Supposedly, depending on one’s fatness, our bodies are about 60% water. We’re essentially big water balloons waiting to burst. On top of that, the surface of our planet has nearly 3 times more water on it then land. I like to believe this is part of the reason why I’ve always been  drawn to water. Or maybe it is because I spent almost the whole first year of my life living under-water.

    The past 3 years I have been living on-and-off on Hilton Head Island, SC, working as a kayak guide. This has been valuable time to be outside, spending tons of it on the water, giving lessons, and teaching literally thousands of people about an amazing ecosystem and fascinating wildlife. In fact, I was on a very small stretch of the ICW most days.  When last tourist season was ending, I immediately assumed I would go back out west.  Then one day, around Thanksgiving, there was the idea for this trip and I couldn’t shake it.  The more I considered it the more I knew it made sense. Jobs weren’t lining up in Colorado so I began to flesh it out and what started out as a crazy idea revealed to be totally realistic and

reasonable. Certainly it seemed more self rewarding then another winter of working in a bar and being a ski bum (emphasis on the bum). And it turns out the planning and training has been just as beneficial. I’ve finally had a reason to get back into great shape, and the research I’ve done to prepare has taught me a lot on many new subjects.

why?

    The why question is an important one. The reasons I love to paddle a kayak are some of the reasons why I’m so excited for this trip but they really have nothing to do with why I wanted to try to do this so badly.

    First off, there is nothing more calming and peaceful then being in a kayak. Floating just inches above the surface when you are surrounded by open water and 360-degree breathtaking views is incredible. The real aspects of Sea Kayaking are much different then what most people associate with the sport of kayaking: guys wearing helmets, crammed into tiny boats tighter then a pair of leather pants, charging down white frothy rivers and over waterfalls as tall as houses. Sure sea kayaking is not as adrenaline filled as whitewater kayaking (supposedly the most dangerous sport in the world in terms of injury to incidence rate) but it has so many other things going for it. When those other guys are flying down a river the scenic banks and subtle wildlife are passing them by in a blur. I love the fact that when you’re paddling in open water it’s all you. The boat and paddle feel like an extension of your body and every inch of your movement is a direct result of your actions. It’s so easy to forget about rush hour traffic, credit card bills, and what’s on television, and use the peace and quiet to think about more worthwhile topics.

    For these reasons I can’t wait to spend 10-12 weeks paddling everyday. However, there is additional motivation for this trip. I’ve never set a personal challenge like this before and  now seems like the perfect time to try.  I am excited to see how I respond to the problems which inevitably will arise when I have only myself to rely on. I also think that this will be an opportunity to develop a complex set of life skills in a very short time.

    If you ask my parents why I wanted to do this they’ll say that I’m in my Odyssey years - and that it’s normal. My friends would say that I’m reluctant to get a real job (or because I CAN’T get a real job). My brother thinks I just want to have a good conversation starter at the bar. These reasons may very well have some truth to them but none are actually accurate. If I had to give a simple answer it would be because its important. I like to believe that this is like my rite-of-passage. A real version of Huck’s fictitious trip down the Mississippi or like Holden Caulfield’s big weekend in The City.

    Why the Intracoastal? I mean what a perfect waterway for such a trip - a kayaker’s dream. Long stretches of calm, usually flat, water that is clearly marked and is never very remote. It’s beautiful, toll-free, and I’ll be paddling through some of my favorite states. One cool aspect of the trip’s coordination is that all the snow birds will be bringing their boats back up north at the same time - to The Bay, New York, and Boston. It’s a mass migration for thousands of nomadic boat-people so there are bound to be lots of interesting folks in the marinas at night.

   

challenges/expectations

    After nearly 3 months of planning I feel like I have definitely learned a lot and am just about ready. However (and I am fully aware how cheesy I’m being when I say this) the only thing I know I can expect is unforeseen obstacles.  I’m trying to be prepared for any situation but I know that problems will emerge which I have never considered. That’s going to be the fun part.

    I’m resolved to the fact that this will be the most challenging thing that I’ve ever tried to do, considering that I’ve never attempted anything like this before. Certainly the hardest part for me will be the camping. Anyone who knows me well knows I'm not the most organized person and while a kayak provides ample space and one doesn’t have to be as compulsive as say someone trying to hike the AT, one of the biggest challenges for me will be keeping gear organized and packed efficiently. Camping in general is not foreign to me at all, as I was a boy scout after all. There are just inherent difficulties to trying to live out of a kayak for so long. But, it won’t be remote camping every night. Many times I’ll be set up in a marina with access to facilities and that will make things much easier.

    The paddling I feel quite comfortable with. I’m confident in my skills especially considering I will be in protected water  and I am in the best shape I have been in for a LONG time. Plus, I have done 45 mile days in the boat in the past even when I wasn’t very fit. A good friend proposed that the hardest part will be in the solitude and the resulting loneliness. I plan to spend 8-10 hours a day alone in my kayak with no one to talk to so I think that this certainly will be tough, especially as the trip progresses.  To help with this I really hope people take an interest in following along.

transparency

    I’ve tried to incorporate a lot of technology into this adventure - it is 2008 after all - and you’ll be relieved to know none of it involves MySpace of Facebook. I know I’m not the world’s best writer or perhaps not as interesting as Britney, so to combat this I’m going to make this whole process as transparent as possible. I promise not to leave anything out of the trip reports; every detail will be included even when it’s to my embarrassment.  As I was saying before I can guarantee there will definitely be severe problems and you’ll be able to experience them with me. I fully anticipate the first week or two to be pretty bumpy and hopefully we’ll all be able to laugh about it. Things like the budget and fundraising status will also be the same way - no secrets here. If there is ever something that you want to know that is not addressed here or on the blog please email me at Seth@paddletheicw.com

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