TEAM CLUB TOOLKIT
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Paddling forward together!
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Welcome, Paddling Clubs!
Welcome to the Challenge!
Thank you for stepping up to lead your canoe club in the Making Waves for Autism Team Club Challenge! You’re joining clubs across Canada in a high-impact, community-powered event where your paddling club commits to logging 365 kilometers to support Autism Canada.
This is more than just a challenge. It’s a statement of solidarity. A way to come together as a team, do something epic, and raise funds to support neurodivergent youth and families across the country.
This playbook will help you organize your club’s participation in the Making Waves for Autism Team Club Challenge, mobilize your members, and make waves for a great cause!
Together, we can make waves across Canada!
What is the 365 km Team Challenge?
Your club’s mission: Paddle 365 kilometers collectively—whether in a single day, over a weekend, a week, or throughout the month of May. This symbolic distance represents the 365 days a year that families support their loved ones with autism. Choose the pace and schedule that works best for your team—every stroke counts.
Why Get Involved?
Special Club Incentive
Any club that raises $2,500 or more will receive Autism Canada’s Literacy Program training for up to 15 staff or coaches. This is a valuable opportunity to make your club more inclusive and appealing to families seeking welcoming spaces for their kids.
Training includes best practices for working with neurodivergent youth and practical tips to support inclusion on and off the water.
Your club will also receive:
Exciting Perk for Individual Paddlers
Olympic champion Katie Vincent is joining the cause!
Paddlers who raise $500 or more will be invited to a private webinar with Katie—an exclusive chance to ask her anything about her journey to Olympic gold, her best paddling tips, and more.
How to Get Started
1. Register Your Team
2. Set your Schedule
Pick your date(s) in May 2025 for your event. Consider:
3. Promote the Event Internally
Fundraising Tips
Note: All fundraising is hosted on Zeffy, a fee-free secure platform that ensures 100% of donations go directly to Autism Canada.
How to Log Your Kilometers
Track your team’s total distance during your event:
Make it Exciting with Optional Add-Ons
We Make It Easy
We’ve created a Marketing Toolkit just for canoe clubs with:
Ask us for the files or download here.
Questions or Support?
We’re here to help you make your event a success!
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us directly at [email protected]
Thank You for Making Waves!
Your efforts help create more inclusive communities and support individuals with autism across Canada. Let’s paddle forward together!
For questions or support, contact: [email protected]
Thank you for stepping up to lead your canoe club in the Making Waves for Autism Team Club Challenge! You’re joining clubs across Canada in a high-impact, community-powered event where your paddling club commits to logging 365 kilometers to support Autism Canada.
This is more than just a challenge. It’s a statement of solidarity. A way to come together as a team, do something epic, and raise funds to support neurodivergent youth and families across the country.
This playbook will help you organize your club’s participation in the Making Waves for Autism Team Club Challenge, mobilize your members, and make waves for a great cause!
Together, we can make waves across Canada!
What is the 365 km Team Challenge?
Your club’s mission: Paddle 365 kilometers collectively—whether in a single day, over a weekend, a week, or throughout the month of May. This symbolic distance represents the 365 days a year that families support their loved ones with autism. Choose the pace and schedule that works best for your team—every stroke counts.
- Paddle in any combination of team boats or solo crafts (canoes, kayaks, SUPs, outrigger, dragonboat, etc)
- Host a single-day event or break it into shifts across a weekend, a week or the month of May
- All paddling must occur between May 1 – May 31, 2025
Why Get Involved?
- Support a national cause: Funds raised support Autism Canada’s education, advocacy, and inclusion work.
- Make your club more inclusive: Clubs that raise over $2,500 receive Autism Canada training for up to 15 staff or coaches.
- Engage your membership: This is a fun, team-building event that connects your club to a broader movement.
- Build community visibility: Promote your club as a space for everyone—families notice!
Special Club Incentive
Any club that raises $2,500 or more will receive Autism Canada’s Literacy Program training for up to 15 staff or coaches. This is a valuable opportunity to make your club more inclusive and appealing to families seeking welcoming spaces for their kids.
Training includes best practices for working with neurodivergent youth and practical tips to support inclusion on and off the water.
Your club will also receive:
- A certificate of recognition from Autism Canada
- A clubhouse decal + website badge showing your club is a neurodivergent-friendly space
- Your logo featured on the Autism Canada website as a proud partner
Exciting Perk for Individual Paddlers
Olympic champion Katie Vincent is joining the cause!
Paddlers who raise $500 or more will be invited to a private webinar with Katie—an exclusive chance to ask her anything about her journey to Olympic gold, her best paddling tips, and more.
How to Get Started
1. Register Your Team
- Visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-to-peer/making-waves-for-autism--2025
- Click “Registration” and then “Create a Team”
- Choose your canoe club as the team name
- Set a fundraising goal (e.g. $2,500 to unlock Autism Canada’s Literacy Program for your coaches and staff!)
- Customize your team page with photos and your club story
2. Set your Schedule
Pick your date(s) in May 2025 for your event. Consider:
- Decide whether you're doing the 365km in a single day, over a weekend, a week or throughout the month of May
- Scheduling it around club opening days or other seasonal kickoff events/regattas
- Availability of your paddlers
3. Promote the Event Internally
- Announce it at practices, meetings, and in newsletters
- Create a paddling schedule (relay-style, group paddles, shifts)
- Encourage members to join and fundraise on your team page
Fundraising Tips
- Share your team’s fundraising page widely
- Encourage each paddler to raise a minimum amount (e.g. $100)
- Use social media and email to reach family and friends
- Set fun internal goals (e.g. “First to raise $300 gets a club hoodie!”)
Note: All fundraising is hosted on Zeffy, a fee-free secure platform that ensures 100% of donations go directly to Autism Canada.
How to Log Your Kilometers
Track your team’s total distance during your event:
- Use GPS apps, sign-up sheets, etc
- Tally distances per boat or per paddler
Make it Exciting with Optional Add-Ons
- BBQ or Social: End your 365 km paddle day with a celebration!
- Local Sponsors: Ask local businesses to match funds or provide in-kind support (water, snacks, prizes).
We Make It Easy
We’ve created a Marketing Toolkit just for canoe clubs with:
- Social Media Templates: Share the excitement online! Use our templates to post challenges, fundraising updates, or friendly rivalries with other clubs.
- Quick-Start Marketing Guide: Get tips on how to promote your event, create buzz, and bring in donations—without needing a big team or budget.
- Email & Press Release Templates: Reach out to your community, invite sponsors, and connect with local media using our pre-written, customizable communications.
Ask us for the files or download here.
Questions or Support?
We’re here to help you make your event a success!
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us directly at [email protected]
Thank You for Making Waves!
Your efforts help create more inclusive communities and support individuals with autism across Canada. Let’s paddle forward together!
For questions or support, contact: [email protected]
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PADDLECanoe, kayak, surfski, outrigger, SUP, row, dragonboat...the choice of craft is yours, and so is the journey. Pick your paddle and make it your own!
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TEAMWORKPaddle solo or gather your friends and take on the challenge as a team - it's up to you!
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CONTRIBUTEEvery kilometre you paddle makes a real difference - contribute with confidence knowing your effort counts.
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