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Where can I get details about each individual event I am registering for?
On the Registration Page you will see Details to the right of each event. This is a link to the Details Page for that event. It has the level of difficulty, distance, boat size restrictions, and a brief description.
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Why am I unable to complete the payments page after I fill out the Registration Page?
If you have a problem navigating the PayPal Page, particularly if it will not accept your credit/
debit card, it may be that you have an open personal PayPal account. Apparently PayPal
wants you to use your personal PayPal account. If you have this issue, please see the next
question.
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Do I have to redo the whole registration process and try to pay again?
No. Once you get to the PayPal Page, your registration selections are locked in whether you
successfully navigate the payment page or not. If you are unable to pay by PayPal, send us
an email (See “Contact Us” for the address in the navigation bar at the top of the website)
and we can send you the information to pay by check. You will have two weeks for us to
receive the payment before we erase your registration selections.
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Why is the meal plan set up a little differently with each festival?
The meal plan we decide on is mainly based on the local community’s resources and our
budget constraints.
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Why does the maximum number of registrants vary annually?
It is mainly dependent upon the community resources and environmental impact.
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Why don’t you shuttle our kayaks to all our different events?
With up to 10 Paddle events leaving at the same time, in multiple locations, all with up to 10
paddlers, it would require a large fleet of volunteers with trailers and people haulers.
Contracting this out would be exorbitant, and not feasible.
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Where do the Registration Fee proceeds go?
Most of the proceeds go into food expenses, other HCPA expenses include venue rentals,
equipment rentals, port-a-potty rentals, advertising, printing, website management, and
usually a small donation to a local nature organization.
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Do any of the Registration Fee proceeds go toward paying the organizers?
No, the Organizing/Planning Committee, as well as all the Sub-Committees and Paddle
Guides and Safety Sweeps are made up of an all-volunteer staff.
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Why don’t you have a la carte pricing?
With so many events, it would be very difficult logistically for the volunteers, not to mention
confusing for the registrants to have a tiered pricing arrangement.
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Why do some Paddles require a 14’ boat? It seems like some of the Paddles I did last time could have been done with a 12’ boat.
For the Yankeetown HCPA, we had a 5 person Paddling Committee that decided size
restrictions. Each person on the Committee was ACA certified or trained as a Paddle
Instructor or Coastal Guide and trained in self and assisted rescues. The Paddles are
chosen far in advance of the festival, so we cannot determine the weather. We base our
judgements on moderate weather. 14’ boats are generally considered the industry standard
entry level boats for open water Paddles. Prior to the Yankeetown HCPA, at each of our
previous festivals we had 10 -12’ boats that had to turn back because they could not handle
the Paddle. This requires a Safety Sweep to escort them back, and places the remaining
Paddlers in an unsafe situation. In addition to weather considerations, a second reason is
that prior to the Yankeetown HCPA we had numerous complaints both from paddlers with
longer boats having to barely creep along, as well as short boat paddlers saying they were
unable to keep up. We felt that this was unfair to both parties. This especially becomes an
issue on our lengthier Paddles. We also have Insurance, and Corporate Safety Guidelines to
follow. Remember, everyone’s safety is our primary concern.
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What if I don’t have an appropriate kayak?
We usually have at least one local kayak shop working closely with each HCPA. That
information is usually on the registration page. Please make sure the shop understands your
rental needs. Most will not shuttle your kayak to your various Paddles,. You will most likely
have to shuttle your kayak on your own, or a friend’s vehicle.
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What is your Cancellation/Refund Policy?
In the event that the annual Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure must be cancelled due to
circumstances beyond the control of the organizers, for example, but not limited to, an
approaching tropical storm, hurricane, or high winds; due to the HCPA expenses incurred
during its planning, there will be no refund of the registration fee.. There will be no refunds
for personal cancellations after 14 days before the HCPA. Individual cancellations prior to
that time period will be handled on a case by case basis.
