On Board 2020
When COVID-19 became a reality for all of us, one of the first things I thought of was how On Board was going to change. There were countless days of being stressed trying to plan the newly revised fundraiser. There were also so many phone calls, emails, and messages that made me feel so uncertain about how to safely co-ordinate the fundraiser. Luckily, I have been blessed to have an amazing support team behind me to make me feel as though I wasn’t alone in trying to pull off another amazing year. All of the credit goes to my incredible family!
We were all up since 5am, getting ready for an early 6:30am start at the WIFC in Welland, Ontario, Canada.
My family and I decided that keeping it simple was the best way to go. The five of us (myself, my mom, my dad, my sister and my brother) paddled 5kms down the Welland Canal on Sunday July 19th 2020 to keep the On Board tradition alive. We paddled for Julia Turner, Lynn Lambert, Dalton Jacques and McKenna Modler. We have raised $1,200.00 so far and I couldn’t be any happier.
A few days before the 19th we looked at the weather and planned to launch at 10am. The night before our paddle, we checked the weather again and had to come up with a new game plan… The forecast was showing 30km winds from the SW with gusts in the 40’s at 10am… Dang it! Thats a lot of wind!! We ended up launching at the WIFC at 6:30am and paddled downwind in order to have a safe but enjoyable experience on the canal. The wind was still blowing at 6:30am but the heat was more manageable then, and luck would have it, we missed the big storm that rolled in later that day!
My beautiful sister getting ready for our paddle
My heart was filled with joy watching my family paddle together for the first time in seven years down the Welland canal. My mom and dad had always been so busy on the land helping organize the event during past years that they hadn’t actually participated in the charity paddle once! That fact alone made this year particularly special while I looked at them paddling together. We laughed, splashed each other, and even stopped paddling for some early morning snacks to simply enjoy our time on the water together.
My brother rocking the Starboard Allstar lent out to us from Brad! Thank you Brad!
Was On Board very different this year? Heck yeah! But did that stop us from having a special day? Absolutely not! If COVID-19 has taught me anything over the past four months, it’s that you should never take the little moments in life for granted and be thankful for those around you who love you. I am so thankful for my family and every single person who supported our small but VERY special day on Sunday July 19th!
Much love everyone and I hope we can all paddle together next year at On Board 2021!
-Maddi xoxo :)
All five of us :) Im so lucky to call them my family!
If you would like to donate to On Board 2020 you can still do so here.
Photos courtesy of Dave J Media! Thanks for waking up so early to take pictures!!