This year’s Kiteboarding 4 Cancer, the world’s largest windsport fundraiser, finished its third annual event, raising $61,000 for regional cancer programs. Having raised over $150,000 for Gorge and Northwest cancer programs since its first year, KB4C has brought kiteboarding into the spotlight of mainstream action sports and fundraising communities.

KB4C athletes endured 6-hours of the challenging conditions of big swell and blasting winds, representing the battle that those with cancer endure daily in fighting the disease. The Standup Paddle Race was equally challenging with swell, currents, and head wind for those paddling the 2 hour endurance challenge. New for 2009, the Slider 4 Cancer drew the top local park-style riders to hit the 62-foot box in front of the event site.

Results:

Kite Derby Endurance Race Top Finishers:

“Grom” 24 laps
Alex Bloechinger 24 laps
Cynthia Brown 24 laps
Carl Davidson 23 laps
Tom Dawson 22 laps

Standup Paddle (SUP) Endurance Race Top Finishers:

Craig Bishop 11 laps
Doug Hopkins 10 laps
Ozzie Lenzsch 10 laps
Kent Forrest 9 laps
Victoria Hopkins 8 laps

Slider Top Expression Sessions:

Dylan Thompson
Gene Kishinevsky
Ian Daly
Joby Cook
Chris Trepamber

Top Teams:

1. Team Pro Leisure: Tony Bolstad, Sam Bolstad, Grom, Alex Bloechinger – 86 laps
2. Team 2nd Wind Sports: Pepi Gerald, Anna Webber, Nate Appel, Jason Wynn – 59 laps

Additional events at KB4C included the Live & Silent auctions, All Day Live Music Stage, Full Sail BBQ & Beer Garden, Raffle, Children’s Healing Art Project Tent and Awards party.

The John Wayne Cancer Foundation was instrumental in helping KB4C put on this year’s event. JWCF has supported KB4C since the beginning of the event in 2007, embracing the enthusiasm, health and energy contributions of the action sports community to give in the fight against cancer. The John Wayne Cancer Foundation is matching Kiteboarding 4 Cancer’s donations to our beneficiaries for 2009.

Kiteboarding 4 Cancer has researched many deserved and impactful cancer programs to benefit from donor funding to come up with 4 amazing organizations that drive cancer research, awareness, prevention and treatment programs in the Pacific Northwest and west coast:

• Children’s Healing Art Project – Bringing the healing power of art to kids with cancer — Portland, OR
• The Next Door Inc. – Breast Cancer Prevention Program – Hood River, OR
• Children’s Hospital of Seattle — Child Life Program – Seattle, WA
• Celilo Cancer Center — Uncompensated Care Program –The Dalles, OR

Kiteboarding 4 Cancer was founded by a group of Northwest kiteboarders to unite the kiteboarding unity and those in need for a great cause. Kiteboarding 4 Cancer is dedicated to bringing the healing power of wind and water to those affected by cancer through funding of advocacy, awareness, and prevention programs. KB4C raises funds through our annual Kiteboarding 4 Cancer and Stand-Up Paddle 4 Cancer events in Hood River, Oregon.

Kiteboarding 4 Cancer is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, IRS tax ID #42-1737854. We fund our event and charities solely through tax-deductible contributions from private individuals, corporations and foundations.

KB4C on Facebook : Kiteboarding 4 Cancer
KB4C on Twitter : Kiteboarding 4 Cancer
KB4C Official Website : KB4C.org

Just when we thought KB4C couldn’t get any better, it did. Participants pumped up their kites and the clouds parted  as 125 kiteboarders and about 20 standup paddlers took to the windy conditions and swell-blanketed waters of the Columbia for the 3rd annual event. Through athlete fundraising, silent and live auctions, a raffle, and beer and food sales, participants raised over $58,000 for cancer programs: Celilo Cancer Center, The Next Door Inc., Children’s Healing Art Project, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, and Children’s Hospital Seattle.

Thank you to our sponsors…

John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Dakine, Liquid Force Kiteboarding, Amundson Designs, Transcend Apparel, 2nd Wind Sports, Gorge Performance, Windance, Mystic, Oregon Screen Impressions, NSI, Real Watersports, Best Kiteboarding, Elemental Herbs, Full Sail Brewing, Apple Valley BBQ, Express Color, Progression, Ben Wilson Surf, Gorge Delights, Water from the Hood, Cascade Kiteboarding, Spleen, Slingshot, SDS Lumber, The Slider Project, South Bank Kitchen, Big Pappa’s, Gorge Catering, Freelance Imaging, and GoPro.

And Silent Auction donors…

COR Cellars, Palapas Ventana, Urban Flora, ikitesurf, Twiggs, Discover Bicycles, Lexx’s Auto Detailing, White Mountain Wellness, Zella’s Shoes & Fashion, Windance, Cascade Eye Center, Naked Winery, Slingshot, Hanna’s Great Dog Store, Native Eyewear, Apple Valley BBQ, Walmart, Les Schwab, Progression, Promotion, The Next Door Inc., KeriWear, Living Green, Garret Zallen, Cookshack Smokers, Jerry Tomasek, Henry Rico, Quenett Winery, Columbia Laser Skin Center, Ben Wilson Surf, Cascade Accupuncture, Skull Candy, Brian’s Windsurfing/Kiteboarding, Big Pappas, Celilo Cancer Center.

Setting up in the morning before the start.

Photo by Henry Rico
Painting cars and tarp at Children’s Healing Art Project tent.

Photo: Colby OteroChildren’s Healing Art Project crew. Photo by Henry Rico

Cynthia “Cynbad” Brown proudly wears her “Stop Cancer” shorts
1st Place Fundraiser Jason Wynn. Riding for Irv Stein. Photo by Colby Otero
The Eyes of Cancer. Art by Nathan Hannah. Photo by Henry Rico
Photo by Colby Otero
SUP Endurance Racers charge downwind at the start of the race.Portland Band Mere Mention on stage. Photo by Henry Rico
Dylan Thompson on the Slider. Photo by Henry Rico
Irv Stein, Cancer Survivor and 2nd place winner of 2008 KB4C, with son, Ari.
Lots of love at Kiteboarding 4 Cancer
SUP Endurance Race Winners Doug, Ozzie, and Craig
The organizers of KB4C and SUP4C.
How much are you willing to donate for a “Frankatini?”
The top fundraisers show off their prizes.
Top 3 Kite Endurance Race Winners: Carl Davidson, Grom, Alex Bloechinger

12:15-1:15:  Mere Mention – Portland. Find them on http://www.myspace.com/meremention

2:15-3:15: Climatize – Portland. Find their music at http://www.myspace.com/climatizeband

4:15-5:15: Surf Vipers -Hood River. Find their music on http://www.myspace.com/thesurfvipers

8:00 – 10pm: Shades of Society – Bend, http://www.myspace.com/shadesofsociety

Friday, Aug. 7

5:30-7:00 pm:     Athlete Check-in
6:00-8 pm:     Silent Auction Open
7:00 pm:     Athletes & Volunteer Dinner

Saturday, Aug. 8

8-9:15 am:     Athlete Check-in
9:30 am: Riders Meeting for all Kiteboard & Standup Riders!!!
10:00 am:     Kite Derby Endurance Race Start
10:30 am:     Stand-Up Paddle Endurance Race Start
12:15-1:15    Band: Mere Mention on Stage
1 pm:     SUP Short Course Races
2:15-3:15    Band: Climatize on Stage
2-4 pm:     Slider 4 Cancer Sessions!!!
4:15-5:15:    Band: The Surf Vipers
4:30 pm:   KB4C Endurance Race Kite Derby ends.
5 pm:     SUP Team Full Contact Race
5:45 pm:      Silent Auction Closes
6:00 pm:   Live Auction
6:30 pm: KB4C & SUP4C Awards
6:45-7:45 pm:   BBQ Dinner from Apple Valley BBQ!!
8:00 pm:   Band: TBA!!!

General All-Day
9:00 am – 6:00 pm:     Silent & Live Auction
11 am – 10 pm:     Live Music Stage
Noon – 9 pm:     BBQ & Full Sail Brewing Tent
9:00 am – 6:00 pm:     Children’s Healing Art Project Tent, Kids Bounce House
10:00 am – 6:00 pm:     Massage & First Aid Tent

I copied this Athlete Profile from Jason Wynn’s profile — he is one of the many kiteboarders riding in Kiteboarding 4 Cancer on Saturday. Jason’s story about Irv is inspiring and moving… and why I included it in the blog.

“I have known Irv for 5 years, and in those five years we have become best friends. He has watched my kids grow and helped me get sober and I have seen him and Sabrina bring their son into the world. We love two talk about busnies and where we will be in the years to come. We share the same passion for the finer things in life. We kiteboard together all the time where ever it is windy – no matter the time of year, or how cold it is. It is hard to keep us off the water. Irv and I both competed in KB4C last year, and Irv placed 2nd after having one cancer surgery – what a defeat! Now after one year since his original surgery, Irv has cancer again, and had to have yet another surgery. After the second surgery, he, Sabrina and their son, Ari, had to move to Texas for treatment for 9 weeks.

I am participating for KB4C in honor of Irv. My goal is to win it for him this year, and his goal is to do 1 lap at KB4C. Irv has returned from Texas, and looks great after 1 week home. He got the ok to go kiting, is making steps towards a full recover, and is concentrating on his health.

Thank you for taking the time to read this – it means a lot to me. I hope you can help out by donating to a great cause. go to kb4c.org and click on athlete and I am in there under jason wynn.”

Need I say more? With 5 days left to the event, Kiteboarding 4 Cancer and SUP 4 Cancer athletes have already succeeded in making this event a huge success, having raised over $10,000. Thanks everyone!! To check out the athletes that are charging it, go to the website to see all the athlete profiles!

These local retailers are stepping up to give back to their community and help fight cancer. Each retailer has donated time, resources, and items to the cause… and even some team riders to ride for their team. Please support the local retailers who support this event.

We are thrilled to once again have the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and Team Duke join us in partnership to put on Kiteboarding 4 Cancer!!

John Wayne Cancer Foundation is donating a Hawaiian Pro Designs Takayama Ali’i I 11′6 Standup Paddle Board to Kiteboarding 4 Cancer to give away as the top fundraising prize on August 8th!

To register for KB4C and SUP4C, go to our website here and register for a profile page to raise funds for the cause. Only 2 weeks left to the event!

JWCF is a strong supporter of the athletic community’s determination and passion to give to this cause, and we are thrilled to have them on our team. The mission of the John Wayne Cancer Foundation is to bring courage, strength, and grit to the fight against cancer. To be a part of the team, go to Team Duke!

Amundson SUP and Northsports has donated a 11′0 Standup Board to the top Raffle Prize winner at KB4C!! Here is the low down on the board:

Superlight model is light, thin, and great in the surf. It’s also a kick on lake waves and very user friendly.  This light weight Amundson SUP board is easier to handle out of the water too.. . Sports great surfing qualities, thin rails and lots of rocker. Soft top makes this easy care, great traction.

Buy your raffle tickets on Friday, August 7th and Saturday, August 8th at the Hood River Event Site!!

Kiteboarding 4 Cancer teamed up with Oregon Active and First Descents to bring kiteboarding to young adults with terminal cancer this July.

15 young adult campers with First Descents will come down from the whitewater hub of the Columbia Gorge – the White Salmon River – to be a part of the kiteboarding action on the Columbia River. Instructors from Kite the Gorge and Cascade Kiteboarding kite schools will be on hand to teach trainer kite lessons. After an introduction to wind and teaching kite-flying skills, advanced rider instructors will take to the water for kiteboarding demos.

Afterward, KB4C, Oregon Active, and First Descents will have a post-BBQ for all involved at the Hood River marina park.

HUGE PROPS – All of this was made possible from generous donations of time, gear, and passion.  I truly want to thank everyone for their help and flexibility (especially on such short notice) with making this happen.  Here is some info on everyone involved

First Descents – Since 2001, First Descents has utilized whitewater kayaking and other outdoor adventure sports to promote emotional, psychological, and physical healing for over 500 young adults with cancer.  Click here for more info and to watch an amazing video – http://www.firstdescents.org

KB4C Kiteboarding for Cancer – Kiteboarding 4 Cancer is dedicated to bringing the healing power of wind and water to those affected by cancer through the funding of cancer advocacy, awareness, prevention, and healing programs.  Click here for more info – http://www.kb4c.org

Oregon Active Foundation – a non-profit dedicated to providing outdoor adventures for those in our community that are affected by life challenging conditions. The Oregon Active Foundation focuses on facilitating these adventures for young adults battling cancer, at risk children in challenging situations, and members of our community with disabilities.  A non-profit dedicated to providing support for the affected, their families, friends, and the charitable institutions that serve them.  http://www.oregonactive.com

Kite The Gorge kiteboarding school – Carlos Cornieles and Spring Milward founded Kite the Gorge, winter 2006. They reside in the Columbia Gorge area in the summers living their dream, teaching others the art of kiteboarding, sharing the progression of kiteboarding along with the up to date safety information to be a safe, independent rider. Teach the goal of kiting, and discover the playful side while doing so. Click here for more information – http://www.kitethegorge.com

Cascade Kiteboarding kiteboarding school - Tonia Farman, who also runs Kiteboarding 4 Cancer, runs Cascade Kiteboarding out of Stevenson, Washington. Tonia and her team run exclusive private kiteboarding lessons using radio-controlled helmets and 100% waverunner assistance for all water lesssons. www.CascadeKiteboarding.com.