Next National SUP Day Celebrates Strongest Turnout Yet

TUSTIN, California – NEXT Swimwear – an active-inspired women’s collection integrating swim, fitness, and fashion – marked its fourth occasion as sponsor of the NEXT National SUP Day benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The local event, held at Newport Aquatic Center in Newport Beach, Calif., brought together volunteers, community supporters, SUP enthusiasts, and cystic fibrosis children and their families for a morning of fun, fitness and camaraderie for those passionate about fighting cystic fibrosis and its effects on children and families. Three additional SUP Day events took place in Chicago, IL., Palm Beach, FL,, and North Carolina. 

Chris Lohman, VP of Marketing for Raj Manufacturing, makers of NEXT Swimwear, kicked off the day’s events by welcoming the crowd of about 125, including 10 CF families from throughout Southern California and thanking the numerous sponsors that brought giveaways and hosted fun activations for the kids in attendance. They included SwimSpot, Raj Manufacturing, SIMA, Global Surf Industries, Commercial Real Estate Services, Capstone Financial and Orange Theory Fitness.

There was plenty to commemorate and celebrate as those in the CF community eagerly await an announcement, expected on or before July 5, that a drug, used in combination with the revolutionary treatment drug Kalydeco™, will target the underlying cause of the disease in people with two copies of the most common CF genetic mutation. This represents more than half the CF patient population, according to Judy Burlingham, chairwoman of Pipeline to a Cure.

Cole Jacobson, Associate Executive Director of CFF, Orange County, introduced Ryder Pugh, a 5-year-old O.C. boy who started taking Kalydeco in March.

“It was just recently approved for 2-5 year olds and he’s been on it for two months,” said Jacobson to a cheering crowd. “The gold standard for testing for CF is the sweat-chloride test. When Ryder was originally diagnosed, he was testing at 100. Anything above 60 means that you have CF. He tested the other day at 54, so, technically Ryder is not testing positive for CF.”

Smiles were pervasive on the CF family members who came from Yucaipa to Brea, Mission Viejo to Riverside. | Photos Courtesy: Next 

Find a SUP event near you! Check out the Supconnect Events Calendar here.

Additionally, there was a presentation to introduce 6-year-old CF ambassador, Ginger Sampson, who was interviewed by her friends Kaylee and Isla. Ginger shared the treatments she must go through every day:

“I do my puffer twice, I do my meds twice, my mask three times, my saline twice, my Pulmozyme™ once,” said the young CF patient, whose little sister also has CF. “I also do 15 enzymes a day, two vitamins and garlic once a day.”

After the opening ceremony, everyone took to the water on SUP boards and in kayaks and large outrigger boats made available by the event host – Newport Aquatic Center. The CF kids went out on the water to experience the most therapeutic thing possible for them – exercise and breathing salt air.

“Despite all her treatments, her cough has never been more productive than when she’s out on the water,” said Sarah Sampson, Ginger’s mom. “Days like this are wonderful, for all of us.”

Lohman concurs: “There is no better treatment than having a blast!”

“More and more studies are proving that it’s the exercise and activity that are having dramatic results,” said Jacobson. “That is what events like this help convey and you can see it on the faces of the kids and young adults.”

There was plenty to commemorate and celebrate as those in the CF community eagerly await an announcement, expected on or before July 5, that a drug, used in combination with the revolutionary treatment drug Kalydeco™, will target the underlying cause of the disease in people with two copies of the most common CF genetic mutation. | Photo Courtesy: Next

Smiles were pervasive on the CF family members who came from Yucaipa to Brea, Mission Viejo to Riverside.

“We are ecstatic about the success of this year’s event,” said Lohman. “Every year it gets bigger and we touch more individuals and families – to not only spread awareness about CF but to connect people who might not otherwise be connected. The goal for the future is to expand into more markets throughout the U.S.”

ABOUT NEXT Swimwear

Bridging the gap between active and contemporary, NEXT integrates swim, fitness and fashion, creating the ultimate collection of active and swim separates for the gal-on-the-go. The NEXT woman is fit, health conscious and all about looking effortlessly stylish whether she’s in spinning class, teaching SUP yoga or out running errands. Made with signature NextFlex® fabric, the matchless material wicks away moisture for coolness and comfort, while blocking 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. From sports bras, halter tops, tankinis and bikini bottoms to swim shorts, pants and rash-guards, the NEXT collection is made for a high-energy lifestyle.

The complete NEXT collection is available at fine retailers across the globe, including the online hot spot for all things swim, swimspot.com. For more information, visit nextbyathena.com.

ABOUT Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (cff.org), a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 CF care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs, and has 80 chapters and branch offices nationwide.