Bar rest stop. Check out the route.
We even have a shuttle to get you and your kayak/board back to where you started.
A 4-mile paddle is very achievable, even for novice paddlers, but make it more fun; paddle with friends and family. Start a family and friends team and get the entire crew to paddle to support an important cause. Want to start a team at work? Start your team, give it a fun name and invite your co-workers to join. Maybe your company will support you with a donation or team shirts.
Now more than ever we need to protect our local environment and every paddler can make waves for the Sound. Long Island Sound is a precious, but fragile resource that is often taken for granted. We enjoy it, but taking care of it is always someone else’s job. That approach won’t work. It will jeopardize the future health of the Sound and all the benefits we receive from it.
Here’s where you come in: Everyone paddling in the Flotilla – adults and children – will raise at least $150 in donations to support SoundWaters education programs. See the FAQ below for more details on fundraising.
Don’t be intimidated. Fundraising is as easy as customizing your personal page and sending an email to friends and family asking for their support. They can make a donation right there on your page. Here’s what a fundraising page looks like. Check out the Fundraising tab below for tips and tools to make it even easier – you can even copy our emails!
SoundWaters teaches over 32,000 students per year about the science of Long Island Sound. Those students will grow up to become the environmental stewards of the future, taking care of the Sound when they get older. That’s how SoundWaters protects Long Island Sound through education. Your fundraising will support that critical mission.
Questions? Email us at flotilla@soundwaters.org or call us at 203-406-3303.
What is it?
Adults and children paddling kayaks and paddle boards 4 miles along the Long Island Sound shoreline to raise money to support SoundWaters Long Island Sound education programs.
The Route: We’ll paddle 4 miles from Cove Island Park in Stamford and Weed Beach in Darien to Boccuzzi Park (aka, Southfield Park) on Stamford Harbor. See the route. This distance is very achievable by all ages and experience levels. We’re starting at 8:30am so the water will be flat and the winds will be calm and we’ll have plenty of kayak guides and support boats to ensure your safety and enjoyment.
2023 Schedule
Saturday, July 15
7:30am: Equipment drop off and check-in at Cove Island Park and Weed Beach. Paddlers launching from Weed Beach and other points will paddle over to Cove Island for the official launch. All paddlers should be ready to paddle by 8:15am.
8:30am: Flotilla launches from the beach at Cove Island
9:30 – 11:00am: Flotilla arrives at Boccuzzi Park on Stamford Harbor
10:00am – 12:00pm: Beach party at Boccuzzi Park with lunch & music. ***
*** Transportation for paddlers and kayaks/boards will be provided back to Cove Island, Weed, and Pear Tree Beaches or other starting points throughout the day.
What do you need? Kayak or paddle board, a paddle, and Coast Guard-certified personal flotation device (life jacket).
Registration and Fundraising
Registration Fee: Single Kayak/Paddle Board: $50 per boat
Double Kayak: $100 per boat
Fundraising Minimum: Single Kayak/Paddle Board: $150 per boat
Double Kayak: $300 per boat
See the FAQ tab for more details on fundraising and check out the Fundraising Awards.
Team Fundraising: At the discretion of the team captain, if the team raises $150 x the number of team members, all members may be covered.
All registered paddlers will have their own personal web page, which can be customized with photos, language, etc. Supporters can make donations directly through that web page.
We’ve got one for you. You can rent a single ($50) or double kayak ($60) or a paddleboard ($50) as you go through the Flotilla registration process. When you arrive at Cove Island for the start, your boat or board will be waiting for you on the beach with a paddle and PFD. When you finish, you just leave everything and we’ll take care of it all. It couldn’t be easier.