Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon

I got your drysuit right here!

2009-05-19T19:28:00.003-07:00

(Stikine/Courtesy Palm Equipment USA)

The specs:

Fabric / Construction XP200™ 4-layer fabric with Cordura® 550D Ripstop overlay at seat and knees, and articulated panel cut with no underarm seams, a seamless crotch, and pre-bent knees
Neck / Wrist Closures (Gaskets) Natural latex gaskets neck and wrists with over-protectors
Fit Adjustments Draw cord adjustable twin waist system
Zippers & Socks Built-in breathable XP200™ socks with Cordura® 300D soles, and YKK brass coil rear entry zipper & front relief zippers
Pockets Zippered front pocket with water-resistant YKK zippers

Can you believe this? Once again our cup overfloweth when it comes to what MTI/Palm sends the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon! We are HUGE fans of Lili Colby (super marketing director) and the folks there at MTI/Palm! I can also tell you that I personally paddle in a Palm drytop that is, in my opinion, the best thing since sliced bread (that is if sliced bread could keep me warm and dry while paddling the Arkansas River!)

They also sent PFD's and assorted other schwag to be dolled out to the paddlers who come to help us raise money for First Descents!

If you don't have your boater info and pledge sheets yet please either get in touch with me or stop down at The Edge Ski Paddle & Pack in Pueblo. I can email them to you in a PDF format that you can print off yourself.

Things are looking great for the upcoming event! Get out and get those pledges! The top three fund raisers get to pick their prizes and the Stikine figures to be one of the items that will go quickly!

PS-Check out Palm/MTI and Dagger. Their links are on the right of the page.

Dagger steps up to the plate again!

2009-05-07T17:42:00.003-07:00

(courtsey of Dagger)

Once again the prize for the top fundraiser at this year's Pueblo Paddle-a-thon is a Daggger Kayak! Thanks a ton to Ken Hoeve and Dagger Kayaks for providing a brand-spanking-new Dagger RPM.

Dagger says: The best selling whitewater boat of all-time returns in limited production for 2009. This versatile river runner has become a benchmark design due to its stability, performance, and ease of rolling. Shred waves, run the river, or pull enders in your favorite hole with a boat that can do it all.

The boat will be making an appearance at the upcoming Wild Wild West Fest Whitewater Rodeo May 16th at the Pueblo Whitewater Park. Come get into the water and picture yourself in a Dagger!

We have also received a couple of spray skirts from Snapdragon Designs.

Thanks guys! These are great skirts! I would love to get my hands on one of them myself, but these two are going to be awarded to fundraisers at the paddle-a-thon.

Last year we had a couple of tandem duckies (courtesy of Raft Masters) for paddlers to try out and they were very popular. This year thanks again to Raft Masters we will have at least 6 of the tandem duckies for the event! Woohoo!

This just keeps getting better! Stay tuned, there is much more to come!

We are a GO!

2009-02-17T13:14:00.002-07:00

Things are starting to pick up and I will have more news for everyone soon. The Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon is scheduled for Saturday July 11th in the Pueblo Whitewater Park on the Arkansas River. Watch for updates right here as things start to flow!

The Roger Patrick Dorsey Cancer Center is back this year as our major sponsor! We are so STOKED!!!! Thanks guys!

Another sucessful event!!! Thanks to YOU!

2008-07-17T14:32:00.003-07:00

I would like to give a Gi-Normous THANK YOU everyone to everyone who participated in the 2nd Annual Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon to benefit First Descents. You guys ROCK! The event, thanks to you, had a 25% increase in the amount raised over last year. We ended up raising more than $5,000 for FD! Woo Hoo!!!!

I would like to thank, (in no particular order): The Pueblo Paddlers, Dagger Kayaks (Ken Hoeve), Palm/MTI, The Edge Ski, Paddle & Pack, NRS, Kokatat, Shred Ready, Snapdragon, WRSI, Docs Pro Plugs, Raft Masters, The Rev. Roger Patrick Dorcy Cancer Center, The Summit Company, Juls Bayci, The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Bill McCanless, and my favorite kayaker in the whole world, Eleanor Perry!

All the praise and the glory goes to God for giving us the desire and the tools to step up and make a difference in this way. I thank Him for each and every person who participated, donated gear, volunteered, and wrote the checks that will help First Descents continue their life-changing camps. You guys are the best!

Watch for the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon 3 coming July 11, 2009 to the Pueblo Whitewater Park.

The T-shirts are in!

2008-06-22T15:28:00.002-07:00

The Reverend Roger Patrick Dorcy Cancer Center at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center is our t-shirt sponsor and has provided shirts that will be given to each fundraiser who raises a minimum of $50 for First Descents.

The design above is printed in navy blue on sand colored cotton t-shirts and looks awesome! Come paddle with us and help a great cause!!!!

Some of the Schwag!

2008-06-11T14:32:00.002-07:00

Once again our sponsors have come through BIG TIME! I wasn't even able to get all of the stuff in the photo.

For instance, NRS has donated a Flux Drytop. That one we won't have as the correct size and color desired by the winner of that item will have it shipped directly to their door by NRS! How cool is that?

Also Palm donated dry pants and another drytop in addition to a drysuit, pfds, and gloves. We have earplugs provided by Doc's Proplugs. The helmets are from WRSI and Shred Ready, there is a pfd from Kokatat, spray skirts from Snapdragon and don't forget the Dagger Agent 6.4!!!

I have pledge sheets for those of you who want to have an awesome time and go home with some very cool gear! There will also be free t-shirts for each paddler who raises a minimum of $50. So come and hang out and help a very cool cause First Descents!

You can still contact me via email bryankelsen@msn.com or phone 719 406.1331. I look forward to hearing from you soon and seeing you in Pueblo July 12th!

Pledge sheets now available

2008-05-21T14:26:00.002-07:00

The Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon pledge sheets are now ready! You can get the sheets at The Edge or you can get in touch with me and I would be happy to get them into your hot little hands.

You can email me at bryankelsen@msn.com or call me at 719.406.1331.

I will have updates soon as to additional prize items and involvement.

Welcome back Palm / MTI

2007-11-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

More good news. I talked with Lili Colby of Palm yesterday (Nov. 28th). She said that Palm / MTI will be on board as sponsors of the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon to benefit First Descents again this coming year!

If you remember, Palm / MTI played a big part in the success of last year's event with their very generous donations of a drysuit, pfd's, rodo pants, etc... We are thrilled to have them back! Thanks Lili!

It's game on!

2007-11-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

It may be 8 months until the 2008 version of the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon (July 12, 2008), but things are already happening!

We officially announce the addition of Dagger Kayaks to the list of amazing companies who have been so generous in their support of our efforts. Ken "Hobie" Hoeve, of Dagger has donated a Dagger Agent 6.4 (see below) to the cause.The boat will be one of the items the top 3 fundraising paddlers will have to choose from. I am sure it will be one of the items at the top of everyone's list.

We would also like to welcome The Reverend Roger Patrick Dorcy Cancer Center at St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center here in Pueblo to the party. We are thrilled to have them on board and appreciate their support in both fundraising and finding local young adults to send to First Descents!

Letters and pre-event packages will be going out shortly after the first of the year. Pledge forms will also be available shortly after the holidays. So keep an eye on this blog or subscribe to it to stay on top of developments.

We are hoping to make the 2008 paddle-a-thon even better than last year's inaugural event. With your help we can do it.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

2007-07-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-07-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

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!

VOZ SPORTS COMES THROUGH BIG TIME!

2007-06-22T17:40:00.000-07:00

A box arrived today with two Voz Sports whitewater helmets (one medium and one large)just like the one worn here by model, Matt Solomon. I also received one of their "Wetpack" backpacks which are great for carrying your wet boater gear.

We will be giving all of this stuff away along with the other cool schwag that has been showing up around here.

An Adventure Technology AT3 River carbon fiber ergonomic paddle showed up the other day too. There is going to be some very awesome stuff dolled out during the Paddle-A-Thon.

So raise some cash, pack up the boat and get your booty down the Pueblo Whitewater Park July 7th to help us raise some loot for First Descents a kayak camp for young adults with cancer.

Check out the poster!

2007-06-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is the design for the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon. It is on the poster as well as soon to be printed on t-shirts given to each participant.

Paddle Schwag You can WIN!

2007-06-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Several companies who supply gear to paddlers have stepped up. I wanted to show some of what will be given away at the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon to benefit First Descents a kayak camp for young adults.

The top fundraiser will have first choice of all the items which include pfds, helmets and yes even a drysuit! The second and third best fundraisers will also get to chose from the boating booty. After that each boater will get a ticket for each $50 raised and the remaining items will be given away during a drawing.

So get your pledge forms and start getting pledges so you can get a share of the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon schwag!!!

Stay tuned for more info!

Update! & Pledge forms!

2007-05-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

Things are starting to get going around here. Sponsors are starting to come through with both items that will be awarded to the top fundraisers (we already have some awesome helmets and paddles) and funding to pay for the t-shirts that every participant will take home with them.

Now I want to post the pledge sheets that you can copy to your machine and print out. Just drag them to your desktop and they should copy. They are jpeg formatted and should be full sized at 300dpi (you can drop the resolution if you like)

There is also a second sheet that you can print out which gives event information so that you can keep it with you and not have to keep looking things up.

If you are having trouble getting either one of these to download please give me a call and I will see that we get them to you one way or another.

BOATER BETA

2007-05-06T20:36:00.000-07:00

What: The Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon

Where: The Pueblo Whitewater Park, Pueblo, Colorado

When: Saturday July 7, 2007 10am-3pm (rain or shine)

Why: To benefit First Descents, a kayak camp for young adults with cancer.

How: Contact Bryan Kelsen (719.406.1331 or bryankelsen@msn.com) to register and get pledge forms.

Boaters who take part in the Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon will be asked to choose to paddle one of three predetirmined distances. The distances are 5, 10 or 15 laps of the half-mile Pueblo Whitewater Park . This way when participants solicit pledges they will be able to collect payment before the event eliminating the need to return to donors to collect on the pledge. So pick your distance and solicit pledges according to that distance.

The portion of the lap that is the paddling downstream takes between 7 & 10 minutes to complete. If boaters choose to walk back up to the top of the park the walk takes approximately 15 minutes. A free shuttle may be available on the day of the event depending on the weather (if it rains the trail gets too muddy for vehicles.)

The Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon will be an ACA event. Paddlers who are not ACA members will need to pay the $10 insurance waiver and fee to be a member for the day of the event. Those who are members should remember to bring their membership cards.

Those contributing to the event for a boater may write a check to First Descents for their pledges or they may go to http://www.firstdescents.org and click on the “donate” button to make a secure online credit card donation. Donations are tax deductable as First Descents has a 501 C.3 non profit status.

THINGS ARE MOVIN' RIGHT ALONG

2007-05-04T07:47:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update. The Pueblo Paddle-A-Thon t-shirts are being designed, the pledge forms are nearly ready and the buzz is that people are starting to get excited about July 7th!

How could you go wrong with an event that benefits such a worthy organization (Frist Descents) being held on 7/7/07? We can't! We will have a fantastic time and help out a group of people who are often overlooked by the medical/philanthropic community.

It won't be long now and we'll really get this thing rollin'!

Stay tuned!!!

PADDLE-A-THON JULY 7TH

2007-04-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

The Pueblo Whitewater Park will be hosting a Paddle-A-Thon July 7, 2007 to benefit First Descents. First Descents is a kayak camp for young adults with cancer.

The young adult cancer population is the most underserved population within the cancer world and the programs that First Descents provides free of charge play a key role in a cancer survivior's emotional, psychological and physical healing. It costs First Descents approximately $1,000 per camper for a one week session and the funds you raise will go directly toward providing these much-needed program to a very deserving group of people.

This event will combine the enjoyment of being on the water in one of Colorado's finest whitewater playpark venues with the satisfaction of being able to make a difference in the life of a young adult with cancer.

The Pueblo Whitewater Park is a half mile on the Arkansas River in downtown Pueblo consisting of 8 drops. Seven of the drops provide play holes with the final drop being a mini-rapid and wave-train. The event will consist of participants paddling laps through the park to raise monies pledged for each lap.

Watch this page for upcoming details on fundraising and sponsorships.