Enter this SUP event: Beat Cancer by paddling Across the Bay

"We want to offer an opportunity to everyone wanting to make a difference in this word. As long as you know how to swim, you have lots of time to be ready for the Paddle Across the Bay"

Two hundred paddlers will embark on a downwinder this February, across Port Phillip Bay. They'll be joined by a few hundred kiteboarders, and each and every one will be donating money to cancer research in the 2016 Across The Bay event, supporting the Cancer Council of Victoria. The event will run from Brighton Beach in Melbourne to Port Melbourne, across Port Phillip Bay and a downwind distance of 10km. Across that distance will be 200 paddlers, representing $20,000 in donations (just from their entry fee!) to Cancer research. So get out there and start training for Australia's biggest stand up paddling event. It's of course fully supported by a team of volunteers in boats, who will be making the journey on the sidelines, picking up the broken gear and handing out energy boosters along the way. To keep paddlers safe, a buddy system will be in place, requiring each paddler to stick with a friend at all times. Don't worry if none of your mates paddle though! There's a system on the event website to hook up solo paddlers. "Over the years since started this crusade we've been told many times "this is a great cause but unfortunately not many can take on the challenge". Tells event organiser Cesar Aldea. "Our mission is to develop exciting challenges that can attract 100s of everyday heroes to make a difference, to conquer cancer. So, this time not only there is a wind challenge that will bring kitesurfers and windsurfers together to achieve a common goal, this time we've designed a challenge for everyone. Paddle Across The Bay. We want to offer an opportunity to everyone wanting to make a difference in this word. As long as you know how to swim, you have lots of time to be ready for it." To further raise money by stand up paddling for Cancer research, each participant is required to start their own Everyday Hero account for the event. In doing so, and with a little bit of active recruitment, it is hoped to raise far more than the base $20,000 in entry fees! It all kicks off on February 6th, so r egister your entry now at www.acrossthebay.com.au