Paddling Kids Story Contest

Official Rules

Rapid Magazine, Inc. (“Sponsor” or “we” or “Our”) is holding this Paddling Kids Story Contest (“Contest”) to allow you (“you” or “Participant”) to share your kayaking story and photos with Paddling Magazine for a chance to be chosen one of the top kayaking stories of the summer. Participants must be 3-17 years of age and have entered with the written consent of their respective parent/guardian. NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. VOID IN QUEBEC, CANADA.

SPONSOR. Rapid Magazine, Inc.

ELIGIBILITY; PARENTAL CONSENT. A Participant must be 3-17 years old and reside in the United States or Canada and must enter with written consent of his/her parent or guardian (“Parent”). BY ENTERING THIS CONTEST, THE PARTICIPANT AND PARENT AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PADDLING MAGAZINE’S WEBSITE FOUND AT https://paddlingmag.com/terms-of-service/ (“WEBSITE TERMS”), AND PARENT REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT BY ENTERING THIS CONTEST, PARTICIPANT MEETS THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS, AS SET FORTH BELOW.

ENTRY PERIOD: The Contest entry period begins September 1, 2025, at 6:00 am PT and ends September 30, 2025, at 9:00 pm PT (“Entry Period”). Sponsor’s computer clock is the official timekeeping device of the Contest. One entry per person.

HOW TO ENTER. All entries must be submitted during the Entry Period in the manner described in these Official Rules. To enter, a Participant must submit an audio recording (“Recording”) and 3-5 digital photos (“Photos”) that, together, describe the Participant’s most memorable paddling experience of the summer (the Recording and photos are collectively, the “Submission”). Participant must narrate his/her story for the Recording, which should be no longer than five (5) minutes. The written narrative of the story must be an original work of Participant. Each photo should be at least 2850 x 1900 pixels in size. The photos must be original works of Participant (taken by Participant) or photos of Participant (taken by Parent). Photos that show individuals other than Participant or Parent shall not be permitted. To enter, a Submission should be uploaded into the Contest portal found at www.paddlingmag.com/paddling-kids with the consent of Parent. On or about October 10, 2025, Sponsor shall choose the top three Submissions, which are final and subject to Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. The top three Submissions (“Finalists”) will have their Submissions published on Sponsor’s social media sites between October 14 and November 7, 2025. The Finalist whose Submission receives the most comments, saves, shares and likes, collectively, as determined in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion, shall be named the 1st Place Winner. The 2nd Place Winner and 3rd Place Winner will be the Participants with the second and third most comments, saves, shares and likes, respectively, as determined in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion. Submissions will not be returned to Contestant. By entering the Contest, Parent, on behalf of Participant, hereby grants to Sponsor an unlimited, nonexclusive, perpetual, royalty-free, fully-paid-up, right and license to use the Submission in any media, now known or later developed, including without limitation the right to duplicate, copy, repost, distribute, display, and make derivative works thereof, and the right to sublicense such rights for any purpose related to Sponsor.

PRIZES. There will be a total of 3 winners. 1st Place Prize: Jackson Kayak Kids Fun 1.5, Werner Paddles Amigo, NRS Vista Youth PFD, NRS Kid’s Shorty Wetsuit and NRS small helmet (Verifiable Retail Value: $1,285.85 USD). 2nd Place Prize: Paddlesports package, to be determined with Verifiable Retail Value of at least $1000.00 USD; 3rd Place Prize: Paddlesports package, to be determined with Verifiable Retail Value of at least $400.00 USD. Any taxes on prizes won will be the sole responsibility of the winners. No substitution or transfer of prizes is permitted, and prizes cannot be redeemed for cash. No Prize substitutions are allowed except by Sponsor, who may award a prize of equal or greater value.

HOW TO CLAIM A PRIZE. Sponsor will notify the Winners by the email associated with their submission that they have been chosen as a Winner in the Contest no later than November 14, 2025. Neither Sponsor nor its affiliates, or any of the foregoing parties’ officers, directors, employees, or agents shall have liability for a Winner’s failure to receive notice of the results, regardless of the reason, including without limitation failures due to spam, junk e-mail, or other security settings or due to the Participant providing incorrect, false, or otherwise inaccurate contact information. In the event of any of the following, the Prize for a Winner may be forfeited: (i) the Winner’s Entry is discovered to be invalid or noncompliant with the Official Rules for any reason whatsoever; (ii) the Winner or Parent either fails to comply with these Official Rules prior to delivery of the Prize or refuses the Prize; or (iii) the Winner cannot be contacted for any reason (including an email delivery failure), fails to claim Prize within five (5) days from the date that notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and notarized affidavit of eligibility and release as required by Sponsor and noted below.

Each Winner will be required to provide a Contest release (except where prohibited by law) and provide such other documents as Sponsor may reasonably require (“Release”). If any Winner fails or refuses to sign and return the Release within five (5) days of Prize notification (or such shorter time as exigencies may require), such Winner may be disqualified.

The receipt of the Prize by a Winner is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal and state laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF ANY OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY A WINNER (AS DETERMINED BY SPONSOR IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AND ALL PRIVILEGES, INCLUDING THE AWARD OF THE PRIZE, WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.

APPLICATION OF RULES; REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. By entering the Contest, Parent warrants that Parent has read and agrees to abide and be bound by these Official Rules, and Parent warrants and represents that (i) ) the Submission is comprised of narrative composed solely by Participant; (iii) the Submission is comprised of photos either created/taken by Participant or created/taken by Parent of Participant; (iv) the Submission will not infringe the intellectual property, publicity, or privacy rights of any third party.; and (v) the individual identified as Parent of a Participant is in fact the parent or guardian of such Participant and is at least 18 yrs old.

Parent agrees that Sponsor retains full authority, in its sole discretion, to interpret and administer these Official Rules and further agrees to be bound by all decisions and interpretations made in good faith by Sponsor. Sponsor shall have the absolute right to determine, without notice to the person attempting to enter, if a Submission is compliant with these Official Rules. If there is a dispute over the identity of a Participant, such Submission may be disqualified, as determined in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion.

PUBLICITY: By entering the Contest, each Winner and his/her Parent consent to the use of such Winner’s name, identity, image, likeness, and photographs for promotional purposes, including online announcements and social media posts without additional compensation or prior consent of Winner or Parent. The 1st Place Winner and Parent further agree (a) that the 1st Place Winner shall be made available for an interview with Sponsor, Sponsor’s representative, or a third-party chosen by Sponsor, and (b) that they consent to the posting and publication of such interview in any media, now known or later developed without additional compensation.

IRREGULARITIES; FORCE MAJEURE. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest if, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned due to any of the following that affects the administration, security, fairness, or integrity of the Contest: (i) operational issues and/or technical failures of any kind, formatting, tampering, unauthorized intervention, or fraud, or (ii) any other causes beyond Sponsor’s control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural or man-made epidemic of health, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity, war (declared or undeclared) or any federal state or local government law, order, or regulation, public health crisis, order of any court or jurisdiction (any of which is an “Irregularity”). In the case of an Irregularity, Sponsor may select the Finalists and Winners from all eligible Entries prior to the Irregularity (if appropriate). Any attempt by any Participant or Parent to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

GENERAL RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS. Upon uploading the Submission to enter the Contest, such Participant’s Parent hereby individually releases Sponsor, and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, and all of their respective directors, officers, governors, employees, shareholders, and agents (collectively, the “Releasees”) from any and all liability, claims, loss, harm, damage, costs, expenses, including without limitation, attorneys’ fees, and third party claims based on: (a) publicity and/or privacy rights, defamation, and intellectual property arising out of or related to the Submission; (b) Participant’s participation in the Contest; and (c) the redemption and/or use of any Prize, including personal injury and property damage even if caused or contributed to by the negligence of Releasees.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY; DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. Neither Sponsor, or any other Releasee shall be responsible for (a) lost, late, incomplete, illegible, incorrect, misdirected, stolen, misdirected, illegible, or incomplete Submissions; (b) inaccurate transcription of any entry or Submission information or for any human error, technical malfunctions, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any communications network, failures in connectivity, computer equipment, software, inability to access the Contest website or any online service,  failure to access the applicable social media website; (c) damage to a Participant’s or the Parent’s computer; (d) any other error or malfunction, whether caused by Releasees or any Contestant, or by any computer, technical, or human error or malfunction that may occur in the processing or judging of the Submissions, the administration of this Contest, or in the announcement of Prizes; or (e) the acceptance or use of a Prize (each, a “Contest Problem”).  Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify any individual who is found to be (w) tampering with (or have tampered with) the Submission or entry process, including the attempt to enter more than once, the Winner selection process, or the operation of the Contest; (x) using or attempting to use or submit false or fraudulent contact information, including fake names to create accounts and the like; (y) acting in a non-sportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent or apparent intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, embarrass, harm, or harass, in any way, any other person; or (z)otherwise be acting in violation of any provision in these Official Rules, including representations of eligibility or authorship rights in the Submission.  If, for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned by reason of, but not limited to, Contest Problems or Irregularities, such that Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion, deems could corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest, or the Contest is otherwise not capable of running as planned, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest.  Notice of such suspension or termination of the Contest will be posted on the Contest webpage.  If the Contest or any portion of the Contest is terminated before the end of the Contest Period, Sponsor may select Finalists and Winners from all eligible Submissions received as of the termination date of the Contest. IN NO EVENT WILL ANY RELEASEE BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES, CLAIMS, ACTIONS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, OR LIABILITY OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES RESULTING FROM OR ARISING FROM PARTICIPATION IN, OR THE PRODUCTION, PROMOTION, OR ADMINISTRATION OF, THE CONTEST, OR ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, MISUSE, OR NONUSE OF A PRIZE THAT MAY BE AWARDED, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.  WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, ALL PRIZES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.  SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.  CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.  ANY ATTEMPT BY A CONTESTANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS, AND SHOULD ANY SUCH ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

INDEMNIFICATION. You agree to indemnify and hold the Releasees harmless from any demands, loss, liability, claims or expenses (including attorneys’ fees) (collectively, “Losses”), made against or incurred by any Releasee due to or arising out of or in connection with: (a) your participation in the Contest; (b) your violation of these Official Rules or any applicable law or regulation; (c) your violation of any rights of any third party; or (d) any disputes or issues between you and any third party.

COPYRIGHT POLICY. We do not permit copyright infringing activities and infringement of intellectual property rights in this Contest and will disqualify any Submission that Sponsor reasonably believes to be an infringement of any third party. Any copyright owner or agent thereof who believes that any Submission infringes upon its rights may submit a notification pursuant to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act as set forth in our Website Terms.

PRIVACY NOTICE. By entering the Contest, each Parent hereby acknowledges that he/she has read Sponsor’s Privacy Policy related to the Contest.

GOVERNING LAW. Delaware law governs the operation of this Contest, these Official Rules, and the disclaimers made herein, regardless of another state’s choice of law principles. By entering this Contest, you agree to exclusive personal jurisdiction in the appropriate state or federal court residing in Wilmington, Delaware. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply.

CONTEST DISCLAIMER: THIS CONTEST IS IN NO WAY SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR ADMINISTERED BY, OR ASSOCIATED WITH, INSTAGRAM OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA SITE OR THIRD PARTY.