CENTRAL SAANICH — A group of friends are inviting paddlers from Greater Victoria to Brentwood Bay next month for a 24-hour event to support victims of cancer.
The Monster and Sea 24-Hour Paddle for Cancer takes place April 14 and 15 with three teams and 19 participants. Using stand-up paddleboards, the participants will take turns on the water, taking off from Pacifica Paddle Sports in Brentwood Bay over 24 hours. Organizers are inviting paddlers, in any type of vessel, to come out or lend a hand.
Monster and Sea founder Troy Nebeker started it in Seattle in 2015 and instead of forming a foundation or official charity, put fundraising in the hands of people who wish to donate directly to families struggling with cancer. Donated are put in envelopes of $1,000 and “quietly slipped into the hands of deserving families.”
The Brentwood Bay event is being led by Victoria team captain Pam Martin.
The event consists of a relay. Each team has six paddlers and everything gets started at 8 a.m. on the first day. Organizers say it’s important to choose a team well, for the event goes rain or shine.
Each team raises money for their local community, according to an event FAQ sheet.
“Think grass roots, on the ground help. No red tape, foundations or questions of where does the money actually go.”
Team captains open up a GoFundMe page and once the event is over and money raised, “you can either delivery the envelope in person or just slip it under the doormat and walk away.”
To learn more check out the hashtag #gobecauseyou can, or call Pam Martin at 905-334-7360 or visit the GoFundMe page.