At 8 a.m. on the 13th of April, a dedicated group of people will jump on their stand-up paddleboards in Naramata's Mill Bay, paddle the entire day and the entire night, and finish 24 hours after they started at 8 a.m. the next morning.

Granted, none of them will paddle the full 24 hours. That would be crazy. And pretty much impossible. But every minute of that 24 hour span – even in the wee hours when everyone knows Ogopogo is at its hungriest – there'll be at least one, and probably more, paddleboards cutting a line through the Mill Bay water.

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Why do they do it? One word – cancer.

It's called the Monster and Sea 24. It was founded in 2013 in Redmond, Washington, by a fellow named Troy Nebekar. Nebekar's wife was fighting cancer at the time, and he looked for a way to make a difference. His way was raising money and awareness through marathon relay paddleboarding.

Today, Monster and Sea 24 is into its fifth year. It's raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children and their families battling the disease, and it's spread to more than 30 cities across North America.

"This is our second year in Naramata," says organizer Paul Mend on an atypically warm March day on the shores of Mill Bay. "We managed to raise $6000 here in the South Okanagan last year, helping six families. Our goal this year is to meet or exceed that."

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Mend, a longtime Pen High instructor, explained that each beneficiary will receive $1,000. It's theirs to do with as they see fit.

"Basically, we hand deliver an envelope with a thousand dollars cash. They can use it however they need it – whether it's for medical or for hotel rooms or to have a trip to Disneyland."

And he talked about the kids they've already assisted.

"Last year, we had a young man here in the village, his name is Wills Hodgkinson, who's battling cancer. He's actually going to paddle with us this year with his dad, Tim. And there's Brandon Neufeld from Summerland. They both went to Holy Cross, and they're both battling cancer."

Ultimately, they ended up with six families last year, including one in Princeton and one in Osoyoos.

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For Mend, it all hits close to home.

"I got involved about three years ago. There's a young man who came and paddled with us last year. Nick Rutledge. His dad was one of my best friends going through Simon Fraser University. He played on our national field hockey team."

"Ross passed away sixteen years ago from liver cancer. And three years ago Nick was diagnosed with sinus cancer. It was devastating to say the least, because he's kind of like my surrogate nephew.

"So I contacted Scott Burton, who was handling the Monster and Sea for Vancouver, and I said 'Hey, I've got a young man who's battling cancer. Could he be one of the recipients?' So he was one of the recipients, and he's now clean and healthy and he paddled with us last year. And I think he's planning on coming again. Hopefully we'll have three survivors with us this year."

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One other thing. They all wear pink tutus. Seriously.

"Bob Purdy was an icon in the stand-up paddleboard community. He paddleboarded for 2000 days straight raising awareness for the environment. And he always wore a pink tutu. Everybody, and I mean everybody, loved Bob.

"He was diagnosed with sarcoma three years ago. He battled it awhile, and then he passed. Bob is in our hearts, always."

With Mend on this March afternoon was Eileen Meehan, owner of Naramata's Sun n' Sup paddleboard shop. She's been on board with Mend from the very beginning, and her shop plays an integral role. And she's all for more participation.

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"If we can get more people to come out, that would be awesome. The more you get to meet other people, the more awareness. And I think each year we're out on the water and the more we're seen on the water, the better it is for everyone."

If you're interested in paddling and or donating, or if you'd like to nominate a child and family who are fighting cancer, reach out to the local Monster and Sea 24 gang by email at sunnsupp@gmail.com or by phone at 250-488-2605. Or, more critically, check out their GoFundMe page.  

Meehan says she'll even help set up paddlers without boards, though she cautions that anyone considering taking part should be "comfortable on the water," bring along warm clothing and a headlamp.

"And maybe some cookies. Cookies are always welcome," she adds.