Tuesday, September 29, 2009

News


















Sorry for not blogging in a while but it has been pretty busy over here. In the past 2 weeks I've been perfecting a speech and have quite a few speaking engagements lined up this month and next. My mom and I flew to Amarillo, Texas last weekend to speak at the San Jacinto Christian School. I spoke to the Junior High and High School students and walked through the elementary school to answer questions for the kids there who had been following my trip. In the evening my mom and I both spoke at a fundraiser for the school. I had never been to Texas before so it was an experience for sure. After that, I flew to San Francisco to shoot a Discovery Channel commercial. It should be out in November.
Also I had a meeting with my unscripted television agent Evan over at WME and he is trying to find me someone to film my next adventure. As far as the next adventure goes I've got it down to two ideas that I'm pursuing right now:

(1) An expedition up Mount Everest. I'm putting together a team and pursuing a possible sponsorship on it as well as planning some training hikes for this fall.

(2) A dirt biking trip down through South America as far south as possible.

Looks like I'm gonna have a pretty busy October.

I will be speaking at the Adventures in Travel Expo in New York City on October 11th at 1:30. Check out their web site at http://www.adventureexpo.com/. I'll be speaking about my trip and have a slide show of photos. That weekend I will be meeting with a few literary people as well. The book is in the works and I will let you all know when it is due to come out.

I am going to be sailing and speaking at The Frank Guernsey Single-handed Challenge Race at the Redondo Beach Yacht Club on October 17th.

I'm also really excited to be participating in the Hirshberg Foundation LA Cancer Challenge on October 25th at the Veteran's Administration Grounds in West LA. I chose to be a part of the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research because my grandfather died 3 years ago from Pancreatic Cancer. Did you know that approximately 42,500 Americans will be diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in 2009 and over 35,000 people will die from the disease. It has the #1 fatality rate of all cancers. 75% of Pancreatic Cancer patients die within the first 12 months of diagnosis. It is one of the few cancers for which survival has not improved substantially over the past 30 years. So you can see that we need to get some funding for these guys to get the research done to find a cure.

If you are interested in coming out for the morning, want to donate through Team Zac or just want more info: go to http://www.lacancerchallenge.com/. To donate, click on the Sponsor Participant link, enter my name Zac Sunderland, and follow the direction on the screen.

I've got to run. You can follow me on Twitter and Facebook for more frequent updates.

Peace,

Zac

23 Comments:

Blogger Marie said...

Hi Zac! SO good to hear about all your news! Yes, you are a busy guy. I am hoping your speaking engagements might include the Pacific NW someday...

Continued blessings,
Marie
WA St.

September 29, 2009 at 6:54 PM  
Blogger MindWalker said...

Our patience has paid off. Glad to find an update here, Zac. Thanks.

Now you give us something new to become excited about - your next adventure. Both will be fascinating, but I'm voting for Everest (like, as if you were taking votes, huh?).

Some old things weren't addressed. Lots of us are watching for the DVD of your circumnavigation that we've ordered. Also, your Mom tells me she's got something at your house for you to send to me. Hope you'll find time to do that before you take of on the next big gig.

Again, thanks for the update, busy guy.

Donn Coon,
a.k.a. MindWalker

September 29, 2009 at 10:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mt. Everest is old hat. As a personal challenge, it would be great, but a dirt bike trip to the southern tip of South America would be awesome.

September 30, 2009 at 2:59 AM  
Anonymous Trevor Leslie, UK said...

Zac

All good... but what about an update on what's happening with the DVD, please?

Trev

September 30, 2009 at 5:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

sounds like you are having fun playing around, and you have more plans to continue to do so. i wish i didn't have to work so i could have fun like you do.

September 30, 2009 at 6:21 AM  
Anonymous Elizabeth / USA said...

Any updates on the DVD status?

September 30, 2009 at 7:14 AM  
Anonymous Kodiak Mike said...

Hey, Buddy-
Sounds like you're doin' great things for humanity---and keeping busy in the bargain. Hope someday you can visit your fans in Alaska.
Kodiak Mike

September 30, 2009 at 7:19 AM  
Blogger RDP said...

That's quite a schedule and it's awesome that you share your experience with kids at school.

I pre-ordered a DVD for my sister and her kids. Any idea when the DVD will be out, updates on DVD release appreciated.

Thanks,
Richard Phillips
Venice, CA

September 30, 2009 at 9:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why not join the Bounty Boat Expedition with Mike Perham? It would probably be great PR for both of you, and the expedition is looking for crew.

September 30, 2009 at 10:12 AM  
Blogger Tricia said...

I agree with anonymous@2:59 - lots of people are doing Everest, let's see the dirt bike adventure!

September 30, 2009 at 12:10 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think a solo transit of the polar sea would be a unique adventure but not for everyone but surely a daunting challenge that would capture everyone's attention!

September 30, 2009 at 1:58 PM  
Anonymous Melanie said...

So good to see a post from you! You sound busy but happy, and that's a great combination.

I have an acquaintance that drives his motorcycle down to South America once a year. He usually travels solo, as he says it's hard to find anyone else who has his sense of adventure. He's been doing it for quite a few years now and might be someone good to talk to. If you are interested, I believe your mom has my e-mail address, or you can track me down through yours or your mom's facebook.

Also glad to hear you're going to be in my neighborhood (Redondo) sailing. I'll be sure to come down and check it out!

Best wishes to all the Sunderlands and the rest of the Pac!

September 30, 2009 at 3:46 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

the Mike Perham adventure with you in it would be awsome to read and watch, Think about it!
What about the DVD?

September 30, 2009 at 4:34 PM  
Anonymous KarenH said...

Hi Zac,

I also agree with Anonymous of September 30, 2:59 AM. So many people do Everest now, I’m thinking the South America trip would actually be more dangerous. You do have dirt bike experience, yes?

Thanks for posting about the Cancer walk/run. I’ve been looking for such an event that I could set as a little fitness training goal, without having to raise $$$ in sponsorship. I need the motivation to get off my rear end and onto the pavement! Sounds like a good cause, too. My own grandmother died from liver cancer years ago. It was hopeless then, but now the prognosis for that type is a little better. Maybe the researchers will be able to come up with something similar for pancreatic cancer.

I was trying to find a link to your Facebook page. Which one is actually yours, and not someone else’s?

Karen
Homeschool Mom Emeritus

September 30, 2009 at 6:45 PM  
Anonymous Trevor Leslie, UK said...

for KarenH...

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1420786854&ref=ts

October 1, 2009 at 1:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought about joining Peace Corp so you can actually help other people? You are strong and smart so I bet you could be good with that kind of volunteer work. All play, no work makes the mind grow dim.

October 1, 2009 at 8:14 AM  
Anonymous Kathleen in Palms said...

Thanks, Trevor in the UK, for the Facebook link. I was on another Zac Sunderland FB page. I want to get those updates!!

Zac, I am wondering if your dirt bike adventure would be solo or group.

What a great life you have and fun to read about. I will be there for Abby's send-off if done from MDR.

October 3, 2009 at 11:55 AM  
Blogger Lisa Gallup said...

Thank you for your involvement with Pancreatic Cancer research!! I just made a donation under your name. My Mom died 2 years ago after fighting this awful disease for 17 months. Let's find a CURE!!

October 3, 2009 at 3:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey!
The bike trip sounds better than Everest. I live in Chile and I'm a homeschool sailor. You'll have to time the trip very carefully because you can only go all the way south in December or January. If you need South American contacts let me know!

Sarah Petta
Arica, Chile
sola_gratia1@yahoo.com

October 5, 2009 at 9:32 AM  
Blogger RK said...

Great Plans for the next adventure. I personally like the idea of biking through South America more interesting. I've been to Chile and Bolivia on a short trip. BEAUTIFUL!

Best wishes,
RK

October 6, 2009 at 2:09 PM  
Anonymous cassidy in md said...

I vote dirt bike

October 17, 2009 at 3:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Zac,
I live in England and go to school in a brilliant place as well. I am very interested in what you do! just out of interest, why did you choose climbing mount everest and dirt biking as one of your next adventures? It's SO good to hear that you are a busy dude! Im hoping your speaking engagements go well and my friend and i are wishing you good luck with your future adventures!
Peace dude!
Kayla xxxx

April 6, 2011 at 6:01 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Zac,
I live in england in milton keynes and go to a brilliant school aswell. I have been reading your blog for this certain month.I found it interesting that you went to 2 schools and answered any questions about anything they wanted to know about. Also I wanted to know why you chose dirt biking and mount everset?!

Cheers

Courtney xx

April 6, 2011 at 6:03 AM  

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