Cole Racich

Cole Racich was born in Santa Barbara, the youngest of his four siblings. Cole grew up going to the beach and swimming at an early age, and quickly learned that the water was his happy place. He was swimming by age two and began surfing at Campus Point as a five-year old. At age eight, Cole began Santa Barbara City Junior Lifeguards and has enjoyed many summers competing and having fun in that program. Cole loves to surf in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Cole began Channel Islands United Water Polo Club at age eleven. He spends most weekends away with his teams competing in Orange County. Last year, he was selected to the Olympic Development Coastal Zone first team and competed with them in Texas in 2023. This past Fall, Cole began his High School freshman year on the Varsity water polo team at Dos Pueblos. 

Then, just two months in, his season was cut short when he was hospitalized on October 3, 2023 at Goleta Valley Emergency Department and was eventually sent by helicopter to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Shortly afterwards, he was diagnosed with Leukemia and his world was turned upside down. While Cole was in the hospital during the big cross-town rival game later that week, both teams rallied to support Cole by taking a group photo wearing his cap number five.  

Cole spent five months in the hospital undergoing extensive treatments for his rare condition and on March 4th, 2024 he “rang the bell,” which signifies the completion of his round of therapy. Cole is thrilled to be back in his hometown and to be surrounded by the community of Santa Barbaran family and friends that have surrounded him in prayer and support. Cole is looking forward to getting back into the water sports that he loves and is intently working on getting back into shape so he can join the Keiki paddlers this summer.

He is grateful to be selected as the 2024 Keiki Paddle Honoree.   

Your participation in the paddle has the ability to directly take-part in uplifting Cole and reintroducing him to the things he loves. By donating, you can help alleviate some of the financial burden that comes with the 123 days of hospital stays and attention from the world’s best doctors.

Cole, the Racich Family, and the Keiki Paddle appreciate your support.

We are working on launching the registration and fundraising pages. Please circle back on July 1st. Thank you for your interest!