The 14th Annual Cape Cod Bay Challenge (CCBC), the oldest and most recognized stand up paddle (SUP) event in the Northeast, returns this year in-person and virtually to benefit Christopher’s Haven, a home for kids when cancer hits home. Paddlers will complete the challenge either on their own time from various locations between Saturday, July 24 and Saturday, July 31, 2021, or by participating in an in-person paddle on Saturday, July 31, 2021 from Duxbury Beach.
For the first time, the CCBC is offering two different in-person paddle options: a 16-mile distance paddle, or a five-mile “CCBC-Lite” paddle. Distance paddlers will depart Duxbury Beach at Noon on Saturday, July 31 and make their way north up the coast and into the South River to finish at the Rail Trail Bridge 7-miles up the river. CCBC-Lite paddlers will start near the Sea Street Bridge in Marshfield and meet up with the distance paddlers at approximately 4pm to head up the South River to the finish. Upon arrival at the Rail Trail bridge, paddlers will exit the water and walk their boards across the street to the After Paddle Celebration at the Levitate Backyard & Rexicana Surf Cantina from 6:00 – 9:00pm. Paddlers and non-paddlers alike are welcome at the celebration, but all must register to attend.
Based on the success of the virtual paddle last year, the CCBC is offering a remote paddle option for those who want to raise money and awareness for Christopher’s Haven but can’t participate in-person this year, or who may want to participate but live in another part of the country. Virtual paddlers nationwide will take to the water from a location of their choice to paddle a minimum 15-mile route between Saturday, July 24 and Saturday, July 31. Virtual paddlers should not paddle alone and will be required to have a support boat if they are paddling a route that will take them further than 1/8 of a mile offshore.
After registration, all paddlers will receive a link to set up a GoFundMe 2021 CCBC page to help raise funds for Christopher’s Haven.
“The tradition of the CCBC will carry on this year in three unique, exciting ways,” said CCBC Co-founder Bob Babcock. “By adding a shorter, five-mile paddle this year we hope to reach even more people for our in-person event while still offering the virtual paddle option. Our safety protocols will still be strictly enforced as our paddlers’ safety remains our top priority.”
100% of the proceeds from the CCBC will benefit Christopher’s Haven, located at One Emerson Place in Boston’s West End, across the street from Massachusetts General Hospital. Over 500 families have stayed at Christopher’s Haven to date, and the Cape Cod Bay Challenge’s support over the past 14 years has contributed to making those stays possible.
“It’s invaluable what Bob Babcock, Mike Chase, and their team at Cape Cod Bay Challenge has done to support us for well over a decade,” said Christopher’s Haven Executive Director Joyce Duvall. “We cherish all of our partners, but it’s truly special when an organization from outside the Boston region supports our cause and spreads the word about what we do to other parts of the state and beyond. Christopher’s Haven is welcoming and accepting of families and children from all over the state, the country and the world, and organizations like CCBC help us get that message across,” added Duvall.
Christopher’s Haven operates and manages nine residential apartments and a community area (The Loft) that offers a space for recreation, sharing and support for the families. As of May 2021, 500 families have stayed in the fully furnished and equipped apartments located at One Emerson Place (across the street from Massachusetts General Hospital). Families value the close proximity to the area medical centers, treasure the ability to be together in an apartment setting with their whole immediate family, and cherish the much-needed support with other families facing similar circumstances during interaction in The Loft.
Paddler registration, ticket information, and pricing can be found by visiting Eventbrite.
About Christopher’s Haven
Opened on Labor Day 2006, Christopher’s Haven is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Boston, Massachusetts with a mission to operate a supportive community consisting of nine temporary apartments and a community recreation area for families of children being treated for cancer in nearby Boston hospitals. Christopher’s Haven holds the distinction of being the only organization of its kind that offers an apartment setting for the entire family, specific programs and activities for children undergoing outpatient treatment, as well as programs for siblings and parents, and takes full advantage — through the help of an extensive volunteer network — of both the unparalleled medical and cultural advantages of Boston. For more information, please visit http://www.christophershaven.org.
