SUP Instructor Set to Paddle 250 Miles for Charity

CORNWALL, United Kingdom - This summer will see extreme sports enthusiastic and SUP Instructor Sam Robison take on coastal challenge around Cornwall. Sam along with this stand-up paddle board and supplies for the adventure, will be paddling from Bude to Plymouth, following the Cornish coastline all the way. The aim in mind; to raise money and awareness of The Wave Project Charity, based in the South West. The journey will see Sam paddling through the day with and camping overnight on route to his final stop.

Paddling solo for much of the challenge, Sam plans to break up his journey with Wave Project meet ups, giving him time to spend with the charity members in the water and offer up his stand-up paddle boarding knowledge.

Sam has his own personal affinity with the ocean through stand-up paddling and surfing which has helped him overcome challenges within his own life; feelings of isolation and inequality as a child. Surf therapy was not available for Sam to help him with his childhood emotional difficulties, but for many young adults now The Wave Project does just that.

The Wave Project is a charity that helps young people improve their emotional health and resilience through an evidence-based programme of surfing and mentoring. Run mainly by volunteers, the charity’s award-winning intervention is now delivered at 12 locations around the UK and one in Australia.

Photo: Leyline Creative

“I am by no means the first to do this on a SUP, and have been inspired by others who have already done the paddle,” says Sam Robison. He continues, “Most recently Cal Major with the ‘Paddle Against Plastic’ campaign in association with Surfers Against Sewage. I thought the Coastal Challenge 2017 would be a great event to enable me to fundraise for a charity so close to my heart. I have never paddled anything close to this distance before but I am ready for the challenge to come. This isn’t just a paddle for me, it’s a journey. From the planning process, the training and planning my route, I am quickly learning that I will never know what will be around the next corner, or what challenges I will face. It’s not only about pushing the boundaries of my own physical capabilities but also that of my social ability, having to put myself out there, and hopefully encouraging others to join me with this feat is taking me beyond my comfort zone. Which is precisely the medium of which The Wave Project strives to change the lives of so many.”

Sam aims to raise £2,500 for The Wave Project and has set up a Go Fund me page which allows people to donate and track his fundraising progress. Due to the nature of Sam’s paddle there will be a waiting period of 20th June to 20th August. A waiting period is required for this event to ensure the paddle is safe for Sam to complete. Sam will be watching specific weather systems and tidal flows, allowing Sam to launch at the right time with the wind and tide, thus allowing him to cover more distance over the first few days as possible.

“We are so grateful to Sam for choosing The Wave Project as his charity of choice, his challenge is inspiring and we cannot wait to see where his future Coastal Challenges may take him. People like Sam do make a difference to The Wave Project and individual fundraising is something we want to shout about, no matter how big all small the funds raised are, it still makes a difference to everyone involved in the charity.” - Corinne Jones, Wave Project Coordinator.

Photo: Charlotte Sams

Doing much of the paddle solo, Sam will be offering up the experience for skilled Stand Up Paddle Boarders to take part in a leg of the paddle. For more information about how you can get involved in the paddle, email Sam directly at samscoastalchallege@gmail.com or if you want to donate head over to GoFundMe and support Sam on his 250 mile SUP journey.

To see more SUP Journeys click HERE.