Kiteboard 4 Cancer Michigan 2025 | Ride, Donate & Change Lives

Kiteboard 4 Cancer Michigan 2025 | Ride, Donate & Change Lives

Chasing Wind, Changing Lives: KB4C Michigan Returns October 18–24, 2025

Every fall, when the Great Lakes start to breathe cold and wild again, a new kind of energy fills the wind. It’s about chasing meaning.

This October, Kiteboard 4 Cancer (KB4C) Michigan returns with its week-long Endurance Derby, bringing riders together across the region to log miles, raise funds, and celebrate life beyond diagnosis.

From October 18–24, 2025, kiters and wingfoilers will track their sessions anywhere the wind takes them, from Muskegon to St. Joe, from Holland’s rolling surf to Chicago’s skyline breeze. Every mile ridden supports Project Koru, an organization that helps young adult cancer survivors heal through adventure and community.

It’s more than a fundraiser. It’s a movement powered by wind, water, and human grit. Each gust, each tack, each mile adds to a shared story of resilience that stretches across the Great Lakes, reminding us all that healing can happen in motion.

What Is KB4C Michigan?

At its heart, Kiteboard 4 Cancer is a movement born from wind and resilience, a way for riders to give back through the sport they love.

It began in 2007 in the Columbia River Gorge, when Oregon kiters Garret Zallen and Tonia Farman turned heartbreak into purpose after Tonia’s brother passed away from leukemia. That first event in Hood River brought riders together to transform endurance into impact, and it’s grown into North America’s largest amateur kiteboarding fundraiser. Over nearly two decades, KB4C Oregon has raised more than $1 million for Project Koru, helping over 700 young cancer survivors heal through adventure and connection.

Now, that same wind-powered mission has found new life on the Great Lakes. KB4C Michigan carries the torch east, blending the spirit of the Gorge with the grit of the Midwest. It’s a week-long endurance chase from October 18–24, where kiters and wingfoilers log miles, raise funds, and ride for purpose across the region.

While the event is anchored in St. Joseph, participation stretches far beyond a single beach. Whether you’re tacking upwind off South Haven, carving swell in Muskegon, or catching a fall breeze in Chicago, every mile adds to a collective current of hope.

It’s about the ride, what those miles mean. It’s about the freedom, connection, and the power of community to turn motion into healing.

KB4C Oregon and the Great Lakes Connection

In Oregon, Kiteboard 4 Cancer has become the heartbeat of the entire movement, a weekend where hundreds gather not just to ride, but to give. The six-hour endurance race is the centerpiece, a marathon that mirrors the daily fight of recovery. Riders circle the Columbia River course for hours, battling fatigue and chop while the crowd roars from the sandbar.

Around them, the festival hums with life. Families line the shore, food trucks and music fill the air, and volunteers keep the energy flowing, from safety boats and timing crews to photographers and beach check-ins. Local sponsors like Full Sail Brewing have been supporting since the early days, proving that community can turn wind into something that heals.

That spirit is what inspired riders in Michigan to take up the torch. When KB4C Michigan launched in 2023, the idea wasn’t to copy Oregon, it was to bring its heart home to the Midwest. The first year saw riders log over a hundred miles across Lake Michigan, Muskegon, and South Haven, raising nearly $20,000 in three weeks.

By 2024, another $14,000 followed, enough to send seven survivors to Camp Koru. But what truly defines KB4C Michigan isn’t numbers. It’s the way people show up.

Kiteboarders, wingfoilers, and even paddleboarders join “The Chase,” tracking sessions wherever the wind takes them. Friends road-trip from beach to beach, local shops donate gear, families organize logistics, and volunteers manage the Wrap-Up Party at the Box Factory in St. Joseph.

It’s smaller in scale than Oregon, but every bit as powerful. Each October, the same sense of endurance and joy fills Michigan’s shoreline, proving that even fresh-water waves can carry a legacy of hope.

Fall winds on the Great Lakes aren’t easy. They’re cold, unpredictable, and often fierce, but that’s what makes the chase so meaningful. Each ride becomes a test of endurance against the elements, a reminder that strength and purpose come from pushing through the rough days as much as the perfect ones. It’s that mix of challenge and beauty that mirrors the spirit behind KB4C, resilience in motion.

If you’ve ever stood on the pier watching kiters fly and thought “I want to be part of that,” this is your moment. Whether you ride, donate, or volunteer, KB4C Michigan is your invitation to join a wind-powered movement that changes lives.

Be part of the movement:


Why We Ride: The Cause

Every session starts with wind, but what fuels this one is purpose.

Kiteboard 4 Cancer was built on the belief that the same force that carries us across the water can carry people forward in life. Every year, the event raises funds for Project Koru, a nonprofit helping young adult cancer survivors (ages 18–39) reclaim confidence and joy after treatment.

For survivors, these programs are more than retreats, they’re lifelines. At Camp Koru, survivors surf, paddle, snowboard, and kiteboard in some of the world’s most beautiful places, from Maui to Oregon to Costa Rica. They rediscover strength in motion and community in every shared wave.

Every mile logged during KB4C turns into opportunity, covering travel, equipment, meals, and coaching that help survivors reconnect with their bodies and each other. It’s movement with meaning, energy that multiplies.

When riders in Michigan chase gusts this October, they’re doing more than tracking miles. They’re reminding survivors everywhere that freedom is still possible, and that even after the storm, there’s always another wind to catch.

That’s why we ride, not for trophies or stats, but for the chance to turn motion into meaning.

How to Join the Endurance Derby

The KB4C Michigan Endurance Derby isn’t about where you ride, it’s about how far your spirit can go. For one week, October 18–24, 2025, kiters and wingfoilers across the Great Lakes will chase the wind, log miles, and raise funds to help young cancer survivors find strength through adventure.

Here’s how to get involved:

  1. Sign up through Project Koru or email events@projectkoru.org.
  2. Ride anywhere. Lake Michigan, Superior, Huron, or your favorite inland lake, if there’s wind, it counts.
  3. Track your miles using a Woo, GPS watch, or tracking app.
  4. Raise funds by asking friends, family, or sponsors to pledge per mile.
  5. Submit totals by October 25 to join the leaderboard and celebration.

There’s no single starting line, no fixed course, just seven days to ride for something bigger. Some chase distance goals; others share photos, videos, or family rides from their home spots. Every session connects you to riders doing the same thing hundreds of miles away.

This is “The Chase”, a week-long journey powered by community and curiosity. One day might bring a downwinder from Muskegon to Grand Haven, the next a quick wingfoil session in South Haven’s golden light. You’ll rig in parking lots, share weather tips, and trade stories about where the wind took you.

It’s part road trip, part fundraiser, and part test of will. What unites it all is purpose, a shared effort to turn water time into hope.

So check the forecast, charge your Woo, and join the chase. Somewhere out there, the next gust is waiting, and so is your reason to ride.

Project Koru – Turning Donations Into Life-Changing Adventure

Every mile ridden, every dollar raised, and every volunteer hour donated during KB4C fuels one thing: Project Koru.

The nonprofit helps young adult cancer survivors (ages 18–39) rebuild strength, confidence, and joy through outdoor adventure and community. The name Koru comes from the Māori word for an unfurling fern, a symbol of new beginnings.

That’s exactly what survivors find at Camp Koru, a week-long adventure program where healing happens in motion. Participants surf, paddle, snowboard, or kiteboard in some of the most beautiful places on earth, Maui, Hood River, and Costa Rica among them. Each day becomes a reminder that movement can restore what illness took away.

Since KB4C began, Project Koru has hosted over 60 adventure programs and supported more than 700 survivors worldwide. The results speak for themselves:

  • 99% of survivors say Camp Koru met or exceeded expectations.
  • 98% found a lasting support network through their camp community.
  • Nearly every participant leaves with renewed confidence and a sense of purpose.

A single scholarship, about $2,000, covers a full week of travel, gear, coaching, and support for one survivor. Each KB4C rider helps make that possible.

Volunteers form the backbone of those programs. They prep meals, set up gear, guide mindfulness sessions, and simply show up, proving that presence itself can be healing. When riders raise funds and volunteers give their time, they work in tandem to create something extraordinary: adventure as medicine.

That’s what makes KB4C powerful, it doesn’t end at the finish line. It begins again at Camp Koru, where survivors take what the wind gave and carry it into the rest of their lives.

Survivor Stories and Community Highlights

Every KB4C event is powered by people, the riders, the survivors, and the volunteers who make the wind mean more.

Here in Michigan, Beth Peck, a local kiter and young cancer survivor, attended Camp Koru in Oregon and came home determined to bring that same healing energy to her own waters. With help from fellow riders and Project Koru’s team, she launched the first KB4C Michigan, proving that the event’s spirit can live anywhere the wind blows.

Across the country, riders like Xan “Hulk” Harwood-Karlik have shown what it means to complete the circle. After surviving cancer and learning to kiteboard through Project Koru, he went on to help raise more than $100,000 for the same cause that gave him a second wind.

Families join in too, some ride in honor of loved ones, others volunteer year after year to give back to the community that once supported them. And every so often, new faces surprise everyone, like the 7-year-old from Spain who joined the virtual race in 2023, logging his own miles from across the world.

Then there are the volunteers, the quiet heroes with clipboards, cameras, radios, and coffee. They check riders in, coordinate safety boats, manage donations, and cheer from the pier. Some are survivors themselves; others are simply people who believe in showing up.

That mix of endurance, laughter, and shared purpose gives KB4C its pulse. Every story adds to a growing wave of hope, one that starts with wind on water and ends with lives changed on shore.

Wrap-Up Celebration & Looking Ahead to KB4C Michigan 2025

After a week of chasing wind and logging miles across the Great Lakes, it all comes home to St. Joseph.

On Saturday, October 25, riders, volunteers, and supporters will gather at The Box Factory for the Arts for the official KB4C Michigan Wrap-Up Celebration, a night to honor what the wind carried and what the community built together.

Expect live music, stories from the chase, awards for top riders, and a live tally of funds raised for Project Koru. The atmosphere feels part reunion, part victory lap. There’ll be food, prizes, and plenty of energy, the kind of night that reminds everyone why they ride. Entry is a $10 suggested donation, with every dollar going directly to support survivor programs.

This isn’t just a party. It’s a moment to reflect on the collective effort that turns stoke into service. When the music winds down and the last stories are shared, what remains is the reason everyone came together: hope, carried forward on the wind.

As KB4C Michigan enters its third year, the momentum continues to build. Each season brings more riders, more volunteers, and more stories of strength. What started on the Columbia River has found a second home on the Great Lakes, smaller waves, same purpose.

Whether you’re a seasoned kiter, a weekend foiler, or someone who simply believes in the cause, there’s a place for you here. Maybe you’ll be out on the water this October, racking up miles with your tracker running. Maybe you’ll be onshore checking in riders, helping pour coffee, or cheering from the pier.

However you join, you’ll be part of something bigger than sport, a shared pursuit to move lives forward.

Because when the wind turns this fall and the lakes come alive again, we’ll all be chasing the same thing, not just wind, but hope that keeps people moving.

Sign Up, Donate, and Make a Difference

The wind doesn’t wait, and neither should we.

Whether you’re riding, donating, or cheering from shore, KB4C Michigan 2025 is your chance to turn motion into meaning. Sign up today to join the Endurance Derby, and ride wherever the wind takes you from October 18–24. Every mile you log helps fund Project Koru, giving young cancer survivors the chance to heal through adventure and rediscover life after treatment. In Michigan, those funds don’t just travel across the country, they ripple through the local riding scene. Each year, more riders, families, and shops join the movement, turning wind and water into a force for good and inspiring the next wave of Great Lakes kiters to ride with purpose.

If you can’t ride this year, you can still make waves. Donate directly to Project Koru, volunteer at the Wrap-Up Celebration in St. Joseph, or share the event to help spread the word. Every rider, every supporter, every dollar keeps the story moving forward.

At its core, Kiteboard 4 Cancer isn’t about distance, it’s about connection: to the water, to each other, and to a cause that moves us all.

So wax your board, check the forecast, and join the chase. Together, we’ll ride for something that lasts longer than any session, the power to change lives with wind, courage, and community.

Ready to ride for something bigger?
Be part of the movement that’s changing lives across the Great Lakes.

Every mile, every dollar, and every helping hand makes a difference.
Let’s chase the wind, and bring hope ashore.

 

KB4C Michigan 2025 – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kiteboard 4 Cancer (KB4C) Michigan?

Kiteboard 4 Cancer Michigan is a week-long kiteboarding and wingfoiling endurance challenge held October 18–24, 2025, across the Great Lakes. Riders log as many miles as they can while raising funds for Project Koru, a nonprofit that helps young adult cancer survivors heal through adventure, sport, and community.

Where does the event take place?

The Michigan edition is based in St. Joseph, with the Wrap-Up Celebration on October 25 at The Box Factory for the Arts.

But the riding happens anywhere the wind blows, from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron, Superior, or even inland lakes. If there’s wind and water, it counts.

How do I join the Endurance Derby?

It’s easy:

  1. Sign up through the official event page or email events@projectkoru.org
  2. Ride anytime between October 18–24, tracking your sessions with a GPS, Woo, or smartwatch
  3. Submit your mileage totals by October 25
  4. Raise funds by asking friends, family, or sponsors to pledge per mile

You can ride as a kiteboarder, wingfoiler, or both. The focus isn’t competition, it’s contribution.

Do I have to be an advanced rider?

Not at all. KB4C welcomes all skill levels, from weekend freeriders to seasoned wind chasers. Ride one session or a dozen, every mile matters.

If you’re not riding this year, you can still get involved by volunteering, helping with logistics, or cheering riders on at the Wrap-Up Celebration.

How much does it cost to participate?

Registration details for 2025 will be announced soon. Typically, riders make a small entry donation that goes directly to Project Koru. Many participants also raise additional funds through pledges or sponsorships.

Every dollar supports Camp Koru, where survivors rebuild confidence and connection through outdoor adventure.

Can I volunteer instead of riding?

Absolutely. Volunteers are the heartbeat of KB4C. You can help with:

  • Rider check-ins and logistics
  • Safety and on-water coordination
  • Event photography and video
  • Wrap-Up Celebration setup and guest support

To volunteer, contact events@projectkoru.org or reach out to Stoke Riders on social media.

What happens at the Wrap-Up Celebration?

On October 25, everyone gathers at The Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph for the final celebration. Expect live music, awards, raffle prizes, and stories from the chase.

Entry is a $10 suggested donation, and all proceeds support Project Koru survivor programs.

How do donations make an impact?

Funds raised through KB4C Michigan help send young cancer survivors to Camp Koru, week-long adventure retreats where they surf, snowboard, kiteboard, and reconnect with life after treatment.

In 2024, Michigan riders raised enough to send seven survivors to camp, proving that every mile and every dollar make a real difference.

Can I participate from outside Michigan?

Yes. Riders from anywhere on the Great Lakes or beyond can join. Whether you’re kiting on Lake Erie, winging on Superior, or foiling on an inland lake, you’re part of the same wind-powered movement.

How can local businesses or brands support?

Sponsors and local partners play a huge role in keeping KB4C Michigan growing. Businesses can:

  • Sponsor riders or mileage pledges
  • Donate raffle or event prizes
  • Match employee fundraising
  • Provide food, drinks, or event supplies

To get involved, contact events@projectkoru.org or message Stoke Riders directly.

Where can I follow updates or register?

Stay connected through:

  • Project Koru – projectkoru.org
  • Stoke Riders Blog – for coverage, rider highlights, and event updates
  • Local kite shops and Facebook groups – for registration links and local coordination

 

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