Would you enjoy longboarding even more if you could make the world a better place by doing it?  More than just spreading the stoke, some skaters put together events that raise funds and awareness for just causes.  Chuck Vogt and Curt Sterner are two such skaters, and this is their event to benefit Boarding for Breast Cancer:

Skate the Lake

September 29, 2007

Longboard Relay at Lake Tahoe

The Story of Skate the Lake (STL)

Chuck Vogt "Buckley", a Tahoe local, was experiencing some hard times with life. Chuck was devastated and trying to repair his life and relationships, especially with his Mom. Chuck and his Mom were not speaking when Chuck found out from his sister about his Mom’s diagnosis with breast cancer. Devastated, Chuck could not sit still. He needed to do something and in his restlessness Chuck turned to his love of skateboarding. Racking his brain to find a way to show his Mom how much he loves her, how deeply he cares about her condition, and try to escape his incessant restlessness, Chuck being the highly physical person that he is, decided to test his physical capability to its absolute limits by skating around the entire perimeter of his home of Lake Tahoe in support of breast cancer. After being denied by Lake Tahoe’s surrounding counties for the permits necessary to skate the 72 mile perimeter of Lake Tahoe Chuck was distraught, and while discussing his passion to a friend learned that Curt Sterner was also battling with some similar emotions. Curt's Mom had been battling breast cancer and even though Curt is a private person his internal struggle to cope needed an outlet as well. Curt and Chuck found deep similarities that day. Curt, with his background in event production, and Chuck, with his rejected plan, discussed a modified plan and Skate the Lake took form.

Chuck and Curt shredded the north and west shore of Lake Tahoe with love in their hearts that 1st year. Chuck's mom was present and reparations were made; and the sight was one that would have anyone misty with emotion. Curt's mom was still battling the disease and with increased awareness and flames still burning in the soles of their shoes, Skate the Lake 2006 was off. Days prior, with Chuck's whole family excited for the journey, Chuck's mom gets a phone call from her sister that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Chuck's Mom flew to New York to be with her sister and as Chuck describes how this fueled his desire more than ever before; "with the thought of my Mom and Aunt together in the hospital I will be pushing and carving harder than ever before, reaching to a higher plain for the love of my family and so many others". So Curt and Chuck worked even harder to show their families, God and anyone else who was paying attention how much they care doing what they do best. With the addition of Curt's mom to Skate the Lake (STL) 2006, Curt, Chuck and over fifty other skaters shredded the North and West Shore bike path raising money for research and education of breast cancer. STL 2006 was an absolutely amazing event. Only one thing was missing. Chuck was still worried about his aunt and holding out hope that in 2007 that everyone would finally be together.

This year, Curt and Chuck's family (Chuck’s aunt has recovered) will all be attending and finally these two Tahoe locals will have a combined reason to celebrate their family’s survival of this terrible disease. STL 2007 will not only be an acknowledgement of those in pain, but a celebration of those who survived.

For 2007, we're ramping up for two venues, which will include two separate circuits. The first in Lake Tahoe and the second from Santa Monica to Redondo Beach introducing not only the lake but the ocean as well. The tremendous momentum created by hard times and the love of their families, skaters from northern and southern California will ripping up the pavement doing what they know best to benefit breast cancer.

Details.

Skate the Lake is a longboard skateboard relay with skaters of all ability levels getting together and shredding the bike path to increase breast cancer awareness. Mainly longboards are the standard, but shorties, or any and all participation (you can ride, walk, help or simply cheer us on) is encouraged. The cause includes skating, music, and education during the event.

Skate it any way you want to! 

Sponsors.

Curt and Chuck have shared their experience only to find amazing support from sponsors, volunteers, athletes, musicians and the local community to raise funds for research and awareness to helping with the quicker diagnosis and recovery of breast cancer in cooperation with the Los Angeles-based Boarding for Breast Cancer. We receive donations to cover every aspect of STL. 100% of the proceeds raised goes directly to Boarding for Breast Cancer . We encourage you to visit B4BC.org and see the great job that they do. We all come together with a shared belief that we can make a unique difference. Our hope is to grow to the extent that we will be able to personally and directly distribute funds to families in crisis. If you would like to help us with our cause please email either Curt or Chuck.

Registration 2007. Our site is just now being updated, but you can always write us an email. Very soon we will have our new registration form in place for both locations with options for sponsors, volunteers, and questions.

Volunteer. If this is something you can relate with and want to help, we would love it. Please email Curt at curt@skatethelake.com.

The When and Where.

TAHOE: We will kick off the weekend with a registration party Friday, September 28th, at 6:00 PM at Blue Coyote in Squaw Valley. At this time athletes of all ages and skill levels can decide to either skate the two mile portion or all 27 miles. At the first light of dawn on Saturday, September 29th, the relay will begin. After the skate there will be an all ages after party at the Tahoe Biltmore. Bands will soon be announced and will be performing starting at 6:00 PM. Tickets are not necessary, but donations at the door are accepted.