Paddleboarding From Key West to Maine For A Cause

[ricki]

I met Mike Simpson and Will Rich Thursday night at Lauderdale Marina. These two guys are paddling SUP boards from Key West to Portland, Maine over a five month period. That is over 1800 miles! They are regular guys, watermen but not world famous standup paddlers, yet anyway.



Mike on the right and Will on the left.

You can track their progress realtime via GPS coordinates which appear on their website, http://www.supthecoast.com/ or by clicking on http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=4QkNU



The guys are riding two custom 17 ft. long displacement SUPs complete with running lights.


They both have a passion for the ocean and paddling. It goes beyond that however, they are trying to draw attention to two deserving causes, Wounded Warrior Project and SUP Clean-up.




The Wounded Warrior Project, WWP, is aptly described on their website:

"In doing this we hope to spread awareness and raise money for two specific causes which stem from these passions. The first is Wounded Warrior Project, a national organization which supports America's service men and women, particularly upon their return from duty. The by-line of the group is: "the greatest casualty of war is being forgotten". Regardless of what one's stance is on the US involvement in the Middle East, the fact is that these people put their lives on the line for the rest of us every day. We think it's only right to stand up for those who stood up for us. There's another quote regarding our troops which says: "All gave some, and some gave all ". If this resounds with you, please see the WWP page http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ "

SUP Cleanup


What they do:
"The manifest activities of SUP Cleanup include identifying impending cleanup sites and scheduling monthly cleanups. Along the way, the organization also aims to recruit new members, inform the public about the trash problem strangling our beaches and oceans and develops new chapters along coasts throughout the states."
http://www.supcleanup.com/



I shot a quick interview with the guys last night at Lauderdale Marina in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl:




(note to self, when using a Droid make sure your subject isn't backlit or too much in shadow!)



Hanalei Bay, Kauai where the idea to make the long paddle came to Mike.



You need gear for an adventure on the water like this, 80 pounds each as it turns out!


Why not try to meet the guys on their paddle? That would appreciate it and even better to join them as they glide up the coast.

More to come ...



http://www.supthecoast.com/

They're also on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SUP-th...27666660625758


Thanks to Jimmy Balboni for telling me about this!

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[ricki]

James Balboni captures a unique moment as the guys work northward from their start in Key West.



"Crossing through Port Everglades!! on St.Patties Day, stopping off at the Tug Ft.Lauderdale for a water break!!! thank you Rick Iossi, Will from Lauderdale Marina and Courtney Day of Cape Ann Towing for helping with a warm welcome to the '' Venice of America""

Great shot Jimmy!



The guys launching by the Southernmost Hotel, a popular surf spot, in Key West on March 1, 2011.



A shot of Mike in Key West putting into the water before the start.
From: https://www.facebook.com/photo_searc...25758&view=all

[ricki]

They made it, way to go guys!

"PORTLAND, Maine – On March 1st, 2011, Mike Simpson and Will Rich set off from Key West, Florida. With their stand up paddle boards pointed north and with no intentions of stopping until they reached their goal in Portland, Maine, their SUP the Coast journey began. Four months later, after almost 90 days of paddling and 120 total days into their trip, Mike and Will reached the end of their journey on June 29th."

Continued at:
http://supconnect.mylocallineup.com/...ast-coast.html