by Dara Hill
Why stand-up paddle for twenty-four hours straight? Dorothy Jordan, paddle team captain would say “because we can, for others who can’t.”
Jordan and her team of five others will set sail with twenty-four other groups from across Canada and the United States for the Monster & Sea 24-hour paddle to raise money for families dealing with cancer.
The goals of the event are simple, Jordan said.
“Have fun, inspire your community, and raise some grassroots funds to help families dealing with the chaos that cancer causes,” she said.
The continent-wide event will begin at 8:00 a.m. on April 14 and conclude a full twenty-four hours later — 8:00 a.m. April 15. The local team will head out on Nicola Lake from Nicola Lakeshore Estates.
“Each and every one of us [is] feeling very connected to the cause in some way and each are extremely humbled to be a part of the Monster and Sea 24,” she said.
The event is “an opportunity to ‘paddle with a purpose,’ sharing time on the water, doing something we love, to give back what we can, because we can,” she added.
Last year’s Nicola Valley 24-hour paddle. Participants faced winds of 25-30km winds for the first ten hours.
Monster & Sea 24-hour paddle was born in 2015 when six paddlers out of Seattle, Wash. set out for 24 hours on the water to raise money for families dealing with cancer — the “monster.”
It has since spread across Canada and the U.S., and has received support here in the Nicola Valley.
“Last year Team Nicola Valley raised over $5,000.00 and helped five local families, ” Jordan said.
“Donations are still being accepted, and in fact, donations continue throughout the year,” she added.
Last year’s event raised $145,00 across Canada and the U.S., according to their GoFundMe page.
Donations are distributed in $1,000 increments to families in need, leaving it up to the family to determine the best use of the funds, Jordan explained.
“This isn’t about research, this isn’t about finding a cure, this doesn’t go to a charity. This is cash, in an envelope, put in the hands of folks who need it,” she said.
She encouraged anyone in the community to come out and join the event.
“Support comes in many forms, so if you are unable to make a donation, we welcome you to come out and join us for paddle around the lake,” she said.
“I am honoured to be a part of this amazing 24 hour event and Captain a team again, in my community this year. Paddling is what I love. If I can make a difference and give back, doing and sharing what I love within my community, nothing could be more fulfilling.”
