What key terminology or slang do you need to know in order to fit in with other long-boarders?

There was a little vocabulary learning to do haha! I remember the first term I was corrected on, I was watching some riders on hill, flying down the hill then skidding around a tight corner. I said the word skidding and was corrected by one rider that the proper term was “sliding” around the corner.

One of my favorite has to be “sesh”. “Hey, what are you guys doin’ tonight? Wanna go sesh?” Referring to a skate “session” of course. Can’t wait to through that into a boardroom discussion haha!!

Describe your first experience with long boarding.

I never was a very good skateboarder as a kid – at least what they passed off as skateboards back in the day, yet was convinced that this “long boarding” thing was doable. My first day on a long board was a half hour of familiarizing. I found an empty parking lot, looked around to make sure there were no witnesses and pushed myself slowly and very carefully in one direction, then back. About a half an hour later that was pretty easy. Day 2. I went back to that parking lot, there were 4 kids there, Brandon, who I think was 12 at the time and a few of his friends. I asked them straight up, alright gentlemen, how do I ride this thing? In one hour with these fellas they graciously showed me how to push, how to jump off and run it out if I had to stop, how to turn, and rode down a hill. I recognized some similarity to snowboarding and it progressed pretty quick. I’ll never forget that day… hanging with a bunch of 12 year olds and having an absolute blast!

Was it easy to become accepted by the long boarding community?

Let me say this about the long boarding community in general. There was no becoming accepted BY them, we ALL already are. They are the most accepting of any demographic I’ve ever witnessed. Predominantly open and accepting, highly environmentally conscious, responsible, huge hearted, charitable, easy-going, no prejudice, self-confident, self-challenging, loyal, tight-knit… This is coming from a 40-er-something businessman that sees fewer of those genuine traits in my own demographic – my cohorts could certainly learn a thing or two about. And hey, I’m not alone in this, I’ve met plenty of other riders my age who’ve seen it and are completely blown away with this. Much of any negativity regarding the community is generated by the very few actual cases and events of the minority. Treat the individuals of the long boarding community with respect and be genuine. All it takes to be “in” is to have a board.

How did you come up with the name “Long for Life”?

I remember our very first conversation about a year ago when he brought this vision to me and said he wanted to call it Long For Life. When I asked him why, he told me why. He spoke of his passions and listed 3 or 4 connotations within that title that spoke of his whys and passions. Then I picked myself up off the floor.

Crossing Canada on long boards to raise money for children’s cancer initiatives is very admirable. What made you decide to take this on?

What is your biggest obstacle for this cross Canada Trek?

I would have said the logistics, fund raising, oh the training! Wait, probably the logistics. This involves some unbelievably intense planning seshes (see what I did right there?). Not knowing a lot of the variables plans are changing constantly. We don’t really let that get to us; we simply roll with it and trust the outcome – one of the biggest lessons learned from Brandon’s cancer. Not all pitfalls can be avoided, but they surely can be solved when they arise. They’re just walls…so knock ‘em down.

What are you and your son, Brandon, most excited for during this experience?

Oh wow there are so many levels, and so many rewards… To do something great for a cause, spread the message, create awareness, help the kids – all are amazing. That’s what makes this phenomenal. Having said that, the greatest personal victory is in the challenge! There is no better feeling than taking on a RIDICULOUSLY significant challenge and winning it. Something so huge that it seems surreal. Everything significant I’ve ever been part of was a huge win. It was when I played it small and safe that things seem to have not worked out. In life, in business, in play…same rules apply.

Ask yourself, “when was the last time you threw both fists high in the air and shouted YEEAAAHHHH! when nobody was around? If you haven’t felt that lately, when was the last time you pursued something to give you that feeling?” That’s a great way to find new passion, and purpose. Passion and purpose are a huge factor to beating cancer, too.

What would you like to say to the supporters of Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation?

There are so many great messages to share, so many great people involved with Coast To Coast from riders to the team, so many great things being accomplished, and doing it right – with integrity. I’d like to say, it’s fantastic to work with and support Coast To Coast initiatives. Looking forward to many great years and tears ahead!

Oh, and of course, like our Facebook and send us an encouraging message from time to time. We cannot do this alone! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Long-For-Life-Canada/

Follow Michael and Brandon’s journey or join in on the action at www.coasttocoastagainstcancer.org/longforlife or www.longforlife.ca!

On Saturday January 26th, the Armenian Community Centre of Cambridge was overflowing with glitz, glamour and good cheer as the Work for a Cure team put on their annual Orange Carpet Gala Extravaganza!

The night was filled with fabulous food, touching speeches, top-notch entertainment, silent and live auction items, a fun photo booth and most importantly, the best company you could ask for!

The most exciting part of the evening was the announcement of their total funds raised in 2012….
Drum roll please! —over $120,000 raised for the charities they support. One of the beneficiaries is our very own Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation which will be receiving approx. $40,000!

We are so grateful for the work that this team of dedicated, spunky people do for their community and for children living with and beyond cancer.

A big thank you to Andrew, Rina and the rest of the Nelson family for their continued support!

For more information on Work for a Cure, please visit www.workforacure.org

Thank you, Work for a Cure!