NATCHEZ — Huck Finn could raft down the Mississippi river, so what’s keeping the Phatwater Kayak Challenge from being able to do the same? Money, that’s what.

Although the race has grown in numbers every year and has survived interference from hurricanes, the Phatwater Kayak Challenge may be in jeopardy in the future.

Founder Keith Benoist is looking for $15,000 to $20,000 to fund the race.

According Benoist, the race is looking to get away from having to solicit the community and participants for funding. Rather, Benoist said he’s hoping he can draw in corporate sponsors to help keep the race alive and well.

“I felt it was important for us to no longer ask for public handouts,” Benoist said. “It’s time to ask for corporate sponsorships.”

Benoist said the race has relied entirely on local businessmen to front the bill.

While a good idea in theory, the Phatwater Kayak Challenge has had a hard time gaining corporate sponsorships.

“It’s been a bit of a struggle,” Benoist said. “Eventually they’ll be throwing money at us I predict. But right now, we don’t even know who the right people are to talk to.”

Benoist said he’s received some promises from companies, but “we don’t have any cash in the bank yet.”

In search of funding, Benoist has also contacted the Natchez Tourism Department.

Tourism Director Connie Taunton said that while Natchez doesn’t immediately have the money Benoist is looking for, she has contacted the state division of tourism.

“They’ve told me they’re going to have to see if they have any funding left,” she said.

Taunton said their fiscal year has ended and they not sure if they’re going to be able to work the challenge into their budget.

While Taunton said she couldn’t help directly with funding, she’s going to try and help with things like transportations and public bathrooms.

As it is, the Challenge charges racers $45 to participate. Included in the entry fee are an original artwork T-shirt and meals and beverages.

About the Phatwater Kayak Challenge

Pending funding, the seventh annual Phatwater Kayak Challenge is set to take place October 11 on the Mississippi River between Grand Gulf and Natchez.

Traditionally it has been a one-day event, however Benoist said he’s hoping to turn it into a week-long must-attend event in the paddling world.

Starting this year, Benoist is expanding the event.

“Following this year’s race, we’re hoping to have a demo day where people from the community can come out and paddle a kayak and see what it’s like,” Benoist said.

“It’ll give locals an opportunity to learn a little more about what it’s like.”

To spice things up, the Challenge has cash prizes for those who can post Challenge records.

Last year Benoist offered $1,000 for the first person to break four hours. Mike Herbert of Rogers, Ark. came close — with a time of 4:15:55 — but not close enough.

Because no one has surpassed the four-hour mark, Benoist rolled the money over to this year’s race and plans to give the first person to break the mark $2,000.

Benoist is expecting 125 paddlers this year, including two or three former Olympians.

Last year, the Challenge had 109 paddlers in 89 different crafts.

In the beginning

The concept for the race began innocently enough, with a few friends sitting around, having beers, and trying to “kick Natchez out of the past” while promoting the Mississippi River as an eco-tourism resource, Benoist said.

In the first race in 2002, just 11 people participated.