Snowboarder’s memory lives on
Friends of the late Ryan Fletcher are raising money for COSAR
- Fletcher died on Dec. 26 at Big White Ski Resort
- GoFundMe fundraiser created in his memory
- Nearly $8,000 raised so far
The memory of snowboarder Ryan Fletcher, who died at Big White Ski Resort on Dec. 26, lives on.
His friends are rallying together to generate money for an organization that takes part in so many search and rescue operations around the Central Okanagan, COSAR (Central Okanagan Search and Rescue). Crews were part of the search for Fletcher after he was reported missing in the backcountry.
“Ryan grew up two doors away from me, so I’ve known him since he was born. He was my brother,” Katy Drago, Fletcher’s friend told Kelowna10.
“Born and raised in Kelowna, [an] avid outdoors guy, he just loved the Okanagan.”
Drago, along with Sonya and John Barker, started the GoFundMe.
"It was something I wanted to do in his honour, he would have been proud. Those people went out there in ridiculously cold weather to look for him,” Drago said.
Search and rescue crews were operating in temperatures as low as -30C on Boxing Day.
“We’re shooting for $40,000 [but] if I can get more than that I would be more than happy, and it’s all going to go to COSAR, every single penny.”
As of Wednesday, Jan 5., nearly $8,000 was collected. Fletcher’s friends said money is being donated to COSAR for all of the hard work they do to keep the community safe.
Fletcher, 42, was last seen at the Gem Lake chair lift as he prepared to hit the hill one last time that day. A search took place that evening but was called off just before 1 a.m. due to bad weather. His body was found the next morning.
Fletcher was an avid snowboarder and a Big White season pass holder for many decades. Friends said he enjoyed heli-skiing and cat skiing trips, as well as mountain biking and surfing.
“Ryan lived for adventure and fun and he was known for his easy laid-back attitude and warm laugh,” the friends stated online.
An album with over 250 photos has been created on Facebook to remember Ryan and share the memories of those who loved him.
Published 2022-01-05 by Jordan Brenda
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