Paddling with Purpose: 750km at 75 for Island Kids Cancer Association

1. What inspired you to take on this challenge of paddling 750 kilometers at 75 years old?

I turned 75 in April 2025. Last summer, I began thinking about challenging myself to paddle a significant distance and landed on 750km – a multiple of my age. Around the same time, a friend was cycling for a month to raise funds for a charitable organization. One beautiful afternoon, while paddling on the coastal waters around Victoria, BC, it struck me: I could do something similar.

I realized I could share my passion for the ocean and stand-up paddleboarding with others, giving deeper meaning to the distance challenge. After some reflection, the idea of transforming my paddling energy into kilometers – and those kilometers into dollars for a worthy cause – began to take shape. Fellow paddlers responded enthusiastically and encouraged me to move forward.

The next step was to find a meaningful cause. After some reflection, I chose to support the Island Kids Cancer Association – a small, local charity that supports families of children diagnosed with cancer across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. My participation in the 2024 Paddle for Health event – which has brought the community together for over a decade in support of IKCA – further solidified my decision to fundraise for this organization. Each year, individuals and teams raise funds, then paddle an 8km ocean route on voyageur canoes, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards on the first Saturday of September. Every dollar raised goes directly toward programs that help local families navigate the challenges of a childhood cancer diagnosis.

I ultimately committed to paddling 750km over five months in coastal waters, mostly around southern Vancouver Island, completing segments of 5 to 20km per day. That distance is equivalent to about two-thirds of the circumference of Vancouver Island, or roughly the distance from Victoria to the southern tip of Haida Gwaii. I used the Paddle Logger app to record each session and uploaded every segment to Strava, where people can follow my progress and view the details.

2. Can you tell us more about the Island Kids Cancer Association and why you chose to support them?

I’m a retired pediatrician and neonatologist. Throughout my professional career, I cared for sick newborns and worked closely with their parents, witnessing firsthand their pain, angst, and challenges. These challenges often involved maintaining jobs and households while their baby was in the hospital for weeks or even months, sometimes far from home.

In my search for a meaningful cause, I discovered the Island Kids Cancer Association (IKCA), a grassroots charity dedicated to supporting over 200 families across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands as they navigate the trials of childhood cancer. Children with cancer often require complex care at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, which poses major logistical, financial, and emotional challenges for Island-based families.

I was deeply impressed by IKCA’s efforts to identify and address gaps in the system. They work collaboratively with other organizations and hospital staff to ensure families receive comprehensive, compassionate care. IKCA supports the = entire family – children, siblings, adolescent young adults, parents, and bereaved families – through tailored programs like the Touchstones Mental Health Program, Food Delivery Program, Family Connections, Financial Assistance, and Hospital Clinic Resources. They ensure families receive the support they need when they need it most.

3. You’ve paddled over 600km already –
what’s been the most memorable moment on the water so far?

The scenery in this part of the world – where wind, forest, rock, and mountain meet the ocean – is truly spectacular. Wildlife is abundant. There’s a special kind of presence that comes from moving silently across tidal waters on a paddleboard, simply witnessing nature as it goes about its daily rhythms.

It’s hard to choose just one ‘most memorable’ moment – but a few certainly stand out.

In early April, at the beginning of the fundraiser, three of us paddled around Trial Island, a place where many sea lions may spend their time in the fall and winter. Despite keeping the minimum 100m distance, their impressive size was obvious when we saw them hauled out on the rocks. The raucous barks of the California sea lions (males up to 390kg) and the deep, guttural growls of the Steller sea lions (males up to 1,100kg) were equally impressive. About a dozen sea lions followed us through the channel, making it a surreal and slightly unnerving experience, but we respected their space and calmly paddled on.

On the other end of the spectrum, there have been peaceful, almost meditative encounters. One quiet solo paddle through a narrow channel brought me unintentionally close to a blue heron standing motionless on a rock. I crouched low and glided silently by – and to my amazement, the bird let me pass without moving. That stillness and seemingly unspoken trust was humbling.

There were many such moments: eagles feeding on shoreline carcasses, curious seals popping their heads out of the water nearby as though checking me out, porpoises gliding past with effortless grace. But perhaps the strangest encounter happened one afternoon along Baynes Channel. I noticed a large animal swimming and couldn’t quite place it. As I got closer, I ruled out the usual suspects – seal, sea lion, porpoise, whale. Then I saw two large ears breaking the surface: it was a deer, swimming hard across the channel. And not far behind was a yellow Labrador retriever, in hot pursuit. We were about 500m from shore, and I worried the dog might be overwhelmed by the strong current. I paddled over, called to him, and to my relief he turned from the chase and swam towards me. It was priceless watching him pause, glance at me, then at the deer, then back again – before choosing the smarter option. I gently guided him back to shore, where his anxious owner was waiting and waving.

Of course, the ocean doesn’t always cooperate. I usually paddle with others – there’s safety in numbers – and we carefully map our routes using tide tables, current charts, and weather forecasts. But conditions can change quickly. You might set out on a sunny, calm morning and find yourself enveloped in thick fog a few kilometres offshore. Or you paddle out against a headwind, hoping for a tailwind on the way back – only for the wind to shift, and now you’re fighting your way home.

Those unpredictable moments – the wild ones, the serene ones, and the challenging ones – are what make this journey so unforgettable.

4. What kind of training and preparation goes into getting ready for a challenge like this?

I had a few months to think this through and plan carefully. I’ve been paddling regularly – at least a couple of times a week year-round for the past five years, usually short sessions of about 6km. To complete 750km between April 9th and early September (to align with Paddle for Health), I needed to average about 35km per week. To build in flexibility for illness, injury, or bad weather, I set a more ambitious weekly target of 40 to 45km.

Mentally, I had to commit to getting out there consistently – regardless of conditions. At an average speed of 4kmph, this meant many hours on the water, travel to launch sites, and gear maintenance afterwards. I also needed to paddle solo for the first time, which meant planning for safety. I took a maritime radio course, got certified, and purchased a handheld VHF radio with digital selective calling. I found an app that supports float plans, tracks real-time location, and alerts land-based contacts if something goes wrong.

Physically, I ramped up over the winter – paddled 135km, maintained regular strength training, and swam twice a week. I gradually increased my paddle distances – and so far, my body has held up well, with no injuries.

I’ve paid close attention to nutrition and recovery: fueling properly before and after long paddles, bringing snacks and hydration on the water, and taking rest days when needed.

On hard days, I reminded myself why I’m doing this: for families facing childhood cancer. That deeper purpose always helped me push through.

Choosing the right gear also made a big difference – more on that below.

5. Why did you choose to use Red Equipment for this journey, and how has it performed along the way

Over the past few years, I’ve tried various hardboards and inflatables, including several Red SUP models. The 12'6"Sport quickly became my favorite for its ideal balance of stability, tracking, maneuverability, and speed – everything I needed for longer paddles in coastal waters.

When I tested the 12'6" Sport+, built with Red’s new MSL®800 technology, I immediately recognized it was a gamechanger. I bought one right away, and it’s the board I’ve used exclusively for this entire fundraiser. It’s lighter, thinner, and more rigid than earlier versions, and perfectly suited to my size (165cm, 65kg). It handles beautifully – even in chop and wind – and tracks incredibly well. The RSS battens noticeably enhance rigidity. The deckpad is comfortable and grippy. After 615km of use, it has performed flawlessly.

I also use a Red 30L Roll Top Dry Bag, which has become an inseparable companion. It’s kept my gear safe, dry, and organized through all types of conditions, and its thoughtful design makes it essential on every outing.

The board, dry bag, and other Red gear such as the waterproof phone case, have held up to daily use, withstanding bumps, loading / unloading, and all the demands of this challenge. I’ve only needed to top up the board pressure once in 16 weeks. The Titan pump is quick and easy, and I’ve upgraded to a 9-inch fiberglass touring fin for even more responsiveness. All in all, Red Equipment has been reliable, durable, and a pleasure to use.

6. What kind of reaction have you received from the community during this fundraiser?

The response has been amazing – both in terms of encouragement and financial support. More than 200 donors have helped sustain this effort, and we’ve raised over $20,250 to date. Some supporters have pledged one Canadian dollar for every kilometre I paddle – a powerful motivator – while others have made generous one-time donations.

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the backing of my sponsors: Brian Raymer from South Island SUP and Gina Lemieux from Mer Tales Ocean Journeys. Their support – on and off the water – has been invaluable: route planning, lending gear, and inviting me to join tours throughout the journey.

Everyone I’ve paddled with has been positive and encouraging. Some have joined me specifically for longer segments. Support has also come via Instagram, Strava, and email – each message means a lot.

The most touching contribution came from my grandchildren. The oldest pledged a donation per kilometre, and the younger five – aged 2 to 12 – organized a lemonade and cookie stand with help from my daughters. In one afternoon, they raised $475. That moment was pure joy.

7. With just weeks left to go, what’s next for your journey – and what do you hope people take away from your story?

With six weeks left, I’m on track to complete the full 750km distance by early September – just in time to celebrate at Paddle for Health 2025, the annual event supporting the Island Kids Cancer Association. I’ll continue paddling several times a week, choosing routes that are safe, scenic, and suited to the day’s conditions, while staying connected to the many people who have supported this journey from the shore, online, or beside me on the water.

What I hope people take away is this: it’s never too late to challenge yourself, to contribute to something meaningful, or to follow your passions in a way that gives back. Whether you’re 25 or 75, you can still surprise yourself – and maybe even inspire someone else along the way.

This journey has reminded me how powerful community can be, how healing nature is, and how every small effort – every stroke of the paddle – can add up to something much greater when done with purpose. If my story encourages even one person to reach a little further, give a little more, or spend more time in the natural world, then it’s all been worth it.

Support Oscar’s 750km challenge via his Paddling with Purpose fundraising page.