THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

I wanted to say "Thank you" to everyone who played a part in making the first Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon a terrific success! Thank you to our corporate sponsors, Palm/MTI, AT Paddles, Seven-2 Paddles, Voz Sports, WRSI Helmets, Snap Dragon spray skirts, Shred Ready Helmets, Keen Footwear, The Edge Ski, Paddle, & Pack, The Summit Company, Juls Bayci, Bill McCanless, Smitty's Green Light Tavern and Imprinted Sportswear.

I also wanted to thank the paddlers who raised the money and came out to paddle the Pueblo Whitewater Park on Saturday. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

(...and thank you SO much to everyone who donated their hard-earned cash to this event.)

We raised approximately $4,100 to benefit First Descents. This is a fantastic start to an event that will grow each year and make a difference in the lives of many young adults with cancer.

A huge thanks goes to the members of the Pueblo Paddlers who showed up and made a real statement. This club is moving to the next level. They worked hard raised the money, did the paddling and showed that as a club they are about more than just planning their next paddle trip. WAY TO STEP UP GUYS!


A special thank you goes out to Jeb Stogdell, his sister Kim and The Summit Company for donating the incredible shuttle of a newly refurbished (complete with the John Deere paint scheme) hay wagon and pick up truck. You guys really saved us!



All in all we had a great day and when it was all said and done, we made and difference and that just plain feels good!

Well, it IS a paddle-a-thon after all.

We are in the home stretch. The Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon to benefit First Descents is this coming Saturday (10am-3pm) and I have some news.

In the last two weeks I have received some more donated items from paddle industry leaders, AT Paddles, Seven-2 Paddles, and Keen Footwear. AT and Seven-2 each sent a 'brand-spankin'-new' whitewater paddle and Keen sent certificates for two free pair of their shoes (which will be given separately).

This was a great boost to our list of items that we will be awarding to fundraisers.

The top three fundraisers will get their choice of items. Paddlers will be given a ticket for every $50 they raised and we will draw for the remaining items until everything is gone. The give-a-way and drawing will be held at the registration tent (near the number one drop in the Pueblo Whitewater Park) starting at noon on Saturday. So get their before that to register, fill out your wavier, get your free t-shirt, turn in your money and collect your tickets.

I want to thank The Edge Ski, Paddle & Pack, The Summit Company, and Smitty's Greenlight Tavern for sponsoring the t-shirts that each participant will be given when they turn in their pledges (remember there is a $50 minimum to take part)

ALSO PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR ACA CARD OR NUMBER. IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER YOU WILL NEED TO PAY $10 TO JOIN FOR ONE DAY SO THAT YOU ARE COVERED BY THE ACA INSURANCE. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE AND THE $10 DOES NOT COME FROM YOUR PLEDGES.

The Summit Company has donated the use of a hay wagon and truck to shuttle boaters and their boats back to the top of the course after finishing a lap. You may still walk back up to the top if you choose, but you can now be shuttled in style thanks to The Summit Company and Jeb Stogdell. Thanks guys!

Parking for the paddle-a-thon will be available in the parking lot above the number one drop on Pearl Street. You may park along Corona Street at the bottom of the course as well, but the lot at the top of the park will be closer to the event.

For directions to the Pueblo Whitewater Park go to http://paddlepueblo.blogspot.com and click on the March link in the archives along the right side of the page. From there click on the "How to get to the park" entry.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Pueblo Whitewater Park Saturday for a lot of fun for a GREAT cause!