Challenge Series: ... Introduction 

Have you ever thought of entering a longer race?  Don't know where to start?
Or, you have been in a  longer race, but want to be more prepared?  The FCPA
is hosting one event per month starting each November and ending in April.

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 Challenge Series: ... Purpose: 

To create a series of races/challenges available to all paddlers.  The goal
is to encourage the development of long distance paddling skills.

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 Challenge Series: ... Guidelines: 

The length of each event will be 6 to 8 hours for the average paddler.  The
courses are arranged to allow for pit stops and exchanges for team paddlers,
but there is no limit on pit locations.

Cut-off times are necessary for the safety of the paddlers.  Paddlers may
continue after the cut-off time on their own.

Each participant will receive a medallion and a plaque will be awarded to
paddlers who attend three or move events.  There are six different
medallions each depicting an Indian tribe of the general event location.

Most events use existing FCPA race locations.  In general the Challenge
event will take place on the day after the FCPA race.  The cost per paddler
will be $10. This fee will go towards repayment of the die charges,
medallions, and end of the series plaques.

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 Challenge Series: ... Safety: 

Each paddler is expected to have the safety equipment required by Florida
State Law as well as the Coast Guard.  That means a PFD - Personal Floation
Device in working condition and a sound making device (whistle).

The use of a GPS devices is permitted and encouraged!  Coordinates for
important locations for each course will be posted on this site.

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 Challenge Series: ... Teams: 

Challenge teams can be just about anything the paddlers want.  The only
requirement is that each member of the team paddles a section of the course.
The goal is to get people involved.  Teams can use canoes and/or kayaks and
mix and match as the team chooses.  Because most of the courses are out and
back from the start location, team members can even start at the same time
going opposite directions.  For example at the April event on the Rainbow
and Withlacoochee Rivers one part of the team might paddle up the
Withlacoochee at the same time as other team members paddle the Rainbow.
Team members' times are then combined.