Yesterday I had the amazing opportunity to attend an event whose cause is near and dear to my heart. Each and every one of us has been touched by cancer. When I learned about Stand Up for the Cure, all other plans fell away.
My mother and her sister are breast cancer survivors. My fellow band mom, Laura, is a cancer survivor. My previous boss, Carla, is a thyroid cancer survivor. My son’s childhood classmate, Kaitlynn, is fighting breast cancer even now.
Standup for the Cure
Yesterday, I attended Standup for the Cure for them and the countless others. Held at Lake Sammamish in Issaquah, Washington, the event centered around various standup paddle board (SUP) events.
There was a SUP clinic, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance had the mammogram bus for screenings, a Silent Auction and sweepstakes drawings was being held along with an expo of SUP related products and other vendors.
Cindy, Georgina, Rhonda and I picked up our pink SUFTC jerseys, bag of goodies and wrist bands and made our way around the expo.
The opening ceremonies began with a Hawaiian blessing for the survivors.
Next, was the survivor recognition. Those present who are survivors or currently fighting were recognized and honored. Then the “Sea Of Pink” entered the water sitting, kneeling or standing on their paddle boards to do one circle in the lake. A horn was sounded and those participating in the 2.5K or 5K began their races.
Yoga
Instead of joining those in the water, we attended a yoga class on the beach, followed by our favorite, SUP yoga. Both classes were taught by local SUP yoga instructor, Lindsay Lambert or @paddlingyogini of One Mind Yoga in Issaquah. Besides being an amazing woman, Lindsay the only other local that I would take SUP yoga from besides Georgina.
After class we grabbed our lunch, options Cesar salad, clam chowder, teriyaki chicken with rice and steamed edamame and sushi. Provided by Trappers Sushi.
We enjoyed our lunch while listening to the Team Relay races and fantastic live music played. The silent auction and raffle winners were posted and the race winners received their awards.
A special thanks to the sponsors of the event: Boardworks, Barefoot Winery, Maui Jim and all the local area businesses that provided items for the silent auction and raffles, and all the vendors at the expo. All proceeds from the event go to Susan G. Komen Puget Sound. Hosted by Standup for the Cure and presented by KOMO 4, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and Seattle Refined.
It was an amazing day and I’ve already got my plan to attend next year. Will you join me?
Honoring Others
In addition to my mom and other women I know, I lost my father to lung cancer when he was just 62. He never got to see my sons grow up to be the young men they are today. They were only 6 1/2 when they lost their grandpa. He was so incredibly caring and patient, so proud of his grandsons. He went everywhere with us when we visited. LEGO land, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo. He even flew to Milwaukee in order to fly with me to California for the boys first visit to California at 3 months old. He had Josh the entire flight and the smiles he had on his face, I will never forget.
Yesterday we honored those we’ve lost at Seattle Care Care Alliance’s booth at the expo where they will create a work of art with The Yellow Ball Project. Click here or more information on Seattle Cancer Care Alliance or follow the hashtag #yellowballproject .
SUP Yoga Info
Georgina Shaffer (Owner of Azul SUP & Yoga LLC) Certified Yoga instructor for over 10 years, Georgina expanded her yoga practice and classes to include SUP Yoga, obtaining her certification at the Yoga on Liquid in Seattle. Continually taking courses to grow as an instructor, Georgina became a certified Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider. She is a pioneer in the local yoga community by bringing Black Light Yoga, Wheel Yoga, Indo Yoga and SUP Yoga to the area.
Lindsay Lambert (Owner of Paddling Yogini LLC & One Mind Yoga) Avid life-long swimmer, Lindsay is a certified ARC Lifeguard and is also an Open Water Lifeguard. She added a yoga certification and then blended her two loves together completing her SUP Yoga certification and training at Bliss Paddle Yoga in Laguna Beach, CA.
As a swim instructor myself, it is so vitally important to me that if you are considering taking a SUP yoga class anywhere, that you verify the certifications and training of your instructor, especially if you are out on the open water. Weather conditions change in the blink of an eye, even an experienced swimmer can struggle in open water. Nothing beats certification and experience. If you decide to take a class in a pool, please review the set up of the boards and the training of the staff as well. There is a reason I only take SUP Yoga with Georgina or Lindsay. You can find more information on their websites, Facebook and Instagram.
Be safe peeps!
