Since 2008 a dedicated group of volunteers and participants recruited by local kayaker Don Lowther, has passionately combined their love for paddling with philanthropy through an annual fundraising event in the waters off Victoria British Columbia.  In 2014 Paddle for Health was born; building on the tremendous success and popularity of our annual paddling fundraiser, we would now grow to promote healthy outdoor living through year-round paddling events.

Don’s Story

Don’s motivation to have an annual paddling fundraising event in Victoria was the loss of his mother to cancer in January of 2005. The following summer Don was on a 40 day kayak trip completing a circumnavigation of Vancouver Island and during those days had a great deal of time to think. He decided while paddling down the west coast of the Island that he was going to honour his mother’s memory by using paddling to support those facing cancer. Don’s mom was not a fan of small boats, so would never have tried kayaking herself. But, through photographs he would take on his paddling adventures, Don’s mom was able to experience the beauty and freedom of the ocean environment that only a paddler can truly understand.

The mission has since grown to promoting healthy living through year-round paddling activities (Stay tuned!) and through the annual Paddle for Health fundraising event we continue to support cancer patients and their families. We have all been touched by cancer in some way and Paddle for Health is a healthy positive way to gather and share the paddling experience in support of cancer patients and their families.

“I do it for many reasons, for those I have lost to cancer: my mom, my two grandmothers, a great-grandmother, aunt Evelyn, uncle Charlie, cousin Nicole and several respected colleagues. But most importantly, I do this for those who are still here: my daughter and her little sister, my niece, nephews, sisters, dad, family, friends, colleagues and countless people I’ll never know or meet who ‘deserve’ a life free from the struggles brought on by cancer”.

Why here? Victoria is a paddler’s mecca! Here in Victoria you can’t travel more than 5 minutes without passing by a car with one or more kayaks on the roof heading for a put-in. Go to any beach or waterfront, look out onto the water and you will invariably see SUPs, kayakers, canoes and paddle sport racers in-training as far as the eye can see. On one side of town we have the incredible southern Gulf Islands, across the Salish Sea behind them the majestic Mt. Baker stands watch in the background. Looking to the south, we have a backdrop of the magnificent Olympic Mountains with Juan de Fuca Straight shimmering out in front. It just doesn’t get any better than this for paddling in your own back yard!