Help Save The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co.!

Our beautiful Haw River, the soul of our community, has brought us heartbreak. In the peak of paddling season, tropical storm Chantal tore through Saxapahaw and transformed our beloved river into a raging flood. In its path, it almost completely destroyed The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co.’s headquarters.

The floodwaters rose past the ceiling, leaving behind toxic mud, thick muck, and devastation that no photo can truly capture. What was once a hub for outdoor exploration and community connection is now utterly unrecognizable.

For over 20 years, The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. (HRCK) has introduced thousands to the beauty of the river and surrounding wilderness. Whether you’ve taken a guided trip, rented a kayak, sent your kids to summer camp, or just waved to the paddlers from the bridge — you’ve felt the magic that Joe Jacob, Jacob Matheny, Ben Clarke, and the entire HRCK team bring to the river.

We’ve already received so much incredible support from our friends, family members, neighbors, and even strangers who volunteered to help clear out the building, clean off all the mud, and salvage what might be saved. We’re so touched by all the helping hands that saved us in our hour of need, but now we’ve made it as far as muscle and sweat alone can take us. We need to replace what we’ve lost and get back on our feet, and we’re going to need your help.

Our end goal is to raise $158,000 to rebuild and reopen. These funds will help replace:

We’re also searching for a new base of operations — including a temporary home for Camp RiverQuest, so we can keep offering magical summer experiences for your children this season.

This is more than a business — it’s a lifeline to the river, to nature, and to each other. And in a community like Saxapahaw, where the Triangle meets the Triad, we lift each other up.

Please consider donating. Any amount — big or small — makes a real difference. And if you can’t give financially, sharing this link is another powerful way to help. Let’s rally together to save a piece of what makes this community so special.

With deep gratitude,

The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. Team

Ben C, Ben J, Breckin, Caroline, Chandler, Clara, Evan, Greg, Grayson, Jacob, James, Jason, Joe, Katy Beth, Linden, Patrick & Simon

P.S. For everyone asking about Timothy the Red-Eared Slider — our best guess is he made a great escape and is now happily living his best turtle life somewhere along the Haw.