The annual Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis is on! This 80-mile paddle challenge is among the first of world renowned paddle events out of the gates, post-COVID. Get ready for launch on Sunday, June 27th, 2021! Paddlers will gather from around the globe to make paddle crossing across the Gulf between Bimini in the Bahamas and Lake Worth, Florida. To date, over 150 stand up paddlers, kayakers, prone paddlers and rowers have signed up. They all have two things in common: they have great hearts and are warriors of the sea.
Paddlers gather for a flower ceremony before the start of their 80-mile crossing. Photo by: Tallymark ProductionsCrossing for Cystic Fibrosis Brings Hope to CF Community
LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla., April 1, 2021 – The announcement has been made! This year's 80-mile Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis will take place on Sunday, June 27th. Paddlers will launch from Bimini in the Bahamas and cross the treacherous open waters of the Florida Straits to Lake Worth Beach, Florida. This is the 5th year of this extraordinary event raising money for family members and programs within the Cystic Fibrosis community.
CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE EVENT?
Become a VIRTUAL PADDLER and PARTICIPATE
After an entire year without any stand up paddle recreational or racing events, paddlers are eager to get back in the water. Paddling for Cystic Fibrosis never looked better! Piper’s Angels Foundation, along with Medical Director Dr. Ray Vasquez, have created a COVID Mitigation Plan to ensure a safe experience for all.
Catherine (standing) and Chloe (in the water) Dubois, a mother-daughter duo, completed the Crossing together in 2019. Here, they celebrate a moment together in Bimini, each woman championing the other to make this hero’s journey a reality.X4CF Paddle Challenge: Protocol and Sponsorship
Individuals diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, due to the nature of their disease, have practiced social distancing, proper hand hygiene, and mask use as a part of their daily lives long before the virus erupted into our world. Therefore, these procedures are a natural extension of their regular protocols and an easy add on for the successful implementation of X4CF's COVID Mitigation Plan at the event's beach landing in Lake Worth.
Read Personal Stories of People Who Have Made the Crossing:
Mother-Daughter Paddle Team Overcome Great Odds
Finding your WHY: 2019 Paddler Overcomes Setback
This year the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis announces its largest sponsorship to date with CELSIUS becoming a title sponsor for the 2021 Crossing. The company manufactures a fitness-based energy drink aligning with the health and wellness culture of Piper’s Angels Foundation. This year's Crossing is proud to be fueled by CELSIUS.
Paddlers launch off the beaches in Bimini around 1AM in order to make a beach landing in Florida around mid-day. Head lamps, boat lights and counting heads is a huge part of the process.Double Lung Transplant Recipient to Paddle in this Year's Crossing
One highlight of this year's Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis is the inclusion of its first double lung transplant recipient, Scott Johnson, as a participant and relay-team paddler. Scott's team will include X4CF Founder and Executive Director Travis Suit as they embark on their paddle as team Double Or Nothing. Their team name reflects a play on words regarding Scott’s life-saving double lung transplant. 2021 year marks the 20th anniversary since his lung transplant surgery, making Scott a featured player in this year's Crossing. Scott’s story and journey of The Crossing will be captured in a short film documentary being released later this year.
Think YOU Have What it Takes?
Registration Closes 04/20/2021
Additional information about the Piper’s Angels Foundation can be found online, at https://www.pipersangels.org. Information about the 2021 Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis taking place on June 27, 2021, including sponsorships, donations and volunteer details, can be found online at https://www.crossingforcysticfibrosis.com.
Piper Suit, daughter to Exec. Director and Founder of X4CF Travis Suit is a Cystic Fibrosis warrior herself and a smiling and essential presence at every event.About Piper’s Angels Foundation
The Piper's Angels Foundation mission is to support and improve the lives of families in the cystic fibrosis community through grassroots advocacy and socially innovative programs, raising awareness through education, offering life-expanding activities, providing urgent financial support, and funding critical developments. Additional information can be found online, at https://www.pipersangels.org.
Aloha. Stay tuned for that June 27th launch date!
