This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
thelog.com A 1,400-mile journey


Will Schmidt completes SUP trip from Canada to Mexico


By Ambrosia Brody


DANA POINT — On Saturday, July 26, veteran and standup paddleboarder (SUP) Will Schmidt completed the most lengthy and demanding SUP trip of his career when he paddled across the San Ysidro-Mexico water border. The act signified the end of a 1,400- mile trip that began in Canada on May 24.


Initially scheduled to be finished by


July 4, Schmidt’s trip ran longer than anticipated due to fickle weather con- ditions. “There were days when I would get


out there and it [the weather] would kick my butt,” Schmidt said. “I got stuck in river bars some days or the windy conditions would be so bad and I’d have to wait it out. It was a bit of a challenge along the way.” Each unique coast posed various challenges for the veteran to overcome. “Every state had its own thing to


deal with,” he said. “In California there were windy conditions and steep swells.” The trip marked Schmidt’s third successful long distance SUP ride. Schmidt’s first trip, “Stand Up Paddle Against Depression: A Personal Journey,” took him on a 45.2-mile trip from Avalon Harbor to Dana Point where he rode out 4 to 6 foot swells. His second trip began in Oxnard and ended in Dana Point. The 320-mile paddle took him through the five inner Channel Islands. His most recent journey was designed to inspire those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He has raised more than $8,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that raises awareness and provides assistance to those wounded during their time in the service. On his trip, Schmidt often relied on


Good Samaritans to offer him rides to hotels or provide him with a place to rest for the night. He also camped out on beaches and at one point in a sea cave along the coast of Oregon. “People were so receptive to what I was doing,” he said. Magellan supplied Schmidt with the


Explorist GPS system and he also had a solar power charging device to allow him to fuel the system. Fans and friends were also able to track him on his website. Once dropped off at the Canada


water border by a sportfishing boat, Schmidt followed the course from the Canada water border to Cape Flattery, Coos Bay, Half Moon Bay, Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and the Columbia River with the final stop in Mexico. He had care packages waiting for him at desig- nated stops along the course. Schmidt does not plan to end his


44' SWAN MKII 2002


Frers design, two staterooms, two heads. Sloop rig, electric halyard winch, custom bow sprit, Xantrex in- verter, watermaker, fresh water heads. Located in Ma- rina del Rey. $395,000. Ask for TODD RITTENHOUSE.


Marina and Brokerage office: 2101 West Coast Highway Newport Beach, CA 92663


35' CARVER MOTORYACHT 1997


Two ensuite staterooms plus convertible galley dinette. Enclosed aft-deck with wing doors. Radar, auto pilot, chart plotter, 8kw generator. Exceptionally low hours. $99,000. Ask for WILLIAM PALMER.


www.ardelOpen Monday - Saturday 9 to 5l.com 30' CANTIERE SERENELLA 1987


Authentic Venetian water taxi built in Italy. Compart- ment seating for 6, Volvo Diesel engine, fully varnished wood interior and exterior, sink and fridge, full water- line custom cover. $159,000. Ask for MASON STARING.


T: 949-642-5735 F: 949-642-9884 yachts-ca@ardell.com


92' SALTHOUSE 1994


Pilothouse cruising sloop. Designed by Nelson Marek, aluminum construction. Refit in 2005. Three state- rooms plus crew. New sails, rudder and electronics in 2012. $1,400,000. Ask for TOM CORKETT.


83' ENERGYTECH MARINE HDX NEW BUILD


First full hybrid superyacht. Unique combination of sail, diesel electric, battery electric and jet drive propulsion. Four staterooms, two crew. $6,750,000. Ask for WILLIAM PALMER.


73' CUSTOM POWER CAT 1995


New Zealand built, composite / fiberglass construc- tion. Twin 600hp MTU’s, 2,000+ mile range, 27’ beam, three staterooms. Located in Santa Cruz, CA. $1,100,000. Ask for JIM ELLIOTT.


paddles anytime soon and foresees another long-distance race in his future. For more information on Will Schmidt, visit areyouinspiredyet.com.


Will Schmidt battled various weather conditions during his trip from Canada to Mexico waters. The Dana Point resi- dent completed his 1,400 mile journey on July 26 at the San Ysidro-Mexico water border.


The Log • Aug. 29 - Sept. 11, 2014 • 5


72' FERRETTI 1998


Powered by 1,150hp MTU diesels. Cherry wood inte- rior. Novurania tender. Four staterooms, four heads. Lo- cated in Marina del Rey. $1,095,000. Ask for MASON STARING.


68' NORDLUND


Major refit in late 2013 including electronics, stern thruster, wireless controller, granite countertops, inte- rior soft goods, galley appliances and LP topside paint. $795,000. Ask for DENNIS MORAN


65' PACIFIC MARINER 2005


Raised pilothouse, 1,450 original engine hours, cov- ered aft deck, hard top flybridge. Three staterooms plus crew. Stabilized, bow thrusters. Located in Long Beach. $995,000. MOTIVATED. Ask for JIM ELLIOTT.


58' WEST BAY SONSHIP 1997


Flybridge, walk-around decks, three staterooms. 6V-92 diesels, 625hp, 2,100 hours. Bow thruster, water- maker, stabilizers, 14' Novurania. Custom teak floor- ing. $575,000. Ask for TOM CORKETT.


49' JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 2005


Original owner, never chartered, 565 engine hours, professionally maintained. Three staterooms, two heads, dual helm stations, inverter, LED lighting. $299,950. Ask for DENNIS MORAN.


48' GRANDY MARLINEER 1963/2010


Major refit over a two year period. Custom fabrics, LP paint, new mahogany interior. Double planked ma- hogany hull refastened, electrical system overhauled. $199,000. Ask for TODD RITTENHOUSE.


AT OUR MARINA


AT OUR MARINA


AT OUR MARINA


Photos courtesy of Will Schmidt.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52