Paddle for ProgressPaddle for Progress

Supporting the Breast Oncology Research Fund
at Rhode Island Hospital

FUN PADDLE – WICKFORD HARBOR, NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI

Event will start and finish at the boat launch area

WILSON PARK, ROOSEVELT AVE, NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI, 11:30am-1:00pm
(Registration 10:00am – 11:15am)

Sunday September 17, 2023
(Sunday September 24, 2023, Rain Date)

Paddlers of all abilities are invited to join for this gentle two-mile paddle in Wickford Harbor, North Kingstown, RI.* With the support of The Kayak Centre in Wickford and the North Kingstown Harbormaster, participants will gather on the water for fun while bringing visibility to the both the Lifespan Breast Cancer Multidisciplinary Clinic and Lifespan Breast Cancer Research at Rhode Island Hospital. Among others, Dr. Stephanie Graff and Dr. Theresa Graves look forward to being on the water with you for this Paddle for Progress. Let’s get on the water together to benefit this very important cause! Spectators are also welcome to join!

*Important information for paddlers and viewers >>

Please email paddleforprogressri@gmail.com with any questions.

Shapiros - Paddle for Progress

(L-R) Daryl West and Deb Shapiro

Our story

We are a mother-daughter team fighting breast cancer and winning. We were diagnosed in 2022, each receiving a diagnosis of a different type of breast cancer within 100 days of the other. In good health, we were stunned by our individual diagnoses. The impact of breast cancer on individuals and families is enormous and high-caliber treatment often requires significant travel. The availability and visibility of breast cancer precision medicine in Rhode Island is crucial on many levels. We know this firsthand and feel very fortunate to be successfully and compassionately treated at the Lifespan Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Center in East Greenwich. We are outdoor enthusiasts and sea kayakers, and we invite you to participate in this inaugural Paddle for Progress event with 100% of the proceeds benefiting breast oncology research in RI.

Register to paddle and/or donate below

In order to ensure we do not exceed the maximum number of participants set by the North Kingstown Harbormaster; we will contact you via email after donating to ask if you will be paddling.

If you prefer to donate by mail please make all checks payable to Rhode Island Hospital Foundation and send to P.O. Box H Providence RI, 02901. Note in the memo that it is for Paddle for Progress

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You’ve registered to paddle, now what!?

(In the event that you are registering after 3pm on Friday, September 16th, please also email Paddleforprogressri@gmail.com to say you are joining and arrive with all of your equipment between 10am and 11am.)

Paddlers, where to meet: Set your GPS or phone to Wilson Park, North Kingstown, RI. There are two entrances: Roosevelt Avenue and Intrepid Drive, either is fine. You will see Paddle for Progress signs directing you to the kayak launch area. We will launch from the kayak launch area, not the boat ramp. There will be plenty of parking, as well as enthusiastic people to help you unload your watercraft and get organized. You will also find the welcome area here for check in. We will have some light refreshments for paddlers and spectators and the chance to meet and greet and take a few photos. Please stop by the welcome tent as soon as you arrive.

Paddlers, what to wear and bring: Your boat or board along with your paddle/oar and lifejacket. Water, sun protection, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, as you desire. Everyone on the water must sign a Release of Liability form  and wear a lifejacket. Please dress appropriately for the air and water temperature.

Paddlers, our paddling route: This will be a gentle 2-mile paddle in Wickford Harbor, departing from Wilson Park in North Kingstown travelling for about one mile in Wickford Harbor, likely rounding a few tiny inner harbor picturesque islands, Rabbit, and Cornelius. We will cross the boat channel with the support of the North Kingstown Harbormaster and others heading to Gardner’s Wharf. At Gardner’s Wharf we will take a brief water break and then head back to the Wilson Park boat launch ramp where our paddling will conclude. The paddle route will be well identified, and an experienced team will guide our travel.

Viewers and fans, we’re looking forward to seeing you: If you are coming just to view the event and cheer on the participants you can do this either from Wilson Park, in North Kingstown, which will be our starting and ending point or at Gardner’s Wharf, also in North Kingstown which will be our mid-way point where our paddlers will turn to return to Wilson Park. There is a public parking area at the end of Main Street in North Kingstown, adjacent to Gardner’s Seafood at 170 Main Street. There is also a small beach there for you to get some great photos. From Gardner’s Wharf, if you look to the left (towards the North) you will be able to see the parade of paddlers cross the boat channel in Wickford supported by the North Kingstown Harbormaster and others. It promises to be a great sight, for a great cause.

*In order to ensure we do not exceed the maximum number of participants set by the North Kingstown Harbormaster; we will contact you via email after donating to ask if you will be paddling.

**Single and double kayaks, pedal boards, SUPs, and rowing boats of all types are invited to join the fun. Participants must provide their own watercraft for the event. Pursuant to RI DEM regulation, everyone will be required to wear lifejackets. 100% of proceeds will benefit the Breast Oncology Research fund at Rhode Island Hospital.

Thank you again for your support!