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| the route |
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| photo by Blue Giraffe Photo |
Simon: glad you are part of the SUP community and thank you for being the creator of this beautiful expedition. We experienced it all from baby seals on boards, to side chop, strong currents, sun, rain, delicious healthy fresh foods, blisters, good conversations, some water time for some of us, boats, waves, calmness, beautiful sunsets, campfires.... and the list goes on. The pacific north west delivered it all and I loved everyone bit of it.
If you asked any one of us on the trip why and how we got to be on
this trip... The typical answer was through Simon. Simon, a Canadian
sport hero, a retired triathlete and now new to the sport of SUP. He
brought together 10 other paddlers (his friends) to paddle across the
Georgia Straight/Salish Seas from Downtown Vancouver to Downtown
Victoria. Paddling this distance across these waters is not an easy feat for the most elite of paddlers and a
pretty darn amazing feat for those who don't stand up paddle all that much. Our group
members have some pretty amazing backgrounds not only in SUP but in
life as well. Some of the backgrounds of people on the trip
included: Olympic Gold medalists, pro triathletes, top level
swimmers, people who rowed across the Atlantic, world champions,
people who had accomplished other amazing adventures on SUPs and or other sports and just a pretty unbelievable group of people all around. It was too cool to come together to
promote Canadian's Men Health and complete an amazing paddling
journey.
Below I will share aspects of my experience throughout the
journey... I am sure each paddler experienced different magical
moments, hardships, and expectations.
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| Photo By Rory McGarry |
I knew it would be difficult, but for some reason I wasn't too worried about the trip with all
the great planning, safety, boats, and support surrounding us. Lyle,
Aaron, Louise and Rory were all on the support boat that would follow
us and ensure our safety throughout the trip.
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| photo by Rory McGarry & Adrien Sala |
Day 1 was going to be the toughest day, with the big crossing, the
longest distances, and strongest currents. It indeed was the most
difficult day: 12 hours, 70km, max currents with and against us, side
chop, etc etc... It was also the first time the 11 of us were all
paddling together. So, a big day with many paddlers we had never
paddled with before. Challenges would arise.
We had our send off form First Beach on English Bay at 5am. The
water was calm and the temps perfect. We got across to Point Grey
quickly and efficiently and it was here where we took our first break
before the BIG crossing. Things were looking good, everyone was on
track and together. We were all excited and in good spirits and ready
to get the crossing done before winds and currents would make it more
challenging. We were aiming for Dionisio Point on Galiano Island. I
have to say I was happy to have the support boat with us, with all
the boat traffic, it could be a very scary place to be all on your
own. The safety boat was able to make calls to other boats to let
them know we were there paddling across the shipping lanes. The
current was on our side for half of the crossing but the westerly
winds gave us a pretty steady side chop. We were all feeling the
effects of paddling mostly on our left sides but with strong minds
and the desire to keep moving we were making good ground. Everyone
did such an amazing job of bunkering down and dealing with the
conditions, enjoying the fact we were doing something very special
that few few people ever do. For me, it was too cool to paddle this
crossing as I have taken endless ferries across and always wondered
what it would be like to paddle across. Here I was in the midst of
paddling across on a SUP! I was happy to be wearing my 7mm booties as
others who were barefoot were starting to feel the effects of the
cool water. As we crossed the water temps decreased all the way to
Victoria. Unfortunately for me, my hands started to blister
throughout the crossing which is new for me (I rarely blister). My
blistered hands proved to be slightly annoying for the remainder of
the trip, it would cause me some discomfort and therefore affect
different parts of my upper body as I was adjusting my grip to avoid
the pain in my hands. It was the worst at the beginning and after
breaks but once I was into the rhythm of it I my mind would forget
about them for a little bit at a time. We made it to the tip of
Galiano by noon. Here we took a well deserved lunch break before
taking on Porlier Pass. We didn't see any wildlife throughout our
crossing but it was pretty beautiful to look right, left, forward and
backwards. We truly live in a very beautiful part of the world. After
looking at the strong currents of Polier Pass and wondering if any of
us could paddle through it with boils, rocks, and crazy currents,
Mike Darbyshire was the only one that managed to paddle the pass at
max current of 8.2 knots against us. It was crazy to see close up how
the boils were forming and the quickness of the current. I just stood
there and watched it for awhile, amazed. Jack also explored the
currents on his prone board but could not punch through to the other
side. The rest of us hiked around the point to skip past the worst of
the currents. What the next 4 hours would entail was frankly pretty
heart wrentching and mentally difficult... We paddled so hard against
such a strong current that we were making very little ground at
2km/hour. The current was fierce and our muscles getting tired. We
all paddled close to shore but still the effects of the current were
very strong. The last 20km along the coast of Galiano were tough
going and we really had to dig deep inside of us both physically and
mentally to push through and make it to Montague Harbour in good
time. Luckily we made it to Montague Harbour with smiles on our faces
and with plenty of light left. We enjoyed our accomplishments in good
company and with delicious foods that was prepared for us:) The
sunset was grand and then it was off to bed, my brain and body were
ready for some rest and a good sleep!
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| photo by Rory McGarry & Adrien Sala |
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| photo by Rory McGarry & Adrien Sala |
Day 2
After a killer of a sleep, I was ready to conquer day 2. I love
those sleeps where your body and mind are so tired you just fall
directly into a deep and delicious sleep. Once awake ont his
beautiful morning, we enjoyed an amazing breakfast of fruit, coffee,
and an unbelievable egg sandwhich. After breakfast it was all about
getting ourselves onto the water for a 9am departure but first we had
to haul the boards back down the trail and stairs to the water and
bags back on the boat. The weather was warm and calm which made for a
nice start to the day. Our first crossing from Montague Harbour on
Galiano to Prevost Island was easy and calm and beautiful. I couldn't
stop looking around and just taking in the beauty of the islands and
ocean. It was a very calming and freeing feeling as I paddled and
just took it all in. As we passed Prevost Island the winds started to
pick up as weheaded alongside Salt Spring to the tip of Ruckle
Provincial Park on Salt Spring. Boat traffic increased a little and
we could see the ferries out in front. We continued on past Portland
Island and a bunch of smaller islands where among them Jack had the
amazing luck of having a baby seal jump onto his paddleboard. He
didn't touch it but let it enjoy the board before he dipped his
board back in the water so the baby seal could continue his journey
and join the rest of its family in the water. We stopped for lunch
and a little break in the sun with the view of Sidney town in the
foreground. Post lunch the crossing over to Vancouver Island was a
little intense with lots of boat traffic, waves, wind and
current...but we made it. It was a couple more hours of following the
coast line to our next camp site at Island View Beach. It was pretty
easy paddling from there on. At Island View Beach we were greeted by
the Men's Health and Fantan folks who showed us to our campsite. We
enjoyed some time to relax in the sun, chat, and eat some amazing and
delicious food before heading to bed nice and early. Another tough
BUT too amazing day at the office:)
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| photo by Rory McGarry & Adrien Sala |
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| photo by Rory McGarry & Adrien Sala |
Day 3. We all agreed that our pririty was to make it to Victoria
Harbour in a safe manner on this last day of our expedition. In order
to achieve this we had to all agree to leave earlier than the
original plan in order to beat the predicted high winds and
potentially bad weather. So a 4am breakfast, 4:30am bags to the beach
and 5am departure was the plan. It rained throughout the night but at
the critical moments of getting up and getting breakfast the rain had
ceased for a little bit. Our breakfast of egg, bacon wraps and coffee
was perfect. We all dressed a little warmer on this rainy, cool
morning with neoprene, toques, booties, and gloves. We were pretty
eager to get on the water and start paddling as the predicted winds
were going to make the paddle a tough one. The paddle to the first
major point was pretty rough, it was a whole lot of side chop and one
needed to just push through to get to the point. Once we rounded the
corner LUCK was on our side as the conditions actually got better
instead of tougher. We happily paddled passed the Discovery islands
and then past Trial islands and onto Clover Point. At Clover Point we
expected the toughest conditions but our timing was perfect as we
cruised past way ahead of schedule. We eventually rounded the Harbour
walls and that was it, we stuck together as we cruised into Victoria
harbour to meet the few fans and workers that managed to get there 5
hours before our scheduled arrival. We were greeted with signs,
coffee, and hugs. It was perfect.
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| Photo By Blue Giraffe Photo |
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| photo by Blue Giraffe Photo |
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| Photo by Brian Raymer |
What an unbelievable experience with some pretty amazing paddlers
and for a great cause too. Thank you to Simon for the invite, the
other paddlers for the company, CMH, Fantan, and all of those that
helped make this trip happen with such success.
Check out
dontchangemuch.ca and
Canadian's Men Health Foundation
for ideas of making small changes to ensure a long healthy life.
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| Photo by Brian Raymer |
The amazing paddlers:
Simon Whitfield
Duff Gibson
Yannick Michaud
Morgan Hoesterey
Lina Augaitis
Markus Pukonen
George Pisek
Jack Bark
Roch Frey
Chad Guenter
Mike Darbyshire
THANK YOU:
Lyle Berzins: Boat Captain
Erin Bradely: Boat Captain
Heather Lejeune: Project Manager, Fantan
Tina Rogers :Communications and Events Manager, CMHF
Kirsten Ovstaas: Course Coordinator
Matthew Traynor : Volunteer Site Assistant
Campbell Kearns: Chef
Rory McGarry: Videographer
Duracell, Edge Energy Foods, Fantan Group, Men's Health Foundation
THANK YOU TO MY SPONSORS:
Thank you
SIC for the board: the 14ft Bullet V2 was great.
WernerPaddles and
Nikki Rekman Sales for the paddles (Small Grand Prix paddle)
SeasonFive ( Kiowa hoody, barrier capris, crystal tank) and
Kokatat (
Hydrus 3L Tempest Pants with socks - Tropos, otter jacket) for the perfect
things to wear,
Clifbar, Feed the Machine for the nutrition
OnItPro,
Ryders Eyewear,
Surffur, Larry Allison Fins, the added extras that make the paddle that much sweeter
Crossfit Vancouver,Ultimate Potential, Olympus Movement and Mobility,
Kalavida Surf Shop, Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak,
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| photo by Rory McGarry |
live, love, laugh,...DREAM!
lina
