Ride For The Cause

What Ride For The Cause does

Ride For The Cause (R4tC) is an independent, volunteer-run Swiss non-profit association registered in Montreux, Switzerland, that organized an annual charity surf and stand-up paddle event on Pierrier Beach in Clarens/Montreux from 2009 to 2018. Over ten editions, the event raised a cumulative CHF 187,725 for two beneficiary NGOs — WAVES for Development (education in Lobitos, Peru) and Summit FOUNDATION (environmental impact reduction in Swiss ski resorts and music festivals) — supported by over 200 volunteers per edition and 103,180 cumulative hours of volunteering. Following the committee's decision to end the annual charity race after the 10th edition in 2018, the association pivoted in 2019 toward a musical/cultural event series branded #ShakaSESSIONS to continue defending its educational and environmental causes.

The association's product portfolio centers on the legacy Ride for the Cause charity event, the #ShakaSESSIONS cultural event series (in development), a permanent Shaka Statue art installation (2.50m × 1.70m, driftwood sculpture by Greg Williams, unveiled June 2018), the Ride Social Club annual membership program (CHF 20 / CHF 50 / CHF 100 contribution tiers), and a WooCommerce merchandise storefront selling branded caps, t-shirts, parachute-material pouches, and water bottles at CHF 3–19 per unit. Its technical stack is a WordPress + Elementor + WPML (FR/EN) multilingual website with payment processing via Stripe, PayPal, PostFinance E-Finance, PostFinance Card, and bank transfer; the site is developed and maintained by external agency B+G & Partners. There is no proprietary software, no app, and no API surface.

R4tC's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with revenue derived from four streams: merchandise sales (D2C e-commerce), Ride Social Club annual memberships (CHF 20–100 recurring), corporate sponsorship and in-kind partnerships (e.g., Commune de Montreux, Vaudoise, Patagonia, FANATIC, Red Paddle, Julbo, MyMontreux), and per-kilometer charity fundraising (pledges rather than association revenue). Customer-facing marketing is organic and earned-media based — Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, a dedicated press contact, and coverage in major Swiss French-language outlets (Le Temps, 24 heures, L'Hebdo, RTS La Première). The organization is funded entirely by individual contributions, sponsorships, membership fees, and merchandise sales; no equity, debt, or institutional capital is disclosed, and the entity has no salaried headcount.

Name

Ride For The Cause

Legal name

Ride for the Cause

Website

https://ride4thecause.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ride For The Cause is a Swiss volunteer-run non-profit association in Montreux that ran an annual charity surf/paddle event (2009-2018) raising CHF 187,725 cumulatively for WAVES for Development and Summit FOUNDATION, and has since pivoted to #ShakaSESSIONS cultural events supported by a merchandise store and Ride Social Club membership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charity event management and community fundraising

NAICS

Spectator Sports (71121), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Open Water Swimming Events (OWS Races, Swim Challenges) (MPAKAIAF), Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

Keywords

• Charity event management
• Community fundraising programs
• Nonprofit association services
• Surf and paddle events
• Branded merchandise sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreux

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Merchandise sales (Ride Shop / Ride Social Club store): Direct one-time sales of branded merchandise (caps, t-shirts, parachute-material pouches, water bottles, glasses) via the WooCommerce online storefront, priced in CHF.
2. Ride Social Club annual membership contributions: Annual contribution program with three tiers (CHF 20, CHF 50, CHF 100) that fund the organization of the event in exchange for thank-you gifts (sticker + drink voucher, "Merci" glass, t-shirt + cocktail voucher).
3. Sponsorship and partnership income: Revenue from the roster of corporate and institutional sponsors/partners displayed in the "Partenaires" section (e.g., Patagonia, Vaudoise, Commune de Montreux, FANATIC, Red Paddle, Julbo, VMCV, MyMontreux, etc.) that underwrite the annual charity event.
4. Charity fundraising via the ride (per-kilometer pledges): Charity model in which riders and supporters raise money per kilometer ridden (in surf or paddle); funds are paid either by the rider themselves or by sponsors backing them. The accumulated total since 2009 reached CHF 187,725.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ride For The Cause (R4tC) is a Swiss independent non-profit association that organized an annual charity surf and stand-up paddle event at Pierrier Beach in Clarens/Montreux from 2009 to 2018, where participants raised money per kilometer ridden to fund education and environmental NGOs (WAVES for Development and Summit FOUNDATION). The association sustains itself through corporate sponsorships, a Ride Social Club membership program, and direct-to-consumer branded merchandise sales (caps, t-shirts, pouches, water bottles) via a WooCommerce online storefront, and is now pivoting toward musical and cultural events branded #ShakaSESSIONS.

Product overview

Ride For The Cause (R4tC) is a Swiss independent non-profit association whose offering is centred on a single unifying cause-driven event (the Ride for the Cause charity surf event, 2009–2018) supported by a portfolio of community/membership programs and a WooCommerce merchandise shop. The core offering is the Ride for the Cause charity event, which is being complemented by the upcoming #ShakaSESSIONS music/cultural event series and the symbolic Shaka Statue installation; community support is delivered through the Ride Social Club membership program, while R4tC-branded merchandise (Casquette Ride Noire, Casquette Ride Trucker, Pochettes en matière parachute, Gourde bleue Ride, T-shirt en différentes couleurs – Vierge, T-shirt gris imprimé Ride) is sold via the online shop to fund the association's charity work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• #ShakaSESSIONS: Musical/cultural event series launched in 2019 as R4tC's new mission after the end of the annual charity ride.
• Ride Social Club

Products and services

• Ride for the Cause (R4tC) Charity Event An annual Swiss charity surf and stand-up paddle event held at Pierrier Beach in Clarens/Montreux from 2009 to 2018, where each kilometre ridden by participants raised funds for the beneficiary NGOs WAVES for Development and Summit FOUNDATION. The 10th and final edition was held in 2018.
• #ShakaSESSIONS A musical-cultural event series launched as the post-2018 evolution of R4tC, combining music, the Shaka statue and community values around environmental and education causes.
• Ride Social Club

Quantifiable outcome

• CHF 187,725 raised cumulatively since 2009 across 10 editions (most recent single-year total: CHF 40,500 in 2018; peak single-year total: CHF 45,000 in 2016).
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship (municipal host and primary institutional partner), core (regional insurance brand sponsor), flagship (premium outdoor brand aligned with the event's environmental values), core (equipment brand for the paddle/surf disciplines), core (inflatable paddle brand, directly used in the per-km fundraising mechanic), core (french eyewear/outdoor brand sponsor), minor (stand-up paddle specialist), minor (local surf school/specialist), minor (on-site beverage sponsor), minor (hospitality partner), minor (local tourism marketing partner), minor (regional tourism body), minor (local public transport partner), minor (water sports / beach partner), minor (wellness partner), minor (wellness/beverage partner), minor (retail partner), minor (retail/hospitality partner), minor (partner), minor (media/visual-communication partner), core (long-term technology/website partner), core (payment infrastructure), core (swiss-local payment rail), flagship (primary beneficiary ngo; co-founded by r4tc's founder sylvain gaeng), flagship (secondary beneficiary ngo; environmental focus) and core (creator of the association's permanent landmark).

• Commune de Montreuxflagship (municipal host and primary institutional partner)Strategic or Co-development PartnerThe municipality of Montreux is listed as a sponsor and provides the regional/institutional support framework for the event at Pierrier Beach in Clarens. Listed in the "Partenaires" logos section on the homepage.
• Vaudoisecore (regional insurance brand sponsor)GTM or Marketing PartnerVaudoise (Swiss insurance company) is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section. Visible brand association with the annual event and the regional Montreux audience.
• Patagoniaflagship (premium outdoor brand aligned with the event's environmental values)Strategic or Co-development PartnerPatagonia is listed as a sponsor in the "Partenaires" logos section. Strong value alignment around environmental protection, which is core to R4tC's mission.
• FANATICcore (equipment brand for the paddle/surf disciplines)Strategic or Co-development PartnerFANATIC, a board/paddle sports brand, is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section. Natural fit with the sport mechanics of the event.
• Red Paddle Co (Redpaddle)core (inflatable paddle brand, directly used in the per-km fundraising mechanic)Strategic or Co-development PartnerRed Paddle is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section. The "per kilometer ridden" model at R4tC uses stand-up paddle equipment in this category.
• Julbocore (french eyewear/outdoor brand sponsor)Strategic or Co-development PartnerJulbo is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section, providing sports/outdoor eyewear sponsorship aligned with the beach and outdoor positioning.
• Indiana Supminor (stand-up paddle specialist)Strategic or Co-development PartnerIndiana Sup, a stand-up paddle specialist, is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• ARSurfminor (local surf school/specialist)Strategic or Co-development PartnerARSurf is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section, supporting the surf dimension of the event.
• Brasserie Cap'taine Mousseminor (on-site beverage sponsor)GTM or Marketing PartnerLocal brewery listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section; provides on-site beverage experience during the event.
• CafeConfortminor (hospitality partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerCafeConfort is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section, contributing to the on-site food and beverage experience.
• MyMontreuxminor (local tourism marketing partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerMyMontreux is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section, supporting local tourism marketing for the event.
• Montreux Rivieraminor (regional tourism body)GTM or Marketing PartnerMontreux Riviera, the regional tourism organization, is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• VMCV (Transports publics de la région de Montreux)minor (local public transport partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerVMCV is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section, supporting local access to the Pierrier Beach venue.
• Waterwalkminor (water sports / beach partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerWaterwalk is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• Yoga Centerminor (wellness partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerYoga Center is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section, contributing wellness programming around the event.
• La Sourceminor (wellness/beverage partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerLa Source is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• Point Vertminor (retail partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerPoint Vert (Swiss garden center chain) is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• Mayfairminor (retail/hospitality partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerMayfair is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section on the English homepage.
• Carraraminor (partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerCarrara is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• ENE 16minor (partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerENE 16 is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• Comelonminor (partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerComelon is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• Viscomminor (media/visual-communication partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerViscom is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• id-estminor (partner)GTM or Marketing Partnerid-est is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• BfBminor (partner)GTM or Marketing PartnerBfB is listed as a partner in the "Partenaires" logos section.
• B+G & Partners (B+G)core (long-term technology/website partner)Implementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerB+G & Partners (bgcom.ch) is credited in the website footer as the firm that built the ride4thecause.org WordPress/WooCommerce site and continues to maintain it. Listed in the "Partenaires" logos section as well.
• Stripecore (payment infrastructure)Technology or IntegrationStripe is integrated into the WooCommerce checkout to process card payments (Visa, American Express, Mastercard) in CHF on the merchandise storefront.
• PayPalcore (payment infrastructure)Technology or IntegrationPayPal is offered as a checkout option on the WooCommerce store, including for buyers without a PayPal account (credit-card fallback).
• PostFinance (E-Finance and PostFinance Card)core (swiss-local payment rail)Technology or IntegrationPostFinance E-Finance and PostFinance Card are integrated as checkout options via the PostFinance Commerce (woocommerce_postfinancecw) plugin to serve Swiss customers.
• WAVES for Developmentflagship (primary beneficiary ngo; co-founded by r4tc's founder sylvain gaeng)Strategic or Co-development PartnerWAVES for Development is one of R4tC's two beneficiary NGOs. Co-founded/initiated by Sylvain Gaeng (R4tC's President), WAVES delivers double-teaching (English + environment) and surf lessons to 250+ children per school year in Lobitos, Peru, plus social-entrepreneurship training. It received R4tC's per-kilometer fundraising proceeds starting 2009.
• Summit FOUNDATIONflagship (secondary beneficiary ngo; environmental focus)Strategic or Co-development PartnerSummit FOUNDATION is R4tC's second beneficiary NGO, joined the partnership in 2010 (with proceeds from 2013). It is an independent Swiss non-profit (founded January 2001, recognized of public utility) focused on lowering the environmental impact of human activities in ski resorts and music festivals through awareness and concrete solutions.
• Greg Williams (artist)core (creator of the association's permanent landmark)OthersArtist Greg Williams (gergwills.ch) designed the 2.50 m × 1.70 m Shaka Statue unveiled in June 2018 on the Pierrier Beach in Clarens to celebrate the 10th edition of R4tC. The statue uses driftwood collected from Lake Léman, in line with the association's environmental DNA.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Surfrider Foundation: Large international surf-environment non-profit with a similar beach-community-and-environment mission. A broader incumbent in the surf-NGO space that R4tC's cause and beneficiary NGOs effectively sit alongside.
• charity: water: Large non-profit that pioneered the "fundraise per km" / event-driven digital donation model R4tC uses (per-kilometer pledges). Comparable as a donor-facing event-based fundraising organization, though at vastly larger scale.
• Swiss Solidarité (Swiss Solidarity / Glückskette): Swiss national fundraising foundation of the SRG SSR media group. Comparable as a Swiss-franchise event- and media-driven donation organization, and a relevant benchmark for R4tC's recurring national media coverage.

Direct peers

• Surf Aid International: Non-profit using surfing as a vector for community development, health and education in coastal regions — directly comparable to the WAVES/R4tC model in Lobitos, Peru.
• WAVES for Development: Swiss-based non-profit co-founded by R4tC's own President (Sylvain Gaeng) and R4tC's primary beneficiary. It runs sport-for-development surf/education programs in Lobitos, Peru — the exact model R4tC funds — making it a directly comparable mission and operational peer.
• Summit FOUNDATION: Independent Swiss non-profit (public utility) focused on lowering the environmental impact of human activities in ski resorts and music festivals; R4tC's second beneficiary NGO since 2013. Highly comparable as a small Swiss non-profit combining sport/music events with environmental mission.

Emerging players

• Music for Relief: Non-profit that uses music events and artist involvement to fundraise for disaster/environmental causes. Directly comparable to the #ShakaSESSIONS concept of combining music/culture with a fundraising cause.

Others

• GoFundMe (Lobitos education campaign): Crowdfunding platform that hosts R4tC's Lobitos/Peru education campaign. Relevant as a comparable bottom-of-funnel donation channel and a benchmark for digital fundraising mechanics used by individual non-profits.
• WAVES International Surfing Association (ISA): International federation governing competitive surfing. Comparable as the ecosystem organization around the same sport (surf / SUP) on which R4tC built its flagship event and beneficiary programs.

Regional players

• Montreux Jazz Festival: Montreux-based large-scale annual music/cultural event and foundation. Highly relevant as the regional template R4tC's #ShakaSESSIONS pivot is trying to emulate — same geography, same music/beach festival category, very different scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/R4tC.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ride-for-the-cause
• Instagraminstagram.com/ride4thecause

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ride For The Cause