Date: 07/03/2023

Time: 30-60 minutes

So it's been a week since the "Crossing for CF" event that I attended and volunteered at. It was one of the most amazing events I've ever been part of. My friend Steven Rodriguez and his team from Colorado were doing the actual crossing.

See all about the event at crossingforcf.com or follow them on FB and Insta.

I have been so stoked and knew that this was something I would like to train for and do. The odds that my old crippled and arthritic feet can stand up to a 15 hour crossing from Bimini are pretty slim, so I would likely do it in an ocean kayak or maybe even attempt it on the paddleboard by sitting or on my knees. Maybe some combination of the different positions.

So, today was the first day out on the water on the paddle board since the event in Florida. I still struggle to keep balance when standing. Alot of that could be my arthritic feet. I basically have no cartilage in my toe joints so my body has learned not to use my toes for much balance. But on the paddle board you basically need to grab the board surface with your toes. The board constantly goes from side to side. But today I tried a new technique. I did my best to keep my knees as locked as possible and let my hips absorb the "off balance" movements. That helped right away. It also wore me out very fast. Maybe I was doing it correctly this time. I was able to paddle efficiently and keep myself from almost falling in the water every few seconds. Who knows. I'm sure an expert would tell me what to do to improve things.

So today I did some standing but also alot of time spent up on my knees and sitting back on my calves. I could likely do that combination, but can this 58 year old so that for 15 hours or so and maybe with rough seas? Who knows.

But today was the first day of training. Thanks to my dear friend Michelle for going out with me and for letting me use her place to get in the water.

Here are some photos from my first time out on the board with my bro Zac. Oh, but first, some images from the Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis 2023 in Lake Worth, Florida.

My friend Steven and his team on the podium.