I am excited to announce the launching of the SAIL
2 SURF project. SAIL 2 SURF will combine
sailing and high-energy kayaking to promote minimal-impact adventure, and work
with regionally-pertinent environmental non-profits by raising funds, promoting
awareness, and hands-on participation.
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Surfing short boats in Tofino, BC |
Matt Nelson is the team leader, and has sailed
extensively in Alaska, British Columbia, and Mexico, including a three-year N.
Pacific voyage in a 28-foot engineless sailboat, which included two ocean
crossings. During this voyage, his
passion for kayaking grew and he currently coaches high-performance paddling in
surf, sea, and river environments (see bio on this site). In 2008 he was a part of a team of
kayakers to successfully circumnavigate the entire Kenai Peninsula, AK while
raising funds for an environmental non-profit, Cook Inletkeeper (see blog at ourowntwohands.blogspot.com).
“It’s been a dream of mine for a number of years to
combine two of my passions into a unique and meaningful trip, and one that
others can participate in”
Matt has been involved in various kayak-related
films, is a team paddler for P&H kayaks, and teaches at symposia
internationally.
SAIL 2 SURF is a sail-supported adventure,
accessing prime high-energy paddling destinations, specifically the numerous
tidal rapids of British Columbia, outer-coast surf breaks of Vancouver Island
and Calvert Island, and remote locations along the California and Baja coast.
“I have been inspired by the films “180 Degrees
South”, Reel Water Production’s “The Season”, Taylor Steele’s “Sipping Jet Streams”,
the adventures of sailor and surfer Liz Clark, the film “Tipping Barrels” by Ben
Gulliver, and Zac Crouse’s recent exploits, to name a few.”
Following is an initial outline of the aim of the expedition, which will
evolve as sponsorship, crew, and integration of fund-raising arise.
1) To sail to the N.E. corner of Vancouver
Island (Quadra Island region), Calvert Island, and the west coast of Vancouver
Island without the use of fossil fuels, using kayaks and SUP to explore
and surf as many of the tidal rapids as is possible, and access
hard-to-reach locales of ecological interest, increasing intimacy and
connection with the coastal ecology. With
the onset of autumn the vessel will continue south down the west coast to
Mexico, exploring surf breaks for kayaks and SUP, assisting as opportunities
arise, and sharing the adventure with interested audiences via video and still
image presentations.
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"Lung-Ta", the sailing trimaran for Sail 2 Surf
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2) To perform field research and sampling
using the sail vessel and kayaks as a base-of-operations, and assist in data
collection for research projects where our location and experience can be an
asset. SAIL 2 SURF has established a
relationship with Adventurers and
Scientists for Conservation in an effort to facilitate research and data
collection for an ongoing study. (http://www.adventureandscience.org/index.html#open)
and hope to participate at a tangible, hands-on level, while continuing our
adventure.
3) To share the adventure with the greater
community via a short (1/2 hour) documentary and presentations: Documenting
the process as well as the voyage: The process of turning ideas into real action
is empowering and inspiring, and it alone constitutes ample material for a
short film. The personalities on the team, and the mission with its
inherent beauty and challenges, will assuredly create an interesting story and istunning
imagery. We will acquire written and video
material to be used in instructional
video episodes specifically addressing kayaking skills in tidal rapids and
surf in sea kayaks, surf kayaks, and SUP.
Your
involvement makes a difference!
By becoming involved as a mentor, a sponsor, or by
donating to the non-profit organizations, you have a chance to actively
participate in the success of the journey, benefit others, and help empower
those who pursue their vision
We look forward to sharing more specifics about
route, the sail vessel, sponsorship, and opportunities to facilitate/conduct
research, as the project gains momentum, so please keep checking this blog for periodic updates.
nice
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