Ben Did Go - Northern Edition
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Ben Carlson FoundationThe Ben Carlson Foundation raises funds to promote and enable water safety internationally.
$800
raised by 9 people
$1,500 goal
Update #1
It was a stellar day for a northern edition of the Ben Did Go 9.0 paddle on the St. Lawrence River from Rockport to Prescott, Ontario. Departure was at 0611 hours on flat water with the sun coming up which was really nice.
I was alone during the 5 hour and 55 minute 30 mile paddle but my thoughts were about Ben and all of the others doing the crossing from Catalina to Newport.
Thanks to my family and friends for the logistical support to do this alone, Joe Bark for getting a new Greyhound to me in time, Mike McDaniel for the Mile 22 fuel dock system and configuration advice, the Ben Carlson Foundation for permitting me to do the paddle close to home and to my sponsors for their donations.
It looked like all of the California crew had a great time and I hope to join in next year.
When I heard about the "Ben Did Go" 30 mile prone paddle from Catalina to Newport, my curiosity led me to learn about Ben Carlson's story which can be found at: https://www.bencarlsonfoundation.org
Ben Carlson gave his life in service to others on July 6, 2014. Ben had just turned 32 and had proudly served as a Newport Beach Lifeguard for over 15 years. Ben is the only member of the service to die in the line of duty since it was created in 1923.
Ben was a lover of the ocean, a UC Irvine Anteater water polo player and a competitive swimmer.
Thanks to Ben's friends and family, he lives on in spirit through the Ben Carlson Foundation.
This year, the "Ben Did Go 9.0" paddle from Catalina to Newport is being joined by a "northern edition" 30 mile paddle on the St. Lawrence River from Rockport to Prescott, along the shores of New York and Ontario.
If you are asking yourself what connection I have to the Foundation the answer is simple - Ben's story of service resonated with me. I am also a lover of the water - both salt and fresh - was a Vancouver Parks Board lifeguard in the mid 1980's and then joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1990. In the RCMP's 151 year history, the leading cause of on duty deaths remains drowning.
Please donate if you would like to help the Foundation's work to support under-resourced lifeguard agencies, including in Nicaragua, Puerto Escondido, Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, South Africa and more. In addition, the Foundation provides scholarships to help outstanding lifeguards advance their education.