Rest in Peace Bob
Stefan Idzan, Bob Purdy & Tim Quarles
Tragically, Bob Purdy lost his battle with cancer this past Monday, January 29th, 2018 at the age of 64 years young.
Bob was one of a kind… The most passionate paddlers I’ve ever had the chance to meet and incredibly passionate about taking care of this planet we call home.
Some of his career highlights, well from my brief time in working with and knowing him, include…
- Paddling every single day for 2,100 days straight for his charitable organization, Paddle for the Planet.
- Founder of World Paddle for the Planet.
- Featured role in The Canadian Surfer movie.
- Starring role in The Paddler movie.
- Paddling the entire length of Lake Okanagan in one day.
- Huge attempt in petitioning for Transport Canada to accept the leash as a reasonable alternative to the PFD.
And so many more… We will miss you Bob, you truly were one of the extra good ones.
And for posterity’s sake, here’s Bob’s first press release about his Paddle for the Planet initiative, from 2010…
My name is Bob Purdy; I am an “Elder in Training”. Someone once told me an “old person” goes on about nothing, whereas an “Elder” imparts wisdom with a keen sense of awareness! I am a rookie “Elder in Training”, just starting the observational phase of what promises to be a lengthy education.
For my first assignment, I have been charged with observing “Nature” and the “Way” we live here on “Earth”. It would appear that as a species, we humans have taken advantage of “Nature’s” good nature for too long. The evidence is in the land, the water and the air! My rapidly developing skills of observation tell me that “Nature” is calling us to change our “Ways”!
Bob Purdy & Kevin O’brien
I am also a “Standup Paddle Surfer”. A somewhat enthusiastic “Standup Paddle Surfer”, some say obsessive! For me, “Standup Paddle Surfing” has progressed far beyond a sport into a way of life. “Standup Paddle Surfing” has helped to deepen my connection with “Nature” and has motivated me to answer “Nature’s Call”, perhaps do something “Outstanding”!
“Paddle for the Planet” is this “Standup Paddle Surfing, Elder in Training, Outstanding Somewhere” person’s “Way” of answering “Nature’s Call”! I came up with the idea awhile back to paddle every day for a year, perhaps as a fund raiser for the “David Suzuki Foundation”, an organization I have contributed to for many years. I was not prepared for the reception to my idea. To my surprise, after friends and family stopped laughing, they totally embraced the idea. So, I approached the “David Suzuki Foundation” and they liked the idea as well. One thing led to another and it is now official, this “Standup Paddle Surfing, Elder in Training, Outstanding Somewhere” person will indeed be “Outstanding Somewhere” every day starting New Year’s Day 2011, to answer “Nature’s Call” for a different “Way”!
“Paddle for the Planet” has been created to “Answer Nature’s Call”! You are invited along for the ride in 2011 and can follow our progress via the links below! How can you help? You can make a donation, every penny collected goes directly to the “David Suzuki Foundation” in support of the amazing work they do for “Mother Earth”! You can try something new ecology wise, start a project of your own, or?……….
One person is the difference, stand up and be that person!
From “Paddle for the Planet”, Thank You for your interest and support!
Paddle starts New Year’s Day, January 1, 2011, 1 pm at Rotary Beach in Kelowna, B.C.
