The UK’s newest SUP event SUP2CF has joined forces with Starboard, who will plant a mangrove tree for every participant in this charity paddleboard event for cystic fibrosis.
They say hell hath no fury like a mother protecting her child, and this is most definitely the case for the cause behind Stand Up to Cystic Fibrosis (SUP2CF).
When Laura and Kevin Barrett welcomed their third son into the world, he was admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital. Meanwhile, he stayed for over two months. During that time he was diagnosed with the life-limiting genetic condition cystic fibrosis.
In a bid to do something to help
Subsequently, the husband and wife duo founded SUP2CF. Up to 100 SUPs will paddle a marathon distance of 26 miles. Throughout their paddle, they will be going around Bournemouth Bay between Hengistbury Head and Old Harry Rocks. Saturday 6th June is the day of the action. Each participant will be fundraising for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust with a goal of £20,000. The raised funds will go to helping the research into life-saving treatments.
Event founder Laura says,
“We needed a sea of SUPs to join us in this challenge to create a wave of difference in the CF world, and now we are doing just that. The three silhouettes in our logo represent our three sons who are currently a powerful trio, and we intend for it to stay that way. The response to SUP2CF has been phenomenal and we’re all going to create some life-long memories.”
A Mangrove For Each Participant
And now, thanks to Starboard, a mangrove tree will be planted for every participant of SUP2CF. Each mangrove tree absorbs 1 ton of CO2 within its first 20 years of life. Mangrove trees will continue to support the planet after this. There are up to 100 entrants, so that’s 100 trees, which equals 100 tonnes of C02 absorbed. So far Starboard has planted 500,000 mangroves in Myanmar. This has absorbed the full emissions of our business ten times over. SUP2CF is not the first event that Starboard has supported this way. The European Freestyle Pro Tour, Head Of The Dart, and the British SUP Club Championships and many more have all been working with Starboard to help the planet.
SUP2CF Is Keeping Its Event As Environmentally-Friendly As Possible
Relying on compostable water bottles made from plants that will be retrieved after the event for composting. The team will also be running beach cleanups as well as now ensuring any carbon emissions through travel are offset with our mangrove planting initiative.
The Route And Sponsors
The event is sponsored by The SUP Store, Bournemouth’s local Starboard stockist. The day’s venture is being captured through the lens of Waveslider Photography, a renowned photographer and surfer.
The non-profit charity event will start in the salty waters of Bournemouth at around 5 am. There will be a launch of 65 roses into the sea for those lost and those still living in hope of a cure. 65 Roses resembles the way some children pronounce their cystic fibrosis as ‘sixty-five roses’.
Along the route, paddleboarders will pass Hengistbury Head and Old Harry’s Rocks. Finishing on the sandy shores near Durley Chine for a well-earned post-SUP drink and feast.
The Marathon Distance Challenge Could Take Up To Around 10 hours
Firstly this depends on conditions, but as Laura says, “If you’re going to set a challenge, make sure it pushes your limits. We will all paddle with passion for such a worthy cause. It’ll be 26 miles of sheer determination, but mile by mile, we will achieve our goal.”
There are only 100 places available so register now at www.sup2cf.co.uk to take part. The SUP2CF team is growing daily! You can also follow their journey on Instagram @sup2cf and via Facebook.
Event date 6th June.
What is cystic fibrosis?
Cystic fibrosis is a life-limiting genetic condition that affects the movement of salt and water in and out of cells. Above all people with cystic fibrosis experience a build-up of thick sticky mucus in the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. This causes a wide range of challenging symptoms affecting the entire body.
The average life expectancy for someone with CF is around 40 years old. There is currently no cure.
More than 10,500 people in the UK live with CF. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
Daily life for those living with CF includes physio, antibiotics, frequent infections, nebulizers, enzyme capsules with every meal to ensure food is absorbed, possible inhaler, potential CF-related diabetes and regular checks with a CF team. Exercise is paramount to those living with CF.
The risk of passing bugs to each other means that two people with CF can’t meet face to face. SUP2CF welcomes people with cystic fibrosis and is liaising with the CF Trust about implementing measures to welcome CF Warriors. So please note everyone is welcome to join our SUP2CF team.
Website: https://www.sup2cf.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sup2cf/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sup2cf
The SUP Store: https://www.thesupstore.co.uk
Waveslider: https://www.instagram.com/waveslider_photography/
