Professional kayaker Brad Ludden is no stranger to big thrills. He has plummeted over the tallest waterfalls and paddled through rapids. But his biggest thrill, he says, comes from a camp he created in 2001 to teach kids with cancer how to paddle a kayak.
Ludden’s First Descents is a free, week-long camp that hosts dozens of children who have been diagnosed with cancer. Teams of volunteers work to teach kids the basics of kayaking, and along the way they give the young paddlers confidence.
Ludden’s team is hosting four “paddle-a-thons” this summer to raise funds so they can host more kids. The next fundraising paddle-a-thon is Saturday on the upper Colorado between Rancho del Rio and the State Bridge Lodge. All sorts of paddlecraft – including inflatable alligators, of course – will be available to paddlers for a small fee. Paddle hard or simply float the 5-mile stretch of water as many times as possible and raise money for First Descents.
Free shuttles between the put-in and take-out are provided, and a party is planned after the event at the State Bridge Lodge. Expert and beginner paddlers are encouraged to gather pledges and participate in the fundraiser.
Do it — To register call 970-328-1806 or send a note to info@firstdescents.org. Click on www.firstdescents.org for more info.
