This looks totally epic for any Stand Up Paddler to watch!
“The wild Pacific Ocean is a formidable mistress. Legendary oceanic paddle-sport athlete, Will Schmidt, is on his way to discovering this fact in as rough, painful and life-changing conditions as the water could could dish out; by traversing this harsh oceanic coastline unassisted, from Canada to Mexico.
In 2014, legendary So-Cal ocean paddle-sports pioneer and survivor of debilitating anxiety and depression, Will Schmidt, successfully attempted what is now historically the first and only solo and largely unassisted stand up paddle of the Pacific Coast of the United States from Canada to Mexico. Armed with an assortment of lifesaving, global positioning, video and audio equipment, he hurtled headfirst into documenting this extraordinary journey, told from a first-person perspective, through his own eyes.
About the Artist -Will Schmidt never envisioned his course in life flowing in this direction. Although a lifelong athlete and adventurer, it took a near deadly struggle with depression and the loss of dear friends with the same affliction to understand his purpose and plight. Utilizing ocean therapy coupled with world record setting feats of daring skill and endurance, Will has become a formidable figure in the fight to humanize traumatic mental illnesses and the social stigma that surrounds them.
-Will’s legendary unassisted stand up paddle of the American Pacific coast from Canada to Mexico in 2014 solidified his status as a pioneer of ocean paddling endurance sports. 1,386 miles and 1.25 million paddle strokes over 58 consecutive days led to his receipt of SUP Magazine’s “Top Expedition” Award, a feature on CBS Sport’s “Courage in Sports” special, as well as a flurry of live appearances, radio, television, and printed coverage.
-Will is also known for previous expeditions through the California Channel Islands. He is the only 2 and 3 time solo stand up paddler across the length of the Catalina Channel as well as the fastest paddler to traverse the 40 mile stretch on multiple board length classes. In 2013 he attempted a consecutive Channel Islands route that brought him 225 miles through the inner 5 islands in the 8 island chain starting and ending on mainland California. His continuing philanthropic effort through many additional fundraisers has topped $50,000.
-Will Schmidt is a former United States Marine, a dedicated brand ambassador for SIC Maui SUP, a contributing author for theInertia.com, a two time invited solo participant in the Moloka’i to Oahu Paddleboard World Championships, and has produced and starred in documentary film recounting his harrowing ocean experiences.”
WATCH HERE https://bit.ly/2nPwoI3
Via Will Schmidt