You bet! There will be awards for the: Top TWO individual fundraisers Top fundraising team Fastest youth team Fastest team Best Team Costume Each youth participant will receive a chocolate participation medal!! Every team member is entered into a draw to win a three-piece Red Paddle Co. travel paddle. In addition, $100 Coastline Surf and Sport gift certificates will be presented to each of the four members of the first team that raises $1,000!!

July 7th, Willows Beach (on the beach at the south end of Esplanade Street near the washrooms) The following event schedule is subject to change. Check the event Facebook page closer to the time for any schedule updates.

Stand Up Paddleboarding is an easy sport to learn by anyone! There will be easy boards for beginners. If you would like to learn or improve your paddling skills before the event, contact Brian Raymer at South Island SUP (778-679-1423, braymer2@gmail.com) to schedule a discounted $20 one-hour intro to Stand Up Paddleboarding lesson. Mention you are participating in the Pink Paddles for Cancer Research event.

The event is being held in the shallow waters at Cadboro Bay. You do not need to know how to swim but you should be comfortable in the water. Life jackets must be worn and will be provided.

The event will proceed, rain or shine provided the wind is conducive to safe, fun paddling. Bob Purdy paddled 2,100 consecutive days so nothing is going to keep us from having a FUN-filled day!

It is a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Sprint Relay Race in a team challenge format. The event was the vision of Bob Purdy, a local SUP enthusiast who raised awareness around environmental stewardship and being kind to one another. The event is a means to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation in the area of nutrition research that was of importance to Bob who unfortunately lost his challenge with cancer. The event will be held at Willows Beach on July 7 at the same time as the Six Pack SUP race series' Victoria SUP Challenge and will be a feature of the MEC Paddlefest.

Teams of four will compete for bragging rights in a Sprint Race that will take each team member out 50m from the beach, around a buoy, and back to hand off their board to the next paddler. There will be multiple heats to determine the fastest team. Four teams will compete per heat. When all four teams have paddled the heat will end. The top 2 teams will advance to the next heat. Teams will race in at least 2 races. There will also be bonus races on the Red Dragon four-person board and other fun relays (time permitting).

Wear a costume to show your team spirit! A prize for Best Team Costumes will be awarded! Be prepared to have FUN and get wet so wear a bathing suit or quick dry clothing, and bring a change of clothing. It’s easiest to go barefoot on the board.

Anyone can form a team (for example, corporate, family, friends, racers, non-racers, or youth (all members must be under 18 to form a Youth Team)). We encourage teams to have at least one female paddler per team.

Yes, all spectators are welcome and can even form a last minute team! Invite your friends and family to come cheer you on. There will be a BBQ hosted by Surfrider Foundation Vancouver Island that will be by donation.

No, all paddling equipment will be provided (boards, paddles, and life jackets).

Team registration is FREE! We just ask that you make a donation to BC Cancer Foundation online (bring receipt to the race; http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/pinkpaddlesforresearch) or onsite at the BC Cancer Foundation tent. Suggested donation, minimum $40 per adult team; $20 per youth team (all team members under 18).

First identify your team members, your Team Captain, and your team name. Then have your Team Captain register your team for the race (the link will take you to the Webscorer race registration page). Upon registering for the race, your Team Captain will receive an automatic confirmation email, which will have instructions and a link to register for the fundraising portion of the event. Please read ‘How do I register for the event fundraising?’ below as there are specific details you need to know.

Team Fundraising Step 1: If you are on a team, have your Team Captain register for the race first (see instructions for “How do I register for the race?” above). Step 2: Upon registering your team for the race, your Team Captain will receive an automatic confirmation email with the BC Cancer Foundation’s event fundraising page link where they can register your team for the fundraising portion of this event. Step 3: Once your Team Captain has set up your team page, they can share the BC Cancer Foundation’s event fundraising page link with other members on the team so they can join the team, create their own event fundraising page and begin their individual fundraising as part of the team. By being on a team you have a chance to win a prize for top individual fundraiser and top fundraising team! Individual Fundraising If you are not on a team and want to fundraise, you can create your own event fundraising page through the BC Cancer Foundation’s event fundraising page. If you decide to join a team afterward, we can move you to the team of your choice. If you need any assistance with team or individual fundraising registration, please contact Debbie at BC Cancer Foundation debbie.greenway@bccancer.bc.ca Thank you for your support of this important cause and we wish you all the best with your fundraising efforts!

Yes! We really appreciate your generosity to do so. You can make a direct donation through the BC Cancer Foundation’s event fundraising page. Donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.

Bob Purdy’s vision was to raise money to support continued cancer research in the area of nutrition to shine a light on the importance of healthy food to people arm-wrestling cancer.

Our goal is to raise $10,000, but the sky’s the limit! The top TWO individual fundraisers and the top fundraising team will receive prizes so there’s good incentive to raise as much as you possibly can so challenge your team mates. It’s all for a great cause and we are grateful for your efforts.

We would love some high-energy volunteers to help out with duties such as morning set up, miscellaneous duties throughout the day, and event take-down at approximately 4:00pm. Please contact us at pinkpaddles4cancerresearch@gmail.com for more information and to sign-up as a volunteer.

Absolutely! We have a few different ways you can sponsor our event. Please contact us at pinkpaddles4cancerresearch@gmail.com for more information.