27 km for 27 Smiles
Operation Smile is a charity close to the hearts of the Prescient Freedom Paddle and race organizer, Richard Kohler. As an ambassador for Operation Smile, Richard became the first person to paddle a kayak solo along the entire South African coastline and the first to complete a solo, unsupported, 7,000km kayak journey across the Southern Atlantic Ocean to Salvador, Brazil.
These adventures have raised funds for hundreds of life-altering surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities.
Operation Smile is one of several causes that benefit from the annual Prescient Freedom Paddle – a 27 km race around Robben Island in celebration of freedom, endurance, and unity on Freedom Day, 27 April. The event is open to all human paddle powered craft that are seaworthy enough to complete the course.
Last year, the event raised R59 020 for Operation Smile – providing not just surgery – but also speech therapy, dental care, and a brighter future for children and adults born with cleft conditions.
Find out how you can be part of something bigger … by Paddling for Smiles. Let’s make waves and create smiles together!
