Newsletter Q2 2024
Our Mission:
To share opportunities to experience the thrill of outdoor sport, wild land exploration, and artistic development, by removing barriers and making these activities accessible to all.
Our Goal:
To raise over $1M, give away $100K annually, and positively impact at least 1,000 people every year.
Dear Friend of the Nick Would Foundation,
As winter melts away and spring warms the air, we feel a fresh sense of purpose to carry on Nick’s legacy and enrich the lives of others. We have lots to share, so grab something to sip, get comfy, and have a read below.
Nick Would in the News
Steamboat Magazine Article
By Matt Tredway
Matt Tredway, a well-known renaissance man, climber, teacher, business-man, skier, and mentor to Nick, wrote a wonderful article about a first-ascent ice climb he completed over the winter and honored Nick with the naming rights. Nick would have been on this climb with Matt, and we are grateful to Matt for spreading this love and legacy. Here is the link to the article.
Legacy of young U.S. man killed near Gisborne to live on Article in Stuff
The New Zealand publication, Stuff, recently published an article about Nicholas, his car accident, and the court proceedings and ultimate sentencing for the perpetrator, Myrtle Whatarau-Te Puni. It’s a moving, well-written article that tells Nick’s story well and demonstrates how Nick’s loss was felt by New Zealanders. As you read it, you’ll find the people of New Zealand have been nothing but kind, warm and incredibly gracious during the judicial process in the wake of the accident. The Simon and Buchanan families are grateful for all their help and their giant hearts during this difficult journey. Read the article here.
Upcoming Fundraisers and Events
June 22, 2024 -
Steamboat Summer Concert Series - The Kitchen Dwellers
Get ready! With the great success of last year’s VIP tent at the Steamboat Free Summer Concert Series, we are excited to do it again! Mark your calendars for The Kitchen Dwellers—a Bozeman-based, folk-tinged bluegrass band that will get you grooving—at the Nick Would Foundation’s VIP tent on June 22, 2024, at 5:30 pm. Just like last year, the VIP tent will have schwag, food and beverages for all supporting party-goers. Don’t miss out—it’s going to be a blast! Space is limited, so let us know if you’d like to join.
June 23, 2024 -
First Annual Olympiad (The “OlympNicks!”)
Get ready for some shenanigans! The “OlympNicks” is the brainchild of Nick’s river trip friends and family. One of Nick’s favorite parts of these adventures was the creative mini-competitions they spontaneously put together, from the best cliff jump, to soccer games on deserted beaches, to the fastest swim across the river. The antics were endless and hilarious. In this spirit, we’ve formulated the first-ever “NickOlymps” to be held at the Simon ranch on Sunday afternoon, June 23, 2024, from 2pm – 8pm. For an entry fee donation to the foundation, participants will join in friendly competitions including paddle boarding around the pond, a log carry, an archery contest, corn hole, a five-cast fly fishing contest, and more. For those who simply want to attend, there will also be music, food and drinks for all. Come join us in raising funds for the Nick Would Foundation and have a little fun along the way.
September 7, 2024 –
First Annual Nick Would Foundation Surf Contest at La Jolla Shores Beach in San Diego, CA
Wax up your board and get ready to drop in! We’re excited to announce our upcoming Nick Would Foundation amateur surf competition and fundraiser on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Kellogg Park on La Jolla Shores Beach in La Jolla, California. This fun, low-key surf competition will be fun for participants and spectators alike, with Nick Would Foundation Quarterly Newsletter tents, surf comp T-shirts, food, libations and more. Come soak in the sun, sand, and salt, and join us for this fun event.
September 8, 2024 –
Windansea Beach Paddle-out for Nicholas Simon
The day following the NWF Surf Contest, we will honor Nicholas and his beautiful life with a paddle-out at Windansea, meeting on the beach below Westbourne Street at 4 pm. Windansea was one of Nick’s favorite spots to surf, womp, watch the sunset and just be. Nick’s passion for all aspects of the ocean was born on this beach, and it is fitting we spread his ashes here. We welcome everyone to come, connect with Nick’s friends and family, and honor Nicholas, by either paddling out or watching from the beach. The timing will be confirmed as it gets closer. Hope to see you there!
Video Competition
Great news! With support from the 5Point Film Festival, the Nick Would Foundation is hosting a video contest this year with a cash award to the top 3 winners whose films embody Nick’s outlook on life and the Foundation’s goal of helping people get outside, preserve the environment, and pursue artistic development by removing barriers and making these activities accessible to all. Judges will look for the following criteria:
Sendyness: 25%
Grit: 25%
Character: 35% (i.e. humor, camaraderie, community, etc.)
Storytelling: 10%
Cinematography: 5%
Video entries should be between 3-5 minutes, uploaded to a common video streaming service (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) and link emailed to nickwould11@gmail.com by September 30, 2024. Winners will also be seen at the Steamboat Outdoor Film Fest in early November 2024. More details provided in the next quarterly newsletter. Start working on your video edits, there’s over $3,000 in cash awards available to the top 3 winners!
Rydoh’s Next Adventure:
Highway-395: A Bike & Climb Tribute for Nick
He’s back at it again, folks! (And we couldn’t be more grateful.) Nick’s friend, Rydoh, is getting back on his trusty steed and fundraising yet again. This time, he plans to bike 400 miles down Highway 395, camp in the Sierras, and stop to climb massive granite spires along the way. Unlike his last bike adventure, Rydoh has recruited a handful of Nick’s friends to join him. They will also be making a short film about their adventure to get the Foundation even more exposure. His goal is to reach $20,000 in donations. Please consider donating to the NWF through this amazing young man with an even bigger heart. Read all about it here.
Other, Grants, and Donations
2024 grant cycle update:
The board of the Nick Would Foundation is thrilled to announce a newly created Nick Would Scholarship at the Steamboat Spring Winter Sports Club. This is a bi-annual scholarship awarded to big-mountain discipline athletes based upon the criteria of financial need, athletic achievement, compassion for others, and a solid moral character. In addition, the Foundation board has already approved another $25,000 in grants for 2024, with more to come.
Merch…. More Hats (and now shirts and buffs too!) Available!
Don’t be left out! Purchase your Nick Would ballcaps and new, hot-off-the-press T-shirts and buffs (tube neck scarves for the outdoors)! The caps are available (and T’s and buffs on the way) at Steamboat’s West Lyfe, a lifestyle and sustainable clothing brand whose mission is to support organizations that protect and preserve wild land—which was a passion of Nick’s and a pillar of the Foundation. It’s the perfect place to sell this merch and we’re proud to partner with them. What’s more, 40% of proceeds go directly to the Nick Would Foundation. Link here or buy at https://www.nickwould.com.
Thanks for taking the time to read this update. We, Nicholas’s friends and family, are forever grateful for your giant hearts, generosity, love and ongoing support. We could not do this without you. Sending you and your loved ones lots of love and, in spirit Nick, big smiles and enriching lives. Cheers.