We needed a name. Something that would look good on T-shirts. The first name we'd thought of was "Row for a Reason" which struck a chord with me and my past crew experience as kayakers don't actually "row," they "paddle." The name switched, briefly, to "Paddle for a Purpose," which I believe sounded a bit too close to "porpoise" and we had no intention (at least initially) of saving our cetacean friends. Also, "paddle" was open to interpretation, and as this was a strictly sea-kayaking event, someone showing up in a canoe would be out of place. Finally, we settle on "Kayak for a Cause" and it seemed to click. All we had to do was actually make the trip.

There was a distinct lack of planning on the trek. We'd managed to round up eight or nine guys, most of whom had little kayaking experience. Our "safety boat" was little more than a place to keep the beers cold, and our coordinates were less than trustworthy. (We hadn't taken into account the tides, currents, winds, or super-tanker wakes.) By all estimations, the 12-14 mile trip was a success. There was a case of heat-stroke and we may have lost another brave soul somewhere near Cold Spring Harbor. But the bulk of us made it, and we felt definite accomplishment on the other side. We enjoyed beer and lobster on Long Island, and spoke about doing it again next year.

And we did. And the year after that. And then we started getting national sponsors, and a heavy-duty men's magazine to throw some cash our way. Suddenly, that small group of nine turned into 200 and then to 300. People were traveling, not only across the country, but across oceans to be a part of the flotilla. The event was so large that we started breaking world records. The donations to charities rose exponentially, and we were getting world-wide media coverage. I knew we'd hit big when our advertisements began showing up in train stations and magazines.

Always one to party, we knew we had to celebrate well. Lobsters and a few beers weren't going to cut it anymore. We needed to blow it out. And so, the after-party was born. In it's basic form, it was a lobster bake on a beach, with a few thousand of your closest friends, performances by the Wailers and the Neville Brothers, auctions, games, great food, and a kick-ass night.

Kayak for a Cause is still going strong, and they're always looking for help. If you'd like to donate, click here. If you'd like to sign up to paddle (there are still a few spaces), click here.