beach portraits of SUP rider Delaney Kuepper, Carlsbad

I recently met one of the coolest 5th graders in Carlsbad when I did portraits of Delaney Kuepper for La Costa Living Magazine. Delaney is 11 years old and she’s already found a way to use her love of Stand Up Paddleboarding to make a difference in other people’s lives.

Delaney started a charity called Kidz Who Care, which was created as a way to give back to people in need.

Last year Delaney participated in a Surf-A-Thon Fundraiser and she raised $5,000 for an organization called Boys to Men, which is a mentoring program for at-risk boys. She caught 100 waves in three hours, averaging about 1 wave every 2 minutes!

Her love of SUP is evident, and I’m so impressed that she is able to take that passion and turn it in to a way to give back to others. The first charity event that she participated in was a paddle from Cardiff to La Jolla Shores — 11.8 miles in open water. Wow! She and her dad, Aubrey, are already planning their next long distance paddle: 24 miles from Catalina to Newport. Double wow!!!

I met Delaney and her mom, Claudia, at Ponto State Beach in Carlsbad where we shot these photos. 

Delaney is mature beyond her years, with the poise and personality of an old soul and a giver’s heart indeed. Thank you, Delaney, for being a great example of using talent to do great things for others. 

To keep up with this amazing young lady and to see where she paddles next, check out http://www.delaneykuepper.com/