Alafia Challenge 2010
A Canoe and Kayak Race for the entire family.
Updated: September 2, 2010
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The Alafia Challenge is a canoe and kayak race down the lower Alafia River, located in southern Hillsborough County, Florida. The race is from Lithia Springs county park to the Riverview Civic Center, a distance of about 11 miles. From a beginning in 1999 with about 50 competitors, it has grown so that in 2002, there were over 250 participants, ranging from novices to serious competitors, and from 6 to 80 years old. The 2003 race increased participation to 221 boats and 330 participants, in 2004 there were 227 registered boats and 339 registered participants, and 2005 has 217 registered boats and 330 participants. During our 2008 race there were a total of 237 boats registered, and 203 boats actually raced; 353 people registered, and 308 paddlers raced.
Due to the recent economy and it's effect on our race sponsors with monetary and in-kind donations, the race committee decided to cancel the 2009 Alafia Challenge Canoe & Kayak Race. As you have seen, this event requires many volunteer and employee hours. If you are a canoer and kayaker please let your county commissioner know how important the Alafia River is to you and your family and how it needs continued maintenance to keep it navigable. Recent bank deterioration due the past years hurricanes and flooding has caused many large trees to loose their root systems and fall into the river blocking its navigability. Please help us ask for this funding for maintenance on the river.
Print The Alafia Challenge is a canoe and kayak race down the lower Alafia River, located in southern Hillsborough County, Florida. The race is from Lithia Springs county park to the Riverview Civic Center, a distance of about 11 miles. From a beginning in 1999 with about 50 competitors, it has grown so that in 2002, there were over 250 participants, ranging from novices to serious competitors, and from 6 to 80 years old. The 2003 race increased participation to 221 boats and 330 participants, in 2004 there were 227 registered boats and 339 registered participants, and 2005 has 217 registered boats and 330 participants. During our 2008 race there were a total of 237 boats registered, and 203 boats actually raced; 353 people registered, and 308 paddlers raced.
Due to the recent economy and it's effect on our race sponsors with monetary and in-kind donations, the race committee decided to cancel the 2009 Alafia Challenge Canoe & Kayak Race. As you have seen, this event requires many volunteer and employee hours. If you are a canoer and kayaker please let your county commissioner know how important the Alafia River is to you and your family and how it needs continued maintenance to keep it navigable. Recent bank deterioration due the past years hurricanes and flooding has caused many large trees to loose their root systems and fall into the river blocking its navigability. Please help us ask for this funding for maintenance on the river.