Paddlers turn tragedy into triumph

About 18 years ago Matt Thomas was seriously injured in a DUI crash. His friend was behind the wheel and after they hurtled over a 30-foot bridge, the next thing Thomas knew was he was paralyzed on his left side, and it was three months later.

The brain damage was apparent, Thomas’ friends said. Thomas had to learn to walk, talk and read all over again. But through therapy and his own will power, he’s recovered significantly.

A friend of his, Jim Ruch, gave him two hydro-bikes a couple of years after the crash to help him with his therapy. Now, more than 15 years later, Thomas is walking, driving and back in school.

Saturday morning others will ride with Thomas using their own man-power — no motors please — from the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort to the Newport Pier and back, all in the name of local charities.

Funndit.com is donating $10 to the charity of each participant’s choice when they join Thomas and his longtime friend Ed McLean out in the bay Saturday morning for the first Paddle-Pedal charity event. Paddlers can use anything from hydro-bikes, kayaks, paddle boards or whatever else they want. The idea is just to have some fun under the sun and do it for charity, McLean said.

“I just want to see this explode,” Thomas said.

He originally envisioned a paddle-pedal event from Newport Beach to Catalina island, but he and friends soon shot for something more realistic for the event’s first time out.

“He kept bugging me about doing the ride,” McLean joked. Seven months ago, the men decided they could take Thomas’ hobby that helped him and turn it into an opportunity to help others.

“I’m excited, he’s excited,” said Gay Wassall-Kelly, Thomas’ mother. “He’s out there right now whirling and greasing up everything for the ride.”

The selfless theme behind the event is nothing new for Thomas, who, for years has been going around Southern California speaking in alcohol-awareness classes for parents and in classrooms talking to kids about the dangers of drinking and driving.

To register and guarantee $10 for your charity, go to funndit.com.

If You Go

What: The inaugural Paddle-Pedal Charity event raising money for the charity of your choice

Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach

When: Watercraft will launch at 7:30 a.m. Saturday

More Information: Online at paddle-pedal.com or call Ed McLean at (949) 929-3266.