Congratulations to Doug Lange from Aurora, IL!
Doug won the kayak in the raffle drawing on Sunday, March 9. Thank you to all of the volunteers and ticket-buyers that helped make this raffle a success! Your donations will benefit the Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation’s programs for breast cancer survivors.

BCRF volunteer and talented craftsman Joe Schena built a beautiful wooden kayak to raffle at Canoecopia, The World’s Largest Paddlesport Expo. Canoecopia was March 7-9, 2008 in Madison, WI and we extend our heartfelt thanks to Joe Schena, Nancy Saulsbury and all of the raffle organizers. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation, Inc.

The kayak: The kayak is a handcrafted strip-built cedar Outer Island kayak. The Outer Island is a low volume kayak following the West Greenland lines. The kayak is designed for intermediate and advanced paddlers and measures 17′8” with a 21 inch beam and weighs 40 lbs. This beautiful kayak has an estimated retail value of $4,000. Materials for the kayak were donated by Schena and Newfound Woodworks.

The raffle: The raffle winner will be selected on the final day of Canoecopia, March 9, 2008 and if he/she is not present, then the winner will be notified via email or phone. Winner can take the kayak home with them on March 9, or make arrangements to pick up the kayak at Rutabaga Paddlesports within 30 days after contest ends. Please visit Canoecopia’s website at www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia for details and directions to the event.

Photos of the kayak:



Photos of the kayak’s progression:

All the wood is on the boat - now the sanding begins and the fiberglass will be applied.

Isn’t she beautiful?

Hot gluing fiberglass cloth in place. This step is in preparation for joining the hull and deck.

Hull and deck joined together - it’s now a boat!

The end pour - The end pour is needed to fill the end of the boat with a large amount of epoxy for strength. Later I will drill through it to install toggles.

Almost finished!

Why a kayak?

During each Infinite Boundaries retreat, breast cancer survivors are given the chance to push their boundaries and learn new skills such as kayaking, hiking, cycling or yoga. Activities such as these help to restore confidence in one’s body and provide participants a chance to ‘re-connect’ with their bodies. The most popular of all physical activities offered at Infinite Boundaries retreats is kayaking. Many participants are somewhat hesitant at first, but are willing to try kayaking after receiving hands-on instruction designed to meet their present level of expertise and skill.

One participant told us after her retreat, “I thought kayaking was for younger women, and I had my doubts whether I could do it. But I absolutely loved the feeling of freedom and lightness, as if I were flying. Also, seeing how well I could maneuver it even with my one arm that doesn’t work so well now. In fact I’ve decided that I’m going to buy one. It’s something I can probably continue to do into my 80s. So for me the retreat wasn’t just something to stretch my boundaries, it introduced me to something I fell in love with.”

We hope the retreat inspires all participants to explore new boundaries after breast cancer. We’ll meet you at Canoecopia!

Thank you to Joe Schena and to Michael at Newfound Woodworks for donating materials and expertise. Sincere thanks also to Stefanie Holt, Nancy Saulsbury and everyone at Rutabaga and Canoecopia for their work organizing this event.