Bob had a vision to give back to the BC Cancer Foundation that supported him through his fight with cancer, specifically to support continued cancer research in the area of nutrition to, in his words, ‘shine a light on the importance of healthy food to people arm-wrestling cancer’. His Pink Paddles for Cancer Research Fundraising and SUP Team Relay Event was his way to do that. Sadly, Bob did not get to see his vision come to life so the SUP community and the BC Cancer Foundation have come together to carry through with his vision and to pay tribute to Bob.
Early this year the stand up paddling (SUP) community lost a dear friend and true leader, Bob Purdy, to cancer. Our ‘elder in training’, as he called himself. Bob inspired us with his calls to action. Under his Paddle for the Planet banner, he committed to paddle 1,000 consecutive days to ‘Change the Way we Live on the Planet’; he exceeded his goal and paddled 2,100 days until he had to stop to address health issues that included cancer.
His World Paddle for the Planet events took place around the world over the past six years. A passionate voice for the planet, he was often seen wearing a pink tutu while paddling; a symbolic gesture for those without a voice. Paddle for the Planet evolved into Pink Paddles, as an expression of his voice. In his words: ‘A request to change the way we treat each other and all the living creatures we share this amazing Planet with; and change the way we treat Mother Earth who is suffering a tremendous amount of abuse and cries every day for the abuse to stop.’
