Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => SUP General => Topic started by: EgoSmitty on February 28, 2013, 08:28:30 PM
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My last thread got moved to the events section but I wanted to post here and ask a question of fellow Zoners.
I have communicated and advertised my intent to paddle the Catalina Channel solo as an exhibition alongside the Ohana Catalina Challenge in April. I am paddling the 40 mile trip solo on a standup to benefit Wounded Warriors. I am also a former Marine who suffers from PTSD and post service depression. It turns out that the event organizers are less than receptive to this idea.
I contacted Jill and Jeane at Ocean Ohana only to be turned down. Jill first stated that they have never let a stand up do the crossing solo. This is untrue because we all know Jared Vargas and Jodie Nelson got permissions to do it. Then stated that my fundraiser would take away all the attention from the relay teams and they didnt want everyone to try and jump on the bandwagon of solo, charitable paddles.
She suggested that I paddle a different day or weekend even though my chase crew and fundraising plans target that specific date. I told her I would just leave out of Avalon early and not bother their event at all. She got pretty rude with me and hung up on me.
So what do you think I should do? I am most certainly paddling for my cause regardless, however should I do it on Saturday? Leave early out of there on Sunday? Am I getting bullied or am I just being a baby about it?
-Will
http://gogetfunding.com/project/stand-up-paddle-against-depression-a-personal-journey (http://gogetfunding.com/project/stand-up-paddle-against-depression-a-personal-journey)
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It seems that you would be piggybacking on their event and you would likely draw attention and dollars away from them.
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I'd say do a different day and be completely separate from their event. Their concerns seemed reasonable and even the rudeness isn't surprising if you consider things from their perspective. Plus you may get some more attention for your cause that way anyway, versus being in competition with the race.
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That is what I was afraid of. I dont want to turn my trip into a bad thing just as much as I dont want to get in the way of their event. It is unfortunate that they didnt want to combine the two as an exhibition. I am most likely going to simply change my paddle to that Saturday (the day before) and avoid more drama with them.
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Either way is fine.
It's not their ocean. If you aren't looking for support from them in any way then do it when you please. Worrying about someone else taking away attention seems kind of odd to me. If they were that worried they need to be more accommodating. Excluding people is how you fracture an event.
That said, if the only reason you're choosing that particular day is because it's they day they chose, then pick different one. Piggybacking without permission is lousy karma.
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It has been a few years, but I think Jodie Nelson did not do that paddle with any event.
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It has been a few years, but I think Jodie Nelson did not do that paddle with any event.
From Jodie Nelsons Website:
http://paddlewithpurpose.wordpress.com/larry-the-whale-march-2010-paddle-for-breast-cancer/ (http://paddlewithpurpose.wordpress.com/larry-the-whale-march-2010-paddle-for-breast-cancer/)
On March 28, 2010 we had the honor and privilege to travel with a Minke Whale off the coast of Orange County, California. Jodie Nelson was on a solo trek on a 14 foot stand up paddle board from Avalon, Catalina to Dana Point, California, a distance of approximately 40 miles, to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer. She was officially a part of the annual Ocean Ohana Catalina Challenge which is a relay race involving teams racing on single and double Outriggers or Surfski’s, as well as Stand up Surfboards and Paddle boards. Jodie was given a special start time due to her solo mission knowing it could take up to 10 hours to complete. If she accomplished her mission, she would be the first woman ever to Stand Up Paddle this crossing.
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I also just emailed back and forth with Karen Wrenn. Most of you know her as the woman who paddled the Channel Islands. She also tried to paddle the Ohana race solo and they would not let her. She actually mentioned that they were pretty rude to her as well.
I certainly do not need any bad ocean karma. I picked the date hoping to be a part of the Ohana Challenge and raise awareness for my paddle as well as their relay at the same time. I will most likely end up paddling on Saturday April 6th and avoid them all together. I want this to be a good thing. Not shrouded by drama or bad vibes.
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Hey Ego,
I know of a team who signed up as a team, went to the island as a team, then only one team member paddled the whole way (and you know who you are). Maybe that was a work around to the organizers? As Pono says, do it anytime you want. There isn't much or really any coverage of the event anyways. People still think that Jodie Nelson did it solo, just her and the whale. I don't remember hearing of any of the other participants in any of the news coverage about Jodie's paddle. None of the paddlers or crews will care. By the way, thank you for serving our country, and helping out others who have paid the price as well. I hope the paddling is helping you out.
Here's an idea. Start a stand-up paddle race dedicated to Military personal suffering from PTSD. It could be solo or relay teams. Start in Avalon, and finish the race at Doheny, on the beach. Invite Military family and friends to a picnic. They can hang around and cheer on the finishers as they straggle in.
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Correction accepted.
Jodie's encounter with the whale made lots of news. But, the race received very little coverage.
So, the events experience with the press coverage may have led them to their current decision.
The decision to be rude is another matter.
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Tall and Steve are right. The event really didnt get a lot of press and she certainly did. I love the idea of a charity based race for the military and will definitely look into it.
It is official, I will paddle on the 6th and avoid Ohana altogether.
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I hope the paddling is helping you out.
Paddling saved my life!
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Smitty,
Thanks for your service... And for anything and everything that you are doing to help fellow warriors integrate back into society.
SL
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Bro,
Doesn't sound to me that this is about you or your "karma"...sounds to me that this is more about lack of "aloha" and respect...TallDude has it right...if I were you, I'd avoid the drama...but, if your heart is into it...just do it!!!
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I think I remember Karen Wrenn writing about doing it solo by signing up as a team, but taking every leg, and also remember something about the other woman already having got some press for planning to go solo, and people then treating Karen Wrenn rudely just for entering the picture unexpectedly. I may be remembering it all wrong, too. Point is that your request could have brought up some touchy memories for the race organizers--maybe even ones that were the result of their own past missteps--so any rudeness may be explained more by that than it really being aimed at you.
But in any event, have a great paddle and maybe you really can get others to join you in the future. I think you'd have a lot of support.
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Yeah, that's pretty much as I remember it too. I talked to Karen about it when she got back from the event. She was pretty pissed at the organizers, they kind of screwed her over. The sounded like a weird bunch then and they do again now. I'd avoid them.
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I commend you on your goal and cause!!! IMO I understand there's an event , but at the same time water is water, do this when it feels right and appropriate for you. Personally I find it sad that you were not welcomed, almost as if you're attempting to steal somebody's Thunder.
I'm not saying go and rock their SUP, but for me it's ridiculous how ppl are so offended and easily butthurt. I see absolutely nothing wrong with participating in an event to gain more exposure for your cause. In fact I call that being intelligent and maximizing potential exposure for ALL parties.
You'll never please everybody, and there may be hidden agendas as to why you've encountered resistance... I think the most important things are to just be determined in your goal, be safe, have fun, and to quote commie slave labor Just Do It!!
Whatever day you end up deciding, I'm looking forward to pics/vid, and your experience .
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EgoSmitty--the thing that hasn't been mentioned is how amazing it is that you're doing a 40-mile ocean paddle. Wow.
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I think I remember Karen Wrenn writing about doing it solo by signing up as a team, but taking every leg, and also remember something about the other woman already having got some press for planning to go solo, and people then treating Karen Wrenn rudely just for entering the picture unexpectedly.
You are right. I received an email from Karen last night and she said almost the exact same thing. She said the race organizers sent her a letter after the event and scolded her for it. She also mentioned that her sponsors (Kaenon, Naish, etc) wrote the event organizers a letter in return. She says they didnt even congratulate her when she finished.
So here is the official plan..
1. I will be paddling for my fundraiser however I am officially paddling on Saturday, April 6th as to avoid the Ohana race altogether.
2. I picked the Wounded Warriors Project as my charity beneficiary.
3. I am crazy excited to do this!
http://gogetfunding.com/project/stand-up-paddle-against-depression-a-personal-journey (http://gogetfunding.com/project/stand-up-paddle-against-depression-a-personal-journey)
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Jodie wanted to be the first woman to paddle Catalina to DP solo. She did it to raise money for a friend that had cancer. She raised about $5k... When the whale joined her, she got invited to be on Ellen. Her website went ballistic after the show and jumped to $ 120k. Plenty of great press. It helped that Jodie was a ranked surfer on the women's tour and very connected in the industry. She started "paddle for a purpose" to fund charity events. It's still active today. She's a great ambassador for the sport and hosts a race every march in honor of her late business partner.
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Sounds like good advice to me Ego-definitely thanks for your service and glad to hear things are looking up for you health wise- i would say avoid the rude people and go for it!!
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Thank you everyone. By the way, the video trailer is up for the fundraiser!
Stand Up Paddle Against Depression. A Personal Journey! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_BIY_GMslk#)
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Smitty...thanks for your service and sacrifice. It's great that you want to turn a negative into a positive. I know all to well how you feel.
Is the Ohana event a fundraiser? As an organizer I can see both sides of this. It's an incredible amount of work to put together a big event. Pouring all you have into it only to have someone that wants to come in and do their own thing same day same route would definitely be a turn off. If it is a fundraiser I would be inclined to agree with them. You would be taking away from their efforts and cause. If not then turning you down is pretty shitty of them, and stupid too.
Glad to hear it all worked out. Be safe and good luck. We expect pics and a story... ;D
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The video was good & fun. I hope you have good weather for your paddle.
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The video was good & fun. I hope you have good weather for your paddle.
Thanks Steve. Double thanks for the donation as well!!! My GPS says I paddled approx 4000 calories this past weekend. Is it weird that I clocked faster miles upwind than downwind? Ha!
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Thank You for your service. I am the father of a Marine wounded in Iraq. The Wounder Warrior fund is a worth cause.
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Laird Hamilton posted me on his Facebook this afternoon. I received over 1300 views in an hour...blame Laird.
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Semper Fidelis!