Champion of the Crescent is BC’s signature annual stand-up paddle board charity event. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us on July 23, 2026. Together, 25 teams of paddlers, sponsors, donors and volunteers came together at Crescent Beach and raised $213,545 in support of regional youth mental health programs at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

Every paddle stroke helped strengthen specialized mental health programs that support children and youth across the Fraser Health Region. 

 

Event Highlights

Together, We raised $213,545. 

Because of our incredible community, Champion of the Crescent was another outstanding success.

Funds raised through this year’s event will strengthen regional youth mental health programs at Surrey Memorial Hospital, helping care teams better support children and youth experiencing mental health challenges through specialized training, resources and programs.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor EllisDon, our sponsors, donors, volunteers and every team who helped make this event possible.

About the Event

Paddlers competed for the coveted Champion of the Crescent trophy in a fast-paced elimination-style relay race, bringing together friendly competition, community spirit and a shared commitment to improving youth mental health. Congratulations to the Surrey Firefighters, this year’s Champion of the Crescent. 

From first-time paddlers to experienced competitors, participants came together for an unforgettable day on the water all in support of children and youth across our region.

 

The Cause

More than 75% of mental health conditions begin before the age of 25. Without early intervention, these challenges can persist into adulthood, impacting education, relationships, and long-term wellbeing. 

As the regional centre for acute youth mental health care, the Surrey Memorial Hospital campus supports children and youth from all over the Lower Mainland through specialized programs including the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Stabilization Unit (CAPSU), the Adolescent Day Treatment Program (ADTP), and the Adolescent Psychiatric Unit (APU).

Through these programs, your support helps provide:

Art, music and recreation therapy

Creative therapies give young people meaningful ways to express what they may not yet have words for, helping reduce anxiety, build confidence, and support emotional healing during critical moments of care. 

Sensory interventions

Specialized sensory tools and calming environments help regulate overwhelming emotions, allowing children and youth to feel safe, regain control, and engage more fully in their treatment and recovery. 

Therapeutic writing

Structured writing practices empower young people to process their experiences, build self-awareness, and develop lifelong coping strategies that support their mental wellbeing beyond their time in hospital. 

Why it Matters

“You aren’t just funding programs. You’re funding second chances. You’re funding futures. You’re funding the possibility that someone who once believed they would never make it to adulthood gets to stand up here in front of you all today and say, ‘I did.'” – Grateful Youth Speaker

Thanks to our Champion of the Crescent community, funds raised will help strengthen these regional programs by supporting specialized training for care teams, expanding access to evidence-based programs and ensuring children and youth receive the care they need, when they need it most.