Morris Island Light is it getting any closer?

Morris Island lighthouse: Construction started in 1872 and it took four years to build, operating the light for the first time on October 1, 1876. The tower leans slightly toward the NE and we believe it has slowly done so since the earthquake of 1886, along with the slow erosion of the very sand it sits on out in the ocean.

Yesterday's training run took me out Charleston harbor towards Folly and Morris Island light.  It felt like a long way off but slowly slowly it moved closer.  Then to my surprise I saw two figures on the horizon paddling towards me.  It was great to run into fellow SUP'ers and a great boost to morale.  Thanks Beth and Jenny.

Follow along at:
https://fundly.com/justin-s-everglades-challenge-sup-for-surfers-healing-folly-beach

19 Days to go and I feel like I am going no where!

The required equipment lists feels like it’s getting longer. 

I am still deciding what board to use and oh yes, should I not be out there training.  I even tried a bit of that the other day and progress was slow due to a strong headwind.

 Here’s to a brighter week. I know it's all going to start coming together now.

Are you crazy?

I walked into the local surf shop to buy some inserts for my SUP and as I came out this line really stuck in my head - "Are you crazy?"

Inserts for holding down gear

As I asked for “4, no make it 5 inserts" the guy behind the counter gave me a surprised look.  Like, why would you want 5 most people just require one and he asked me what I was fixing.  So I explained it’s for my SUP, I am doing this long race and you have to take all this safety gear and I need to secure it to my board.  He mulls it over and I think he is starting to worry.   Since I had already asked how easy it is to put them in myself.

He asked me “how long is the race?”
I tried to act casual and tell him it’s a week.
He stops and looks at me again somewhat surprised.
“That’s a long time to be standing on a board, how far is it?”
I had hoped he wouldn’t ask because the last person to inquire that had a similar reply and I was sensing a trend here.  I told him it’s roughly 300 miles.
Bang, it happened again “Are you crazy?”

After all the “crazy” comments I am beginning to doubt my sanity.   Yet I will continue and I will look forward to more words of encouragement crazy or not.

Thanks
Justin 

I took the plunge it's official now

Time to get out there.

I signed up for the Watertribe Everglades challenge 2014.  Its an unsupported expedition style adventure race starting from Fort Desoto in Tampa Bay and ending in Key Largo.  The path along Florida’s SW coast line takes one through the Thousand Islands and Everglades National Park.  It’s a 300 mile paddle which is long but doable if you have time and can plan around the weather.  Problem is it’s a race and competitors have only 8 days to complete the course.  Now that’s a big ask and a huge challenge.   

Possible routes

The Watertribe members each have a tribe name and are headed up by a “Chief” who puts on the events.  My entry is "justsurf" and I am the only SUP entered which I take as a bad sign.  Good news is there were three last year and only one finished.  Congratulations to Shane Perrin, at least I know it can be done.  From a lot of past “Watertriber’s” they say one of the hardest things is just making it to the beach for the start.  It sure feels that way as there is so much gear to gather and the logistics of getting there and then getting back to one’s car depending how far you get.  Added to this is the fact that one has to paddle at least 37 1/2 miles per day.  To put that into perspective the longest race I have done so far is 7 miles, ouch that’s another 30 to go.

Folly River

Here's a link to the Watertribe site.

I’m excited though and looking forward to the adventure.  Follow along if you like, I will try and update this blog with more information about the race and my journey to get there.

Cheers
Justin