This year's challenge (described below) brings us 31 days of opportunity to row meters - and, an opportunity to row enough meters to help Concept2 reach its goal of $30,000 for disaster relief, a donation Concept2 makes based on the number of meters rowed. This truly is a challenge where more is better....because once you pass the 100K mark, your meters are worth twice as much in the Concept2 donation to match our meters. Also note that our adaptive athletes, and kids under 16, can begin to earn this double your money rate starting at 50K...and we know that our Luna-Tic adaptive athletes can outrow just about anyone! We also know that this will be about the toughest $2 you ever earned (that's the donation for 100K rowed). In fact, this will give you a whole new perspective on what a $20 donation might look like.
This could be the year.....Concept2 has always had the goal of $30,000 for the Holiday Chalenge...and so far, this goal has not been achieved. I'm going to put out a call to ALL the rowers, and all the teams and say "let's make it so." Concept2's notes in the logbook section say that there are 20,688 active members this season ... and something on the order of over 1200 affiliations. If just 15,000 active members met the 100K goal, that $30K would be on its way to funding Vermont disaster relief. And you could enjoy your holiday celebrations with little worry about caloric intake!
Now the challenge says it's an individual challenge, but we've sure learned that there is a lot of power to make things happen when we row as part of a team. I encourage those of you who row at a gym to ask them to post the downloadable Holiday Challenge poster. Perhaps they'll even join our team!
Holiday Challenge
The Details
Row and/or ski 100,000 meters or 200,000 meters from November 24 to 11:59 p.m. ET December 24.
You do not need to be on a team to participate! Log your individual meters.
Indoor rower and SkiErg meters only (no on water/on snow meters please). You can combine meters from each machine to reach the challenge goal.
Kid's Holiday Challenge allows kids (aged 16 and under) to participate at 50,000 meters.
Adaptive athletes can choose to participate at the 50k, 100k, or 200k levels.
Deadline for entering meters: January 4th, 2012.
Row or Ski for Disaster Relief
For the 2011 Holiday Challenge, we'll be rowing and skiing for disaster relief organizations, both international and in our home state of Vermont, which was hit very hard by Hurricane Irene.
For every person who completes at least 100k during the challenge, Concept2 will donate $.02 for each kilometer (1000 meters) you accumulate to your choice of the following organizations:
Vermont Disaster Relief Fund
American Red Cross Disaster Relief (International)
Unicef—Emergency Relief Programs
Once you get beyond 100k, we'll donate $.04 per kilometer (for kids and adaptive athletes, the $.04 rate will take effect at 50k). The usual prizes of pin and certificate will be awarded as well.
Our goal through this group effort is to raise $30,000 to support these causes, and every bit adds up! Since adding the donation component to the 2008 Holiday Challenge, together we've raised over $80,000 for many great causes!
How to Participate
You must have an Online Logbook at concept2.com (it's FREE!) and all of your meters must be entered into your Online Logbook. If you don't already have one, visit the Online Logbook home page, click Register under New User and follow the directions. Kids Challenge participants need to set up an individual logbook (using a parent's email address is fine).
Under the Profile tab, enter your current mailing address. This is to ensure we have your correct mailing address for mailing your pin (see below for how to qualify).
Incentives and Rewards
The incentives and rewards available depend on which goal you achieve. Here's how it works.
200k, 50k Kids, and Adaptive
Participants who complete 200,000 meters, kids who complete 50,000 meters, and adaptive athletes who complete at least 50,000 meters are entitled to the following incentives and rewards:
A free downloadable certificate of achievement
A free downloadable heat transfer for making your own Holiday Challenge-wear
A free Holiday Challenge pin: Pins are sent automatically to the address on file in your Online Logbook. Please ensure you have entered a valid address in order to receive your pin.
Access to the Holiday Challenge shop through our third-party fulfillment vendor
100k Finishers
Participants who complete 100,000 meters are entitled to the following incentives and rewards:
A free downloadable certificate of achievement
A free downloadable heat transfer for making your own Holiday Challenge-wear
Access to the Holiday Challenge shop through our third-party fulfillment vendor
I got it in the house, but it is going to be a challenge getting it upstairs. If only I could harness some erg power 
Jay 23,000 m
Ron 42,195 m
