It was on a whim and in the midst of a cold-brewed coffee-high that I committed to paddling 28 miles around New York City for SEA Paddle NYC. After all, I had just moved back to Boston, MA from Ventura, CA where one year prior I convinced 20 spring-break college surfers to sleep in tents and scoop horse poop for 3 days, all in the name of being “good” surfers and recycling.
Although the Boulder Surf Club trip was ultimately a success, some surfers just aren’t stoked to scoop horse poop and lend hand on a 501(c)(3) wild horse sanctuary on California’s Central Coast, nor are many surfers intrigued by in a grueling 28mile SUP around the island of Manhattan to support the environment and autism. That said, 175 surfers from Hawaii to Virginia Beach totally were. On August 13th, we battled the elements along the Hudson, Harlem, and East rivers of NYC. I took no breaks, ate 1 Cliff Bar, and paddled my ass off from 9:30am to 5:15pm. After the 8+ hours of constant paddling, my quadriceps, core, and shoulder muscles were entirely spent. For some reason though, my imagination kept racing. For me, SEA Paddle NYC was greater than an epic workout. I remain energized and inspired by the participants and volunteers of SEA Paddle NYC. Those surfers, I mean people, use surfing, I mean life, to bring positive change to everything they touch… and that really stokes me out.
Thank you friends, family, and Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Co. for the support and SUP (stand-up paddleboard) gear that enabled me to take part in this special event.