Waking up this morning, I rubbed my eyes, checked the alarm clock, and then smiled as I realized that the INCREDIBLE event which had occurred yesterday was, in fact, more than just a dream.
GOALS and FLAIK made a great team!
When the GOALS Board of Directors designed the 1st annual “Get Up & Get Down to Get Kids Out” Vertical Challenge event, we set out to accomplish three objectives. The missions of the event were to:
1. Raise the funds we need to support our river programs for kids.
2. Generate awareness of the young organization and our offerings in various canyons.
3. Promote healthy, outdoor, active lifestyles.
In the end, this inaugural event raised almost $20,000 from donors in 32 states (as well as Canada and Argentina), while 40 skiers/riders logged a cumulative total of over 655,000 vertical feet!
Tough to argue that all three objectives were accomplished, as expectations were not only met, but far surpassed in all three areas!!
There are a number of individuals and companies who deserve praise and thanks for their efforts in helping to make the event a success. First and foremost, we owe a big thanks to Loveland Ski Area. We feel very fortunate to have been able to host this event at a location who not only ALLOWED us, but WELCOMED everyone associated with the event, even on a prime Saturday in March. Loveland’s event staff went out of their way to make sure that we had all we needed to make the event go off without a hitch – and even donated a 2011/12 season pass to be used in a drawing that went back to a participant who had worked hard to raise money for GOALS. We’re very thankful for the opportunities that Loveland allowed us.
Vertical Challenge participants stop in to the tent to check their real-time progress.
We’d like to thank FLAIK, a Boulder-based company whose tracking devices were the gears that made the event turn. Their staff was well-organized and supportive, and their devices were very simple to use. Participants LOVED the ability to check-in at our tent and monitor their real-time progress in vertical feet, total distance, and top speed throughout the day. Now, even after the event, they can have fun “re-living their day” and sharing with others!
Zach Bass reacts after winning the Icelantic skis drawing!
Additionally, we’re thankful for the donations that came from Icelantic Skis and Never Summer Snowboards. These companies are both Colorado-based, and respected as companies on the leading edge of creating the best skis and snowboards available anywhere. By donating product, they motivated participants to fund raise aggressively in the hopes of being entered into prize drawings, and ultimately allowed GOALS to thank people by handing them an incredible pair of skis or a snowboard in recognition of their efforts. We’d also like to thank Cloudveil for their support in supplying outerwear for the board of directors and event staff, and Moosejaw for prize donations.
Last, but CERTAINLY not least, GOALS wants to offer a sincere thanks to ALL participants. This event would have gone nowhere without the dedication of those who registered, raised funds, and skied or rode as hard as they did. While we’re appreciative of everyone’s efforts, and hope that they’ll all return with a team of friends for the event next year, we’d be remiss if not to mention the efforts of 6 people whose fund raising totaled more than 50% of the total amount raised. There aren’t enough high fives, hugs, or handshakes out there to properly thank Topher Brewer, Zach Bass, Sandy Rich, Kristin Hochmuth, Zach Blickenstaff, and Kevin Zegan for their efforts. Together, these 6 dedicated individuals generated $11,210 for GOALS – enough for us to sponsor 186 kid-in-a-canyon days!!
The 1st annual GOALS Vertical Challenge - cause for celebration!!
In the end, while GOALS was likely the “biggest winner” at the end of this event, the following participants should be recognized for their incredible efforts:
- Most Vertical Feet: 38,388 by Patrick Whitesel
- Greatest Linear Distance Skied: 33.34 miles by Patrick Whitesel.
- Top Speed: 55.2 mph by Kyle Knaeble
For a full list of event statistics, click here.
THANK YOU to everyone who participated in the event at any level. We hope to see you all at the 2nd annual Get Up & Get Down to Get Kids Out Vertical Challenge event in 2012!!
