Paddling is newest Len Leshem fundraiser
Just when you thought there weren't any new challenges for super athlete Len Leshem of Lewes, another one appears.
In his ongoing devotion to raise funds for Delaware Special Olympics, Leshem – accompanied by his brother-in-law Tom Thaler and friend Steve Nieblas – kayaked 10 miles on the Broadkill River from Oyster Rock Road to Milton.
It's not that he hasn't done that paddle before, just not in the winter against a brisk, cold wind and outgoing tide. The trek took twice as long as expected – the trio was on the water for more than four hours.
Thaler is a retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel and Nieblas is a retired Sussex Consortium special education teacher and longtime Special Olympics coach. The kayaks were donated by Delaware Paddle Sports.
Previously, Leshem has ridden a stationary bicycle at the Family YMCA in Rehoboth Beach for hours on end to raise money for Special Olympics.
How did the kayak compare? “It was a lot different because it was so long, and we were fighting the wind. We had to work really hard,” he said.
In support of his kayak outing, Leshem raised nearly $10,000 through individual donations. The funds will support the 20 Delaware athletes who will be competing in July at the 2018 Special Olympics USA games in Seattle.
Leshem had planned to celebrate his 81st birthday on March 3 doing the event, but inclement weather forced postponement to St. Patrick's Day. The trio's wives were waiting for them at Irish Eyes.
Leshem, who has been named to both Delaware Sports Hall of Fame and Special Olympics Hall of Fame, didn't start participating in sporting events until he reached the age of 50, when he jumped in with both feet. Over the past three decades, he's run hundreds of races including the prestigious Boston Marathon and several triathlons including the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii where he finished his first event in 15 hours, 19 minutes. That's a 2.4-mile swim, 100-mile bicycle ride and 26.2-mile run.
He's a devoted Polar Bear, volunteer at Camp Barnes and has also coached a variety of Special Olympics sports, including basketball, swimming and power lifting.
“Over the years Len has supported our organization financially using his personal fitness activities as a way to raise money,” said Ann Grunert, Special Olympics Delaware executive director. “Whether it’s been a run, swim, bike, or in some cases a combination of all three, Len has set a fine example to our athletes and others that you’re never too old to stay in shape. And this year, he came up with a new idea by kayaking on a river.”
