Did you know that 320 Australia’s die every month from Bowel Cancer and that 1 in 12 Australian’s will be diagnosed with Bowel Cancer by aged 85. Bowel Cancer is the second largest cause of cancer deaths in Australia. The positive is that 90% of Bowel Cancer can be successfully treated through early detection and screening.
Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender presenter Peter Wells and member of Narrabeen SLSC has decided he can help by creating greater awareness of this preventable disease. Pete will join mate Doug Lucas, President of Long Reef SLSC on an epic paddling adventure raising money for research.
On Saturday 28th November, 2009 Pete and Doug will depart from Boomerang Beach (near Forster) on Sydney’s Mid North Coast and paddle their Ocean Skis 320 kilometers south arriving at Shellhabour on the NSW South Coast on Saturday 5th December, 2009.
The pair will paddle the set 320 kilometers this being the number of deaths that occur each month in Australia. In their quest for funds on behalf of Bowel Cancer Australia they have set a target of $32,000
37 year old Pete has completed a number of adventures in his life visiting nomads by camel in the Sahara desert; climbing to 8201m in Tibet for a good view of Everest; learning Swahili under the influence of altitude on Africa’s Kilimanjaro; and trying to video the active volcano Krakatoa in Java without falling in! The paddle also forms part of Pete’s intense multi-discipline training schedule for the biggest challenge of his life - an attempt on Mt Everest. Pete has recently completed in the iconic Coolangatta Gold Ironman coming 8th in his age Category. But Everest is the ultimate challenge a dream of his for years, he’ll make his attempt with adventurers and mates Steve Bock and Darren Robertson from the South Side in Nepal in May 2010. The team hopes their attempt might also raise awareness of bowel cancer, which claimed the life of Steve’s father last year.
Doug himself is no stranger to adventure hiking in the Tasmanian wilderness and spending considerable time in the Lake Districts in North West England, Doug has also competed strongly in two Coolangatta Gold Ironman events 2007 and 2008 as well as being a regular ocean ski competitor at races around Australia. In 2004 Doug was named as the Australian Surf Lifesaver of the Year and is currently in his 3rd term as President of Long Reef SLSC located on the Sydney Northern Beaches. Doug is very excited about the opportunity for getting involved in creating increased awareness for Bowel cancer as it is a treatable disease with early detection. Doug is also keen to keep Pete motivated and if he thinks that Pete is taking it a little easy along the way in his multi-discipline training for Everest has offer for Pete to drag him along with a rope whilst he has a rest!
You can watch Pete and Doug’s progress via the web as they head south down the NSW Coast on what will certainly be an amazing ocean adventure. It is hoped that fellow paddlers and the community will contribute to Pete and Doug’s quest to raise awareness and generously donate some much needed funds.
Tax deducible donations can be made at www.paddle320.com Every cent counts.
