Round 2! Stand Up Paddle Against Depression: The Journey Continues!

[EgoSmitty]

Ive been posting around about my upcoming September charity paddle campaign. Though some of the Zoners would be interested as well!

(cut and paste from my donation site)...

For those of you who are just learning of my adventures as well as those who followed me in the past, Id like to extend a warm ALOHA!

This April after surviving a near deadly battle with debilitating anxiety and depression, I shared my new lease on life with the world by stand up paddling the entirety of the Catalina Channel solo and nonstop to benefit anxiety/depression research through the Wounded Warrior Project. I successfully completed a 45.2 mile nonstop journey from Avalon, Catalina Island to Dana Point Harbor, CA on April 6th, 2013.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Im going to take it a step further this time. Actually I plan to take this one right off the map! My crew has been picked, the boat is in order, our minds are focused, and our intentions are golden!

This SEPTEMBER 13th, 2013, myself and the crew of the Campbell Sloop will begin an attempt to SOLO STAND UP PADDLE THE CALIFORNIA CHANNEL ISLANDS CHAIN FROM OXNARD, CA TO DANA POINT, CA.

You read that right! Our goal is to launch from mainland California in Oxnard and touch each of the 8 islands in the chain over the period of one week ending us back at our home harbor of Dana Point, CA. The crew of the Sloop will be close at hand as I negotiate approximately 320 NAUTICAL MILES of open ocean with nothing but a 14 foot slab of foam beneath my feet and a 7 foot paddle in my hand.

The motivation behind these undertakings was my history as a U.S. Marine. I have so many friends who have come out of hot zones with severe symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Many symptoms that I suffer from as well although not military related. It is of the utmost importance that I raise awareness for those who suffer from this silent and un-diagnosable disease.

For this challenge, Susan Campbell (Captain of the Sloop) has generously offered her time and vessel to me to help me complete my task. In turn, 50 percent of the funds raised from this event will go to her charity, Casa Hogar, benefiting orphaned children in Mexico.

I will be fundraising through this month and during the event as well as an undefined period of time afterwards. I have set a goal of $30,000 however I would love to surpass it and donate as much as possible to our respective charities. Please, please, please feel free to donate at http://www.gofundme.com/3xjulo as well as post my link on your Facebook, and Twitter pages as well as email as many friends as you can to ask the same of them. You can also visit my website AreYouInspiredYet.com or email me personally at Info@AreYouInspiredYet.com and I will put you on my update list for future events!

------Your favorite California Waterman, Will Schmidt-----

Susan Campbell
Heidi Marriner
Hannah Feldman

[surf monkey]

Ego

I was thinking of you last week I camped up in Jalama and the wind was cranking , but on the drive up to Jalama along the Santa Barbara coast was so nice. Your original post of starting up at Point Conception just below Jalama is so hard to get to with a boat, I couldn't wrap my head around the logistics it would take.

This paddle seems like a better course just looked at the date Friday the 13th. I live here in Oxnard next to the harbor I have done a lot of boating and paddling in this area I have paddled from Anacapa Island to Oxnard a few times but not paddled out to the island, if the wind is not blowing it would be a fun paddle.

Let me know if you need some help with the logistics or need info on the Islands or places to anchor at the islands, looking at your course from Santa Cruz to Santa Rosa that pass gets a lot of wind going up the front side of Rosa could be hard might want to look at the back side of the island for that leg?

Good luck

[EgoSmitty]

I was actually thinkimg the same thing about wrapping the other side of that one. Initially the route was to conserve miles but if I am getting blown away then there really is no point. Ill pm you later with some burning questions that I have.

Will (Ego)

[surf monkey]

Yea no worries, I have lots of friends that know the islands well and have worked as a harbor patrol officer in this area for 20 plus years, I come from a sailing and commercial fishing background. If I don't know the answers I could probably find someone that will. I like this kind of stuff more than happy to help, I have small kids and not much free time but I'll do what I can.

What size boat are you using?

[surf monkey]

You might find some info from these guys they are swimmers but crazy like you

https://www.facebook.com/sbchannelswim

I also have a friend that has escorted Jim McConica on his swims, Jim has done a lot of research on the islands and currents he might be a good guy to talk to?

[EgoSmitty]

What size boat are you using?

http://www.campbellsloop.com/campbell_sloop.htm

Susie Campbell is a Coast Guard certified 100 ft vessel operator. A great Captain and knows the Islands pretty well. She is planning our moorings and waypoints as we speak. I believe her boat is 38 feet.

[EgoSmitty]

My teaser video is up in case anyone would like to check it out!

[PonoBill]

You might want to contact Karen Wrenn. She did the channel islands paddle a couple of years ago and could give you some information about the route and conditions. There's a lot of information on her site:
http://www.karenwrenn.com/blog/channel-islands-day-one-provisions-and-planning.html

[EgoSmitty]

Karen and I have emailed back and forth ever since I was planning my Catalina paddle in April. She is a wealth of knowledge and Ive learned quite a bit.

My paddle is a bit different than hers however. Her goal was to cross all 7 channels in the chain. My goal is to launch from Oxnard and touch all 8 islands in the chain and then paddle back to Dana Pt. This doubles+ the route that she took.

I actually owned the board she did the crossings on for a hot minute last year as well. Ive chosen to ride 14' for this trip.

[EgoSmitty]

9 days away and the OC Register story is printed.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/paddle-523979-islands-depression.html

-Ego

[surf monkey]

Ego

I hope the weather we have had the last couple of days holds for you. All last week we have had NW wind in the Channel and it was rough making the first leg to Anacapa a tough paddle. Yesterday the weather changed and it looks like a lake today. Good luck.

FYI
I have some friends that are escorting a swimmer back from Anacapa Saturday the 14th, they are starting at 2am. So you might have some company at the Island.

IF you need any help while your up in the Oxnard area let me know.

[EgoSmitty]

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0FIj5xGSLe0bvmhh5gP54ndJNMcYJGfAc

Tracking link for my channel islands paddle!