About Sarah Hughen
My name is Sarah Hughen and I grew up in rural Wisconsin. About 11 years ago, when I moved here after going to college in Montana, it took me a long time to get used to the ocean — let alone the fact that I was living in Southern California.
Since then, we have settled in to Cardiff, California and are raising two spirited little boys. My love for the ocean and surfing grew over time, and now it has become a daily source of peace in a very fast paced life.
I have always needed adventure in my life. I am never really settled unless I am constantly challenged. When I was young, canoeing was a means for me to test myself and be close to water. It has taken me to Canada’s wilderness on numerous extended trips up to 80 days in length without seeing another soul. It was out in the middle of nature, 500 miles away from help, that I feel most true to myself.
Now that I live at the beach, without much fresh water nearby – I had no choice but to immerse myself in the vast wilderness of the Pacific. I was lucky that Tyler, my husband of 8 years, would drag me out in huge surf and watch me get tumbled around–for years. It finally clicked, and surfing became something that I may never be able to leave.
It is my daily baptism of sorts, a chance to cleanse myself every time I go and start fresh. I can’t hear the traffic, or see the crowds. Just me, surrounded by water.
Now that I have my two little ones at home – my need for adventure has turned outward. I want to use that spirit I found out deep in southern Patagonia, or in the crispy waters of Nunavat to make a change.
I believe we are all in this together, and that my surfing every day for this project will represent the challenges in search of a cure for Breast Cancer.
My Mission
Some people say surfing is the hardest sport on earth, that if you can surf, you can do anything. I also know that when things go right, it’s about the most fun you can possibly have. The spirit of surfing has inspired me. Having only come to the sport recently, and being a mother of two young boys with nonexistent free time – calling myself a surfer has seemed like a distant dream.
I have a simple mission. I plan on surfing every day – 365 days straight with no exceptions. My inspiration for the project is to use the challenge of surfing everyday as a vehicle to raise money and awareness for the fight against Breast Cancer. 1 in 8 woman will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer sometime during their life. This is unacceptable to me. My hope is that through research, awareness, and an active lifestyle we can help make this statistic history.
My challenge is simple, however, the reality of paddling out everyday – rain or shine, healthy or sick, flat or humungous – is a commitment I won’t abandon.
By surfing every day, I hope to honor all those who have been affected by Breast Cancer and that my determination will inspire people to become involved.
I invite people to follow my project online daily where I’ll be posting inspiring and beautiful snippets of my daily challenges, and doing what I can to spread awareness about Breast Cancer. I encourage everyone to donate as 100% of all donations will go to an amazing organization – Keep A Breast Foundation.
- Sarah Hughen
About Keep A Breast Foundation
The Keep A Breast Foundation™ is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to help eradicate breast cancer by exposing young people to methods of prevention, early detection and support. Through art events, educational programs and fundraising efforts, we seek to increase breast cancer awareness among young people so they are better equipped to make choices and develop habits that will benefit their long-term health and well-being.
