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Three Day Countdown!!

We are just THREE days away from our sixth annual Kayak for a Cure event at Jericho Beach, Vancouver.  We are all getting very excited to share this amazing day with all of you!

If you haven’t donated yet, but would like to, it’s not too late!  You can donate here.  We had to close registration a bit early this year, as we had filled all of our kayaks and for safety reasons, need to keep our numbers at 60.  With that said, if you still want to come down and cheer everyone on, or just join us for our bbq, we’d LOVE the support! 

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We will also all be kicking off the Kayak for a Cure weekend tomorrow (Friday) for our last Kayak for a Cure Pub Night at Manchesters (the old Frog and Firkin on West Broadway between Cypress and Maple Street).  Please join us, if you can!  The evening will start at 5:30pm for happy hour, and will go all night.

We’ll be launching our boats at Jericho Beach, just outside Ecomarine.  Our bbq, which will take place around 12pm, will happen at Locarno Beach, just on the West side of the Jericho Sailing Centre.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!!

Hope Floats

Posted On: August 25th, 2011 In: Uncategorized

Kayak for a Cure Partners with Manchester Eatery for PUB NIGHT!

Kayak for a Cure has just partnered with Manchester Eatery (the old Frog & Firkin on West Broadway, between Maple and Cypress) for a few upcoming events, including the following (details of each, below) – COME JOIN US and help us spread the word!

  • This Thursday’s PUB NIGHT (5:30pm, onwards)
  • Friday Night’s with David Blair (each Friday leading up to Kayak for a Cure Vancouver on August 28th)
  • Kayak for a Cure weekend KICK OFF, Friday, August 26th.

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THIS Thursday (August 4th) - Kayak for a Cure PUB NIGHT

- $5 cover charge
- Drink/food specials
- 50/50 draw

- Raffle draw, including the following prizes:

* $50 GC to Café Il Nido – one of Vancouver’s TOP restaurants

* TomTom EASE, navigation device

* HP travel accessories package (including: mini speakers, mini keyboard, HP headphones, and a QuickCam Pro 9000)
* 4 Tickets to ANY Canadians Game this summer

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FRIDAY NIGHTS (starting THIS Friday) leading up to Kayak for a Cure
- Donation at the door (whatever you like)
- LIVE music by David Blair (check his music out here, www.myspace.com/davidblair​songs – it’s AWESOME)
- 50/50 draws
- MORE raffle prizes, including:
* NIKE packages
* $50 Gift Certificate to the UBC Golf Club Pro Shop
* A bottle of Red and White (Winery TBC)
* MORE details to follow…

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Kayak for a Cure KICK OFF Weekend, Friday, August 26th

- $10 at the door
- FREE Pub Food from 5pm-8pm
- And everything else mentioned above, including live music by David Blair, drink specials, raffle prizes, and 50/50 drawings!

Come join us after work on one of these days… or ALL of these days!!  Please help us spread the word – the more the merrier!!!

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See you soon!

Hope Floats

Posted On: August 3rd, 2011 In: Uncategorized

Captain Consistency, Don Lowther (Victoria, BC)

Don Lowther has been around kayaking longer than most of us, combined.  And he’s good at it, too.  Kayak for a Cure™ and Don Lowther might as well be one in the same in the sense that he’s been around the organization since year #1 and leads his local kayaking community in Victoria, British Columbia on one of the most inspiring paddles of year.

Don also shows his support and makes the trip to Vancouver, BC and up to Comox Valley, BC every year to support his fellow Kayak for a Cure events.  From our perspective, Don’s a pretty quiet guy – actions speak.  With that, we’re pumped to ask him to finally ‘pipe-up!’ a bit so we can share his story on our blog.

KAYAK FOR A CURE VICTORIA

This is your 4th annual KAYAK FOR A CURE event in your local community – what motivated you to make this an annual event in the fight against cancer and how have you kept it going so long?

My motivation to bring Kayak For A Cure to Victoria and to make it an annual event was the loss of my mother to cancer in January of 2005; adding to that was the loss to cancer of my two grandmothers, a great grandmother my Aunt Evelyn and since starting the Victoria event my cousin Nicole and several respected colleagues.

What drives me now to continue this fight are not only those that have gone before us, but more importantly, those who are still here.
My daughter and her little sister, my niece, nephews, sisters, dad, family, friends, colleagues and millions of people I’ll never know or meet who ‘deserve’ a life free of the fear of cancer.

How did you learn about KAYAK FOR A CURE as an organization?

After my mom passed away I was on a 40 day kayak trip completing a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island; there was a great deal of time to think during those 40 days. I made up my mind during that trip that I was going to honour my mother’s life and memory by using kayaking to raise money to fight cancer. My mom was not a fan of small boats :-) , so would never have tried kayaking herself but through photographs I would take on my paddle adventures mom was able to experience the the beauty and freedom of the ocean environment that only a kayaker can truly understand. Those pictures I would store on the Flickr photo website and it was there that I came across the Vancouver Kayak For A Cure event pictures. From there I was able to track down Mark Starkey by email; we talked at length about the Kayak For A Cure vision by phone and then over  coffee in Kitsilano. My name was written all over this, I wanted to be a part of Kayak For A Cure and with help from Mark and his team we made it happen.

Kayak for a Cure Victoria

Tell us a bit about the local area in which you organize your local KAYAK FOR A CURE event?

To borrow a line from Blaine Brown, organiser of the Kayak For A Cure Comox Valley and a man for whom I hold tremendous respect and admiration, “Victoria is a paddler’s mecca” !
Here in Victoria you can’t travel more than 5 minutes without passing by a car with one or more kayaks on the roof heading for a put-in. Go to any beach or waterfront (we’re surrounded by waterfront) look out onto the water and you will invariably see kayakers. On one side of town we have the incredible southern Gulf Islands, across the Salish Sea behind them the majestic Mt. Baker stands watch in the background. Looking to the south ,we have a backdrop of the magnificent Olympic Mountains with Juan de Fuca Straight shimmering out in front.
It just doesn’t get any better than this for kayaking in your own back yard !

What is the goal for this year’s event?

The goal for the 4th Kayak For A Cure Victoria is the same as for the three that came before it; to attract good people to take part in a fun, safe and healthy day on the water while at the same time raising money to pay for the dedicated researchers and specialists supported by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Kayak For a Cure Don Lowther

Posted On: July 14th, 2011 In: Canada Events, Canada Kayaking Events, Leadership, Victoria

2nd Annual Kayak For a Cure™ Yukon Recap

In it’s second year, Kayak For a Cure™ Yukon hosts a fun-filled day on northern waters.  Led by Lead Volunteer, Judy Ratcliffe, the event raised over $5,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

18 paddlers braved the rainy conditions to paddle from Rotary Peace Park to the Takhini River Bridge raising over $5000.00 for cancer.  Many eagles were sighted along the route.  Some paddlers witnessed eagles attempting to attack baby goslings!  Refreshments were enjoyed at the bridge while waiting to load up and return to Robert Service Campground for a BBQ.  Thank you to Up North Adventures for providing kayaks and pick up transportation.   Luckily, the BBQ was held under a roofed sight.  Great home-made food was enjoyed by all in attendance.  Draw prizes rounded out the day’s events.

THANK  YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to Judy and her team in the Yukon for their 2nd Annual Event!  If you’d like more information about Kayak For a Cure™ Yukon or the becoming a volunteer, please contact Judy at Judy.Ratcliffe[at]yesnet.yk.ca

Kayak for a Cure YukonKayak for a Cure Yukon
Kayak for a Cure YukonKayak for a Cure YukonKayak for a Cure Yukon

Posted On: July 8th, 2011 In: Canada Events, Canada Kayaking Events, Yukon

5 Questions with Blaine Brown, our fearless leader organizing Kayak For a Cure™ Comox Valley

We caught up this week with Blaine Brown who has been organizing Kayak For a Cure™ Comox Valley up in British Columbia, Canada.  Blaine’s got a great story of hope, persistence and passion for kayaking that we noticed when he contacted us to be part of the Kayak For a Cure™ organization.

5 questinos with Blaine, below. You can connect with Blaine on facebook, here.

1) This is your second annual KAYAK FOR A CURE event in your local community – what motivated you to make this an annual event in the fight against cancer?

Our motivation stemmed from the overwhelming support we received throughout our work towards the first Kayak For A Cure event here in the Comox Valley. Planning and execution of our first event took place during my own fight with Cancer. I was in direct contact with the front lines of the people fighting their own battle with Cancer, as well as the committed medical personnel behind them. This opened my eyes not only to the scale of what we are fighting, but it’s great reach, and the resources needed to go to battle with it.

Kayak For a Cure™ Comox Valley
2) How did you learn about KAYAK FOR A CURE as an organization?

I first learned about the Kayak For A Cure organization through some research of my own. After my diagnosis I witnessed first hand the exceptional treatment available locally. My family and I decided we needed to give something back. I began to look at different charitable events locally when I came across the Kayak For A Cure organization. Being avid paddlers, Kayak For A Cure was the perfect fit.

3) Tell us a bit about the local area in which you organize your local KAYAK FOR A CURE event (i.e. has great paddling, geography, number of people, large kayaking community, wildlife, etc)?

The Comox Valley is a paddlers mecca. Whether it’s white water, lakes, river or ocean, we have access to it all. Surrounded by the Insular Mountain Range on Vancouver Island and the Coast Mountains on the mainland, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Our community maintains two dedicated paddling shops which supply gear, rentals, guides, and expertise all with a small town feel. We are surrounded by a large paddling community here, which allows for a great chance to grow in the sport. A typical paddle here in the Valley will expose the diverse wildlife abundant in our area. It’s not uncommon to see Seals, Sea Lions, Bear, Deer, Eagles, Jellyfish, Sea Stars, Whales and Shellfish of all types.

4) Who are YOU paddling for this year in your local KAYAK FOR A CURE event?

This year I am paddling for all the people I met during my own treatment. Some are still battling the disease, some are in remission, and some who have sadly passed on.

5) What is the goal for this year’s event (i.e. number of paddlers, dollars raised, lots of smiles, anything you’d like to highlight in the article)?

The goal for this year’s event is the same as it is for every Kayak For A Cure event across North America. To eradicate this disease which has affected us all. We plan on working as hard as we can to raise funds, awareness and spirit. We also aim to increase our exposure in the community, getting people interested in our event while educating young people on the importance of early detection of this disease. I was only 39 when diagnosed and met none of the markers for the type of Cancer I have. Finally, huge smiles, a really fun day on the water, and a chance for some to take an afternoon and remember someone they may have lost to Cancer.

Kayak For a Cure™ Comox Valley 2

Posted On: June 29th, 2011 In: Uncategorized

You’re not alone anymore – Register a Kayak for a Cure TEAM!

It’s a GORGEOUS day in Vancouver – the sun is bursting, people are out and about, and there doesn’t seem to be a cloud in the sky.  A perfect day to hit the water!

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As we ramp up for Kayak for a Cure Vancouver (August 28th), we’ve decided to provide a new option for fundraising this year – team fundraising! It’s a fun option that may make raising money, a bit easier… and potentially more creative.  We see a lot of bake sales, pub nights, and art shows in our future.
Register your team, or just yourself, here.

We’re just nine weeks out, so let’s start cranking and reach our goal of $50,000 for Vancouver!

Hope Floats

Posted On: June 26th, 2011 In: Uncategorized

Kayak for a Cure’s Floating Hope

It’s been six years since Kayak for a Cure was born… hard to believe.  What’s even more hard to believe, is how amazing our followers and paddlers have been!  Each year, since inception, we have grown in the number of paddlers, in the number of events, and in our fundraising efforts.  We are blowing it out of the water! … pardon the pun. ;)

This year proves no different, in fact, we’re going to up the anty.  We know our paddlers… and we know we can do it!  Come join the Vancouver flagship event and help us raise $50,000 for Inspire Health.  In order to make this happen, we’re asking each paddler to be responsible for raising a minimum of $500… and oddly enough, this is much easier than you think - find 25 friends to donate $20, or 10 friends to donate $50…. throw a party, have a bake sale…. it’ll happen quick and we can’t WAIT to share in the excitement, when we do.

Kramer and Simon fundraising at our Kayak for a Cure tent at Paddlefest 2010

Kramer and Simon fundraising at our Kayak for a Cure tent at Paddlefest 2010

Feel free to give us a shout if you need some fundraising tips, we’ve got some good ideas!

Be sure to register soon… and spread the word to your friends and family – let’s make 2011 the BEST year yet!

- Hope Floats -

Posted On: June 8th, 2011 In: Uncategorized

Vancouver event hits the waters of English Bay with high hopes (Vancouver, BC) – June 9, 2011

Vancouver, British Columbia (June 9, 2011) – Marking its sixth annual event, Kayak for a Cure will take to the waters of Jericho Beach on August 28th for their annual kayaking adventure across English Bay. The fundraiser, which has spawned six regional events across North America since its conception in 2006, will continue to raise funds to help fight the battle against cancer.

Over the past six years, Kayak for a Cure has raised nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars for both cancer research and family emergency funding for patients living with cancer. Born out of Vancouver, BC, Kayak for a Cure has spread across the country and into the United States and hosts approximately 200 paddlers across North America. With the flagship event taking place each year in Vancouver, BC, regional events can be found in: Victoria, BC; Comox Valley, BC; Yukon, NWT; Mississauga, ON; and Columbus, OH.

“Kayak for a Cure is more than just one day out of the year. It’s a community and a network of inspiring individuals from all walks of life. We all have a story, some deeper than others’, but we’re all here for the same reasons – to do our part in the fight against this horrible disease.” Jane Sparrow, 4th time Kayak for a Cure participant.

Kayak for a Cure is a day-long event starting in the early morning with breakfast and a team demonstration. The event is open to paddlers of all levels, each responsible for fundraising a minimum of $500. Paddlers are placed into pods, determined on their level of experience and comfort, and are guided across English Bay by certified Ecomarine staff. The Vancouver paddle which takes approximately three hours to complete, is followed by a beach barbeque back at Jericho Beach, where friends and family are welcome to join!

This year, 100% of the proceeds from the Vancouver Kayak for a Cure event will go to benefit Inspire Health, Vancouver’s integrated cancer care centre.

About Kayak for a Cure™

Kayak for a Cure™ (www.kayakforacure.org) is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC Canada with events in Victoria, BC; Columbus, Ohio; Comox Valley, BC; Mississauga, ON; the Yukon, NWT. Established in 2006, Kayak for a Cure™ is a volunteer-based, non-profit society dedicated to organizing fun, safe and charitable outdoor experiences that raise funds for both the Canadian and American Cancer Society, respectively, and Vancouver’s Inspire Health.

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For more information on how to get involved, visit www.kayakforacure.org or contact Whitney Stanford at 778-836-3659, whitney.stanford@hillandknowlton.ca.

Kayak for a Cure Vancouver Charity Kayaking Events

Posted On: June 8th, 2011 In: BC Cancer Agency, Canada Events, Canada Kayaking Events, Community, Event, Vancouver

Kayak for a Cure™ Vancouver … here we go!

Welcome back Kayak for a Cure™ Paddlers!

2011 will mark Kayak for a Cure’s sixth year putting smiles on faces and bringing communities together to help support families living with cancer.  With five events across North America this year, Kayak for a Cure is planning to raise a collective $100,000 in 2011 - come join us!!

This year our Vancouver flagship event has partnered with Inspire Health and will be donating 100% of the Vancouver profits towards this world leader in cancer care.  Inspire Health is located in Vancouver and has been a long time Kayak for a Cure supporter.  The centre focuses on patients’ health using an integrated approach that combines nutrition, exercise, emotional and spiritual support, in addition to standard cancer treatments.  This year, Kayak for a Cure is looking forward to supporting THEM.  To learn more, check out their site, here: http://www.inspirehealth.ca/

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We are all very excited to begin the ramp up for Kayak for a Cure 2011 and look forward to seeing all of your familiar and NEW faces this year!  Hurry and sign up early, as always there is a limited amount of boats available!

Hope Floats.

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Posted On: June 6th, 2011 In: Uncategorized

Happy Holidays from Kayak for a Cure™

kayak for a cure - charity kayak event USA

Posted On: December 24th, 2010 In: Canada Events, Community, Holiday, Ohio, Social, Uncategorized, United States, Vancouver, Victoria, Yukon
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