We are a sprint canoe and kayak club in Ventura, California. Sprint canoeing is an Olympic sport, but one that most Americans know little about. Our club was once as large as 50 active members in the late 1970s and early 80s, winning a record number of consecutive National Championships. After a dormant period, the club is again active and growing with several youth members new to the sport, and some returning adults.

Despite Ventura being a coastal community in Southern California, much of our youth comes from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We charge a nominal $20 per month for club dues and provide all equipment to new paddlers thanks to generous supporters and past club members donating equipment. Getting athletes to the National Championships and the National Team Trials where they may end up making teams to race internationally is our goal.

Our paddlers need financial aid to make this happen as a trip to the four day Nationals event usually runs about $1,500 per paddler for all expenses and travel costs. Team Trials is frequently less, but should they make a National Team, our sport's National Governing Body does not cover the costs of travel or attendance to international regattas. We would like to offer scholarships and offset the expenses needed for more of our athletes to be able to afford these opportunities.

Sports can be a place for youth to learn how to achieve goals, become resilient, learn to work as a team, and create communities that will last a lifetime. We want to make these opportunities open to all.