The 10th Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis wraps up strong: Tiffany Cleveland & Alex Zowacki share their stories + 2027 date announced

The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis has always been a story- and paddler-centred event, carrying a unique emotional weight that sets it apart from other open-water ultra-endurance races. Each paddler brings their own personal motivation to what is ultimately a selfless act, all while supporting the Piper’s Angels Foundation and its mission.

This year marked the 10th edition of The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis (10X4CF), a one-of-a-kind endurance challenge that sends paddlers on an 80-mile open-ocean journey from Bimini, Bahamas, to Lake Worth Beach, Florida.

Middle photo by David Scarola

Following the anniversary edition held from 10 – 13 June, we reached out to share two personal accounts – circling back to Alex Zowacki’s first Crossing experience, alongside Tiffany Cleveland. Both first-time participants describe a deeply meaningful and lasting experience.

With the 2027 edition now announced for 9-12 June and registrations officially open, excitement is already building for the next chapter of The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis.

We’re continuing our conversation with Alex, endurance paddler and ultra and marathon runner from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, USA, building on our previous feature where he was preparing for the challenge. Now, following his successful completion of The Crossing, we’re delighted to welcome him back to TotalSUP to share reflections on one of the most demanding open-ocean endurance events.

In this edition, we also welcome Tiffany Cleveland to TotalSUP for the first time – an endurance paddler who has taken on one of the toughest challenges in open-ocean racing. Her story is one of rediscovery, resilience, and a deep reconnection with the water that has shaped both her personal and professional path.

Tiffany grew up as a competitive swimmer and played water polo in high school and college. She stepped away from water sports in her twenties while completing her master’s degree and building a clinical career as a psychotherapist. Today, she runs a practice called Le Tusa, working with individuals with disabilities and families raising children with rare diseases and disabilities. She also designs programmes focused on helping people build meaningful relationships. For a time, the water was no longer part of her life.

The pandemic marked a turning point. Time spent in Sausalito with friends brought a return to boards for recreation, followed by group SUP training sessions at SeaTrek, where her involvement in the sport began to grow. Around this time, a key training partnership formed with Jules, who became a consistent paddling partner. During the same period, a move to Tahoe led to time on the water with the Waterman crew, including an 18-mile downwind paddle along the west shore – a distance that, at the time, felt significant.

After moving back to the Bay Area in 2021, her name was added to the Chattajack waitlist while travelling to the California River Quest course. From there, her progression into endurance racing accelerated. She went on to complete Chattajack, followed by the SUP 11 City Tour – a 220-kilometre stage race through the historic waterways of Friesland, Netherlands – completed for her 40th birthday. This was followed by SEVENTY48 (70 miles in 48 hours, Tacoma to Port Townsend, human-powered only) the following year. Regular participation in the Gorge Downwind WindSUP event and smaller California races has remained part of her season, maintaining strong ties to the paddling community. A love for endurance and variety in paddling has continued to define her trajectory in the sport.

Tiffany Cleveland, Winner of the Women’s SUP Solo said:

The Crossing had been on my list for years. This year, when I was choosing what to do, my body just knew. I signed up.

The logistics challenge: I’m based in California and had zero connections in the Florida paddling world. Finding a captain and a boat was the very first hurdle – without that, there was no race. I started reaching out cold. Eventually I was connected to Captain Tony, and from our very first conversation he was a yes. He took my goal of winning seriously, brought in his friend Tyler, who has Gulf Stream experience, and arranged the use of Anthony’s boat. My friend Darrel enthusiastically jumped in as my paddle support on the boat and helped make it happen from across the country. Darrel’s devotion to my nutrition plan throughout the 80 miles made it all possible. Every five minutes for 80 miles he prompted me to hydrate, while also supporting me to stay committed to my goal. Faith rounded out the crew. Once we all got together in Bimini, I realised this was a dream team.

What the crossing was like: Life-changing and humbling. The physical toll was real – there were stretches where my body was just spent. But the crew locked in when it got hard, and that was the moment I knew we’d make it. We crossed first.

Alex Zowacki, said: 

The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis wasn’t just a race – it was a celebration of life, the water, and, most importantly, every breath we take.

This experience was truly incredible and opened my eyes in ways I never expected. During the poolside social, Travis Suit shared a story about a family in Haiti whose young child lives with cystic fibrosis every single day. He spoke not only about the child’s fight, but also about the family and friends who stand alongside them — choosing to stay positive, hopeful, and strong in front of that child, despite the fear and uncertainty they carry themselves.

As a cancer survivor, that story hit me hard. I had spent so much time focused on my own battle that I never fully considered the emotional weight my diagnosis placed on my family. Looking back, I now realise the fear and anxiety they must have felt, yet they always showed me strength, optimism, and love. Hearing that perspective was one of the most powerful moments of the entire event.

But beyond the emotion, the adventure itself was unforgettable. From snorkelling in Honeymoon Harbour, to swimming at Sapona, to the magic of a night swim under the stars on the final evening, every moment felt special. The crystal-clear water, the camaraderie, and the shared purpose created memories that will stay with me forever.

The Crossing was more than a physical challenge. It was a reminder of resilience, gratitude, and the incredible power of community. It was emotional, inspiring, thrilling, and at times magical. I left with a deeper appreciation for life, for the people who support us through our hardest battles, and for the simple gift of being able to take a breath.

What were the toughest & most rewarding moments?

Alex said:

Some of the toughest moments during The Crossing weren’t necessarily physical – they were emotional. There was a constant balance between fully enjoying an incredible week and keeping focus on the challenge ahead. Knowing we still had to cross 80 miles of open ocean meant staying disciplined, making sure I was hydrated, eating properly, and preparing both mentally and physically. At times, that was harder than expected.

When I think about the most rewarding moments, the first that comes to mind is taking that first paddle stroke into the darkness. After talking about this goal, training for it, and preparing for nearly a year, it finally became real. Standing there and realizing, “I’m actually doing this,” was a feeling I’ll never forget.

Another unforgettable moment was watching the sunrise in the middle of the ocean. After paddling through the night, seeing the first light break across the horizon felt symbolic of everything this journey represented — perseverance, resilience, and the belief that if you keep moving forward, even through the darkest hours, something beautiful is waiting on the other side. It was a reminder that challenges don’t last forever, but the strength we gain from overcoming them does.

Then came the moment when we first spotted the pier in Bimini, still a few miles away. Seeing that destination on the horizon brought a flood of emotions. The months of training, the sacrifices, the setbacks, the doubts, and the countless hours spent preparing all came rushing back at once. It was the first time the reality of what we were accomplishing truly hit me.

But above all else, the most rewarding part of this experience was the people. Being surrounded by individuals all there for a purpose greater than themselves was incredibly inspiring. Everyone carried a story, a reason, and a deep connection to the mission. Having the honor of paddling as part of Team Live Fearlessly in honour of Jacob Venditti meant more to me than words can express. Every stroke was about something bigger than ourselves, making the experience both meaningful and unforgettable.

The Crossing taught me that extraordinary things are possible when passion, purpose, and perseverance come together. It wasn’t just about reaching Bimini – it was about the lives we honour, the people we fight for, and the reminder that even the longest journeys begin with a single stroke forward.

What that finish means to you?

Alex said:

Finishing The Crossing meant the world to me. From the moment I first shared this goal, I heard every reaction imaginable – “that’s crazy,” “that’s impossible,” “there’s no way.” But the biggest challenge wasn’t proving other people wrong; it was overcoming the doubts within myself.

Throughout training, there were moments when I questioned whether I was truly capable of completing something this demanding. There were tough days, exhausting workouts, and times when the finish line felt impossibly far away. But I kept showing up, one stroke at a time, trusting the process even when I couldn’t see the outcome.

When I finally ran across that finish line and rang the bell, it was more than just the end of a race. It was the culmination of months of sacrifice, discipline, perseverance, and belief. In that moment, I realised that our limits are often far beyond what we think they are.

Crossing that finish line changed me. It showed me that growth happens when you embrace challenges that scare you and continue moving forward despite uncertainty. It reminded me that the impossible is often just something that hasn’t been accomplished yet.

And while The Crossing may be finished, my journey is not.

I’ve been keeping a secret since the Thursday night dinner: I’ll be back in 2027 — and this time, I’m paddling solo. What once seemed impossible has become my next challenge, and I can’t wait to see where the journey takes me. Every finish line is simply the starting point of a new dream. Live fearlessly.

Tiffany said:

I don’t think I’d ever do a long-distance paddle again without attaching it to a cause. Paddling for CF families feels connected to my clinical work  – every day I work with families navigating rare diseases and disabilities, and Piper’s Angels is doing exactly the kind of direct, human-centred support I believe in. They’ve supported over 1,500 CF families since 2017 through financial assistance, mental health support, peer mentorship, care packages, and more.

I only have a moment here on earth. If there are ways I can help other people live meaningful lives, why not.

Watch The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis 2026 Beach Landing here 

Photo by David Scarola

The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis 2026 Results: 

Men’s SUP Solo Winners:

Women’s SUP Solo Winners:

Two and Four Person Relay Winners: 

Open Prone Solo Winners: 

To find out more about the event, visit crossingforcysticfibrosis.com 

To learn more about cystic fibrosis and Piper’s Angels Foundation‘s impact on the CF community please visit: pipersangels.org

If you’d like to support this cause, please click here

Follow Alex on Instagram

Follow Tiffany on Instagram 

*Images courtesy of Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis / Alex Zowacki and Tiffany Cleveland