Ben 10 Primeau Family Donation Page

We never met Ben Carlson.  We learned of his story after his passing, a day that will live forever in the hearts of those that knew him and also for those that have come to learn his story over the years since.  Ben left this world saving another person's life on a big swell day in Newport Beach on July 6, 2014.  

Today, the number of lives Ben saved in life has been insurmountably surpassed by those he's saved since thanks to one of his closest friends and fellow lifeguard who decided to honor Ben 10 years ago with what is now known as the Ben Did Go.  

To have been a part of this event for the past 3 years now has been nothing short of life changing for us.  

Having a Water Lifeguard in our family (serving Laguna Beach) has made this crossing all the more meaningful to us. Matt and Cole have made the crossing together as paddlers for the past 3 years (Ben 7.0, 8.0 and 9.0) and this year will be their 4th in a row as a father son team.  

Erika paddled the channel for the first time last year (Ben 9.0) with a small group of fellow women paddlers who have become more commonly known as the Vesl Vixens.  What they have done to attract women to the event has been a special footnote in all of our journeys as paddlers.  Notably, our youngest child Noah remains one of the most talented PeanutButter and banana sandwich makers and boat support personnel we could call son.  

The four of us have bonded in a way we never would have if not for the Bed Did Go.  

We are humble supporters to a cause much greater than us. A cause that saves lives globally and supports water Lifeguards (Ocean, River, Lake) pursuing undergraduate collegiate degrees. 

Please help us reach our goal this year.  We cannot do it without your support and your support goes a lot further than us... It directly impacts global ocean safety.  The kind of safety you don't know you need until it's your life that's saved.  

We paddle for Ben.  

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The Ben Carlson Foundation raises funds to support under resourced lifeguard agencies around the world by providing life- saving equipment and also by sharing best practices in lifeguarding. The Foundation has supported agencies in Nicaragua, Puerto Escondido, Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, South Africa, as well as the Greek Refugee crisis.  

In addition, The Ben Carlson Foundation gives scholarships to qualified past or present Water Lifeguards (Ocean, River or Lake) in pursuit of their first undergraduate collegiate degree.