Conquer the Rock

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a chronic and progressive disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 60,000 children and adults in the United States (140,000 worldwide). There is currently no cure for CF but with specialized medical care, aggressive drug treatments, therapies, and proper nutrition, those with CF can lengthen and improve their quality of life.  

Piper’s Angels Foundation (AdvocacyNeedsGlobalEmpowermentLifelongService) supports those with CF and their family by raising awareness to the disease, bringing critical financial support to families, offering life-expanding activities, and much more.  

This year, local first responder, musician, and father of four Josh Ferris is bringing something new to Marco Island. To understand where it all began, we take a short trip back to 2016, when the idea originated right here on Marco Island during a conversation between friends.  

Josh’s friend and founder of the organization, Travis Suit, daughter Piper was diagnosed with CF at a young age. In 2013, Travis and three friends paddled from Bimini to West Palm, in the attempt to raise awareness on this disease that had changed the trajectory not only of his young daughter’s life, but that of his family.He raised money locally through talking with the community and the news.  

In 2016, he had a vision:To create a foundation that benefits families affected by cystic fibrosis. 

As Josh listened to Travis pitching his ideas on the foundation and beyond, a lightbulb moment of taking this one-time paddle trip and turning it into an eventoccurred. A world-class international event that can raise money and awareness for CF. 
“In 2017, we had a goal of $50,000. I think we raised $133,000 with 34 paddlers. This was going from Bimini to Dania Beach, 50 miles. In 2018, we had 100 paddlers. We had a goal of $150,000. We raised $280,000, going from Bimini to Lake Worth (West Palm), 82 miles. In 2019, we had 220 paddlers and raised over $500,000. This grew exponentially in a really short period of time.” 

Ferris paddled in ‘17 and ‘18 but took a step back to lend his aid on the support side of the event as the Director of Safety and Logistics. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have been there from the beginning to help Travis, “said Ferris.His countenance was filled with passion as he recounted the early days of Piper’s Angels Crossing for a Cure. 
After ten years on the water, the idea to expand ‘The Crossing’ to ‘The Crossing Adventure Series’ was born. There are currently crossings at the Grand Canyon, in Northern Ireland, and more. Now, Marco Island is joining the roster. “It’s been on my mind to bring this to Marco Island for a few years now and this past year, it just hit me. Now's the time. I just know that the community is going to love it and embrace it. I'm super excited to get the local businesses involved,” Ferris said. 

Conquer the Rock, the first of the series in Marco Island, will involve a 22-mile paddleall the way around the island, around Goodland through Caxambas, and back to the same point on the beach. There will be a five-milesprint paddle race for those who may not want to paddle the longer route but still want to support. A two-mile beach walk will take place for the supporting family members and for anyone that wants to take part in the cause. There will be both competitive and recreational categories. 

The 22-mile paddle, which is doable for those who can dedicate a small amount of time to train, will be monitored by Safety Teams on the water.There will be drop points to rest and fuel up. They also anticipate the tides to be in favor of the paddlers, allowing them to ride the slack tide for the duration. 

“It’s a long way, but it’sgoing to be fun!I think that people are going to have more fun just experiencing the community that we build through this than the race itself,”said Ferris. “One of our coined phrases is, ‘come for the challenge, stay for the cause.’The challenges don’talways work out. We can't control weather. Remember, this can be recreational; you don’t have to finish the thing. It’s more about awareness.” 
Every participant will have a $250  fundraising minimum to meet.“We encourage folks to fundraise more,but don't want people to be scared away by the fundraiser.” As this is the inaugural event on the island, they want to focus on the community becoming involved and joining in whichever event suits them, whether that is paddling, walking, or even volunteering. 

4Ocean will be in attendance and is planning to incorporate a beach clean-up during the two-mile walk. “They've been a huge supporter of ours on the Bimini side of things for a number of years now,” Ferrisshared in the involvement of the organization, whose founder was originally from Marco Island. 

There are plans for a pre-party for all participants the night before the race. After the race, there will be a transition from the beach to Veterans Community Park, where a vast after-party concert and awards ceremony will take place. Local favorite, Rock Republic, will not only be performing but have been an integral help in organizing this party and event alongside the Piper’s Angels team. 
The after party will be open to the public through tickets purchased, in addition to all participants and their supporting families. “We're going to have vendors set up, special perks for the sponsors involved, and more!” 

The award ceremony is planning categories for competition, top fundraiser, first responder,military, and an overall winner for both male and female. They intend to have the Overall Winner award stay on Marco Island, perhaps showcasedat a local establishment for patrons to see all year long. The winners names will be displayed and then added each year to follow. 

As Ferris and the team have wrapped up the planning, they are now turning their attention to getting participants to sign up and securing sponsorships. “Ourultimate goal is to raise money and awareness for the Piper's Angels Foundation, who does nothing but support families affected by CF. We started locally and are now global.” It is very personal to bring this series to Marco Island, where it all began ten years ago.  

For more information and updates on Conquer the Rock, visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/share/1ASky4R4Vi/. 

If you are interested in signing up to Paddle, run in the sprint, or be a spectator visit: https://www.classy.org/event/crossing-adventure-series-marco-island-conquer-the-rock/e756529?preview=true 

If you are a local business owner interested in sponsorship, contact Josh Ferris at: joshferris@pipersangels.org 

Piper’s Angels, Ferris, and the local team are also interested in anyone on the Island or surrounding Naples areawhohas CF or a loved one affected to reach out. “This is for you. It doesn't matter if you participate or not. If you are affected by the disease, I'd like to know about it and we'd love to highlight and celebrate you. Because that's what we're here for.” 

If you want to follow the journey of this inaugural event of the series to Marco Island, we encourage readers to stay tuned to the paper, keep an ear out forlocal podcasts, and watch for events that Ferris and his team will be at to spread more info.