My 18th Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race to Cure ALS

Here we go again for another Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race, my 18th, to raise money that will provide services for ALS patients as well as fund research to find a cure. You’ll notice the title has changed from “Paddling to Defeat ALS” to “Paddling to Cure ALS”. I did this to align with the ALS Network (formerly ALS Golden West), which became a stand-alone entity recently. For me, the new title resonates more powerfully, and is a much bolder declaration. Last year’s race was my most difficult ever due to the ocean and wind conditions, and I finished in 9 hours and 6 minutes which exceeded the 9 hours cutoff. I need the added inspiration just to get motivated this year.

This year, my son, Cole, and I are once again paddling in memory of my mom, Peacha Horton, who passed away from ALS in 2005, and in honor of my friend, Greg Browning, who has been living with ALS since his diagnosis last year. Greg was actually in my mom’s 3rd grade class at North School in Hermosa Beach and he says she was one of his favorite teachers. Observing Greg’s way of being while dealing with this miserable disease is inspiring to say the least. He is regularly surrounded by family and friends who respect and love him to no end, and he enjoys the surf stories, jokes and more that get shared. Greg is only 50 years old, married with 4 sons. He was a pro surfer who transitioned into a film maker and helped coach professional female surfer, Tatiana West, until the disease made it too difficult to continue that role. The surfing world knows and respects Greg and have extended an outpouring of love to show support.

In addition to the Catalina Classic Paddleboard Race, Cole and I will be running the marathon in Greece which has the same route as the original in ancient days. Both of my mom's parents were Greek immigrants who came together in the US through an arranged marriage and they settled in Bakersfield, California. Cole and I thought we'd ratchet up the challenge even more in memory of those we have lost to ALS as well as honoring those living with the disease in hopes of a cure. I haven't run a marathon since 1993, and this will be Cole's first.

As I’ve mentioned before, ALS takes a devastating toll on the ability to speak, swallow, walk, and breathe, and life expectancy averages 2-5 years. It is very difficult to watch people you care about live with this disease. Mental acuity stays intact and patients say it is like being trapped inside a body that is failing you, with no effective way to stop the downward trend. Although there have been a couple of FDA approved treatments, none have proven to be meaningfully effective at slowing, or curing the disease.

I invite you to make a tax deductible contribution to fund the work of the ALS Network so more patients can receive services, their caregivers are supported, and research is funded to find a cure. Thank you very much for your consideration and support.

See my NBC4 interview

Listen to my radio interview

Thank You!
Thank you for your support. Any amount that is appropriate for you will be gladly accepted and put to good use. You can contribute now via credit card by clicking on the "Donate" button or by mailing a check to:

ALS Network
P.O. Box 7082
Woodland Hills, CA 91365

(Please be sure to put "Paddling to Cure ALS - Thomas Horton" in the memo section of your check.)

I'm not sure how many more years my shoulders will be able to paddle 32 miles in an event, but I can tell you with complete confidence that your ongoing support makes it a lot easier, and much more motivating. Cheers!!

(p.s. We need more difference makers like you in this world to make it a better place. Please pass the page along to anyone else who is as awesome as you are!)