On June 3, OluKai will partner with Austin-based retailer Tyler’s on Dam That Cancer, a premiere fundraising event benefitting the Flatwater Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides access to mental health services for those affected by cancer. Taking place on Lake Austin, Dam That Cancer is centered around a 21-mile stand-up paddle race and celebration. As a core ethos of OluKais Giveback Program, a portion of proceeds of OluKai sales at Tyler’s will go directly to the Flatwater Foundation from May 15th to June 15th.
Dam That Cancer participants are cancer survivors, brothers or sisters, sons or daughters, mothers or fathers or even the best friend of someone touched by the disease. The Flatwater Foundation is an Austin-based, non-profit dedicated to providing those in the community diagnosed with cancer, as well as their families and loved ones, access to therapy and physical activities to improve their mental health. Aligning with OluKais ongoing Giveback Program, this unique collaboration and sponsorship is one of many retail collaborations that the brand is rolling out this year.
OluKai is proud to join Tyler’s and support Dam That Cancers mission, says Kerry Konrady, OluKais marketing director. Tylers cultural values are closely aligned with our ‘Ohana Giveback Program; striving to make a local and meaningful impact to the community.
Along with local reps, OluKai mentor and member of the Hawaiian Waterman Hall of Fame, Archie Kalepa will be in attendance, inviting influential paddlers and local heroes to join him on his SUPsquatch, an oversized standup paddle board, to collectively race the 21-mile route through the entire length of Lake Austin. We have a saying in Hawaii that I think encompasses OluKais Hawaiian cultural values and our passion to help those in the community around us through our ‘Ohana Giveback Program: Malama Pono, which means take care do right, says Archie Kalepa, OluKai brand ambassador and mentor.
Paddlers entering in the race are showing their individual dedication in the global fight against cancer by raising over $1,500 each for The Flatwater Foundation. Riding stand-up paddle boards from Mansfield Dam to Tom Miller Dam, this group of committed paddlers will travel the entire length of Lake Austin, 21 total miles. Along the route, Tylers Dam That Cancer sponsors and volunteers will accompany the paddlers onboard the sponsor-ships, donated party-boats that will provide water, food and plenty of encouragement. Everyone will have the opportunity to participate and show support by attending the We Paddle, You Party fundraising celebration at the finish line, located at the one and only Hula Hut.
