Support Strokes 2010 Re-cap

Greetings Norcal Anglers – I have been waiting to report on this years Support Strokes, held September 25th, until all the pledges came in but pledges keep coming! Here are event stats: 120+ paddlers, half beginners. 20 volunteer safety boaters escorting paddlers around Alameda and on the short courses within the Estuary. Pledges received to date exceed $26,000! Pictures can be found at www.calkayak.smugmug.com/?preview=1

You can still pledge this year at www.calkayak.com/supportstrokes/index.cfm?go=contribute A $20 raffle ticket donation earns a 1 in 200 chance to win: Grand Prize: Hobie Mirage Drive i12S Inflatable Kayak with Kotatat MsFit PFD and CCK kayak lesson – Value $2000; 1st Prize: one night at the Joie de Vivre Waterfront Hotel at Jack London Square and a voucher to Miss Pearl’s Jam House Restaurant, value over $300; 2nd Prize - $200 gift certificate to BOCANOVA Restaurant in Jack London Square. You can call 1 800 366 9804 to purchase a ticket(s) over the phone with a credit card. Only 200 will be sold – proceeds underwrite event cost.

We received this email Monday:

Dear Tammy/CCK,

I was a first-time paddler this year in the 8 mile "singles" section, and just wanted to say a quick and heartfelt thanks to you and California Canoe & Kayak for your support and sponsorship this year. I got involved with the event to support a friend who works at BCA (Breast Cancer Action), and the struggle/triumph of our "stretch" ride and richness of community at the event left me with a lasting impression of the cause that makes it feel closer to the heart and more hopeful than desolate. As a young woman with high risk factors, it is comforting to feel the support of others before I will ever need it, and I feel so much goodwill toward CCK for enabling me to have this experience.

Thank you so much! We'll be back to visit you all Oakland soon (and of course will bring friends).

Best regards, Megan


Here are highlights of my closing remarks:

…Support Strokes began as a result of a desperate need to save one couple’s home and pay bills as the result of a fatal miss-diagnosis of a young woman in her late 20’s. The paddling community acted swiftly and generously to stave off imminent financial collapse and provide a support structure allowing her final days to be filled with quality care and the richness of family and friends.

Lore is gone now. Her spirit and the spirit of hundred’s, no, thousand’s of women, and men, paddled with us today as we remember them on this beautiful California day! Support Strokes honors them, honors friends, family and participants today who are fighting cancer, honors survivors, and, raises thousands of dollars for four great organizations and their work:

Support Strokes pledges are nearing $20,000. This may not be the most we have raised in a year, but it will make a tremendous and positive impact in many people’s lives. What we do have this year is the greatest paddler participation ever! Not only the most paddlers but the most NEW paddlers!

I want to recognize those who make Support Strokes successful:

1-8) I thanked local businesses and paddle sports manufacturers for donations and prizes.
9) Volunteers – safely boaters, registrars and dock hands; a special thank you to the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
10) California Canoe & Kayak staff for being light on your feet and working long hours to prepare for Support Strokes. There are two CCK team members who deserve very special thanks: Andrea Zihar, cancer survivor, graphic designer extraordinaire for the T-shirt and official photographer. Tammy Borichevsky, cancer survivor, CCK Vice President, Marketing Director, Accessory Buyer, Event Coordinator, how many hats can one person wear? Simply said without Tammy Support Strokes would not happen.

Finally, I want to thank CCK customers and supporters. We cannot do this without you. If you shop with us you are vested in Support Strokes. If you are shopping for paddling gear, kayak or canoe, or know friends who are, please consider CCK as an option. You will not only receive the best value and service, you will support a company that works to build a healthy community and clean environment. Thank you.


I appreciate Don Anglin showing up and selling raffle tickets. He sold 17 or so. More are available! Thanks to all who may have pledged. I invite you all to next year's event!

Cheers - Keith