Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

by Kim Soderholm

It was July 10, 2010 my alarm raged at 6.30 a.m. I got up – stoked! I patiently waited for this event to arrive. I knew it would be unforgettable. It is my first year to volunteer.

Volunteer For A Cure

I volunteered and was assigned to help count laps. The committee prefers to call it manage “race logistics”, yep in Hood River everyone has an important title. 9 o’clock turns and riders from all across the globe to showed up – women and men, girls and boys, some young and some a little older. But they were all here for the same cause, help raise money to fund regional cancer advocacy, prevention, and survivorship programs.

Close to a hundred kiters hit the water at the same time to race a 3 mile course for as long as they can hold out or for six hours straight. Laps are counted as riders round the buoy closest to the event site. It was a mad dash as all participants came around to make their first lap, truly a sight to see. First pack of around 20 came in and no one tangled lines, next pack show up and not a single accident, so far so good. After awhile into the race the wind starts to die down and we’re starting to see kites hitting the water, creating serious jam ups and a few tangled lines. Some ride steady and take the competition somewhat serious, others ride for a few laps then take a break and some show off for the spectators, pulling huge air and various tricks. For me it was the greatest show on water!

Interview with rider Man Cong

I met up with Man to find out more about his third year participating as a rider for KB4C. He rides freestyle and is excellent at it.

Question: What inspires you, or drives you to participate in this event?

Answer: “My ex-girlfriend had breast cancer, even though I wasn’t dating her at the time I was with her for support. It was a painful process to see her go through chemo and radiation therapy, that is what inspires me”.

Question: Did you have any expectations before you signed up?

Answer: “I knew the derby race was going, but the Stand Up Paddle was new. You never know what to expect, it is different every year”.

Question:What was it like out in the water with 100+ other kiters?

Answer: “Felt like I was in a traffic jam. It was like, I don’t know. Kinda interesting, people tangling lines and kites, lots of traffic equals accidents”.

Question: Was there anything special you brought to this event that you usually don’t bring on a regular kite session?

Answer: “More intensity for sure”.

Question: Man, you pulled some of huge handle passes and various tricks for the crowd, what does it feel like when hundreds of people ohhhh and ahhhh?

Answer: “Just….I feel…in sync with the crowd”.

Question: Is there anything you would like to say or add? Something that might want others to come and participate next year?

Answer: “I think other riders should come help the cause. It’s fun and you meet other people in the small community of kiteboarding”.

Many rode a few laps but some rode an impressive six hours. One in particular was Jaz De Lille. Jaz rode her Ben Wilson Pro strapless starting out strong and finished 2nd of of all the ladies riding. WAY TO GO JAZ!!! At the end of the race 1096 total laps where counted and needless to say, the riders deserved to kick off their boards and relax before the award ceremony. Prices included t-shirts, hats, beer, gift cards, sweatshirts and the list keeps going. Whether you are volunteering as staff or donating your time as a rider, maybe your a part of the audience cheering.

You too can make a difference by supporting KB4C. Please come out and join in next year! This year am so proud to share that we raised $71,000! Congratulations to all the riders, the committee and audience for an awesome event this year!

First lap photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

Rounding last buoy photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

Jaz riding strapless photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

Man going unhooked photo courtesy: Jennifer Reinhard

Support women's sports and SHARE this story with your friends!

• Kitesurf
• Sports
• SportsPLUS
• Boardsports
• Cause/Charity

View Original Post at justkiteit.com

View Just Kite It's Full Profile