2000 - SICK PUPPY TOUR

Author: Patrick Linfors

June 11-16, 2000

$10,000 raised for the ACS

Frustrated and weary, Steve O’Brien wanted to act. During seven tough months of 1999, the 40-something high school teacher lost his mother and grandmother to cancer. His mom had battled lung cancer for four years. At her wake, he decided to "light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

Steve, a Key West native, didn’t pick up the paddle until he was 42. He started paddling waterways in South Florida as well as the Keys. He found kayaking a source of solitude, peace, and spirituality. Being on the water was a place to clear his mind and, not to mention, get some exercise.

Paddling also became a way of spending quality time with family. Steve and his sister Kim have paddled near and far. Kayaking also became a way of sharing good times with friends. From day trips around Key Biscayne to weekend camping trips out to Nest Key, kayaking went from hobby to passion.

In an inspired fit of insanity, he and three co-workers from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, paddled from Key Largo to Key West in the summer of 1998, simply "to see if it could be done." In what they now call "The Experiment", the foursome battled darkness, fatigue, hunger, massive mosquitoes, angry homeowners, and had the time of their lives.

The following spring, Steve’s mom lost her long battle with lung cancer. At her wake, Steve told Kim something had to be done. He knew now, first hand, how devastating cancer can be to those who have it -- and those who love them.

What happened next, Steve calls "an inspired moment." He decided to use his passion as a way to help. Knowing he couldn’t go back to school, become a doctor, and find a cure for cancer himself, he decided to help those who are already in the labs.

He dreamed up a plan to hop in a kayak, paddle the Atlantic Ocean down to Key West and raise money for cancer research.

His original plan was to do it by himself. Just Steve, the water, the mangroves, a change of clothes, and a mission. But as he tells it, "I realized I couldn’t stand myself alone for a week."

So he took his admittedly wild idea back to his friends and co-workers.

Bob Linfors was the first on-board. The 30-something English teacher had joined OB on the ‘98 excursion and was not about to turn down this challenge. Bob also had his heart in the mission, having lost a grandfather to cancer.

Fellow Columbus teacher Dave Isenberg was the next to sign on. The muscle-bound wrestling coach was ready for a battle. The balding father of two had just lost his young wife to breast cancer. He, too, wanted to stop cursing the darkness.

Steve felt the trio was solid but didn’t want any of them to be alone in a kayak. He wanted a fourth to fill out two tandems, so Bob tapped his younger brother Patrick, a reporter for Newsradio 610 WIOD in Miami. Although not in the best shape, Patrick embraced the challenge of a lifetime and rounded out the Castaways Against Cancer. He also combined the kayak trip with work, calling in each day of the trip to update listeners on the team’s progress.

After raising money through the spring, the Castaways prepared to ship off for their first annual trip in June 2000. Steve was the captain and Bob was the navigator. The starting point was Black Point Marina in South Miami-Dade. After six days of stiff winds, scorching sunshine, and tear-inducing muscle pain, they safely landed in Key West.

Tears were shed, beer was drunk and laughs were had. The unimaginable had been accomplished, loved ones were remembered and $10,000 had been raised for the American Cancer Society.