Paddle for a Cause (Mental Health)

Many of you that know me through paddling know that I am always up for a challenge. Last year I decided to challenge myself with paddling a  part of the South Eastern Coast of NZ to raise money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. That paddle taught me a lot about myself and my mental conditioning. In short it made me realize that I’m a lucking one- what I mean by that is I have developed mechanisms over the year to help me handle stresses in my life, I have an outlet (paddling, surfing) a way to push my limits and know my capabilities and people who support me while I do it. 

Many of us aren’t that lucky, and I wasn’t always! Having a long list of head injuries, I learnt quickly what it meant to be anxious, to feel ‘down’ and to not think I had many options, that life was closing its doors.
Camp My Way connects with first responders from all over the world to healing in a safe and natural environment. Sharing their tools that they learnt through lived experiences. The impact of helping share tools with just one individual has the ability to ripple out to a larger scope. ( www.campmyway.com for more information)

We all know this year hasn’t been easy for anyone, and that is why it is so important to provide doors and options for people who need it. This March (9th or 10th) I will be paddling from Mill Bay, BC around Salts Spring Island and back to Mill Bay  
This years will be more challenging, as the location is more exposed, has a tidal current (that requires proper timing) & it is way colder here in Canada (with less light).