LAKE TAHOE CROSSING: Skiers and others paddleboard to benefit Foundation
Photos: L. Claxton and Court Leve
On August 11, 2008, a handful of pro skiers, surfers, and snowboarders participated in the crossing of Lake Tahoe via Paddleboard to benefit the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The fundraiser provided funds and awareness for Iraq and Afghan war vets that have sustained traumatic brain injuries.
One month before the fundraiser, I received an e-mail from my friend in Tahoe, Hunter Claxton, asking if I wanted to participate in a fundraiser. I thought he said we were paddle ‘boating' across the lake. I figured it would be a good pedal across the lake, no big deal. Fast forward one week prior to the event, and I get another e-mail from Hunter with the press release attached. All of a sudden, heavies like Big Wave surf legend/icon Dava Kalama, Jonny Mosely, Daron Rhalves, Jeremy Jones, JT Holmes, Rob Gaffney, et al are all making an appearance. And I'm thinking, "Wow, lots of rad dudes ready to paddleboat." Then I read further into the press release and it's talking about paddle'boarding'. And standing up and all that Standing up? Paddleboarding? So here I thought I was going to pedal across the lake in a funny little bike/boat contraption.
In the Reno airport, a huge picture of Lake Tahoe lines the wall, and my jaw dropped when I realized just how big it was. I rolled to the lake, tried one of the paddleboards the day before the crossing for 10 minutes. Ready to roll. What lake? Twenty-two miles? Piece of cake. I was stoked because I realized there were a few other ‘rookies' besides myself. And word spread that I thought I was going to be paddleBoating rather than boarding. A bunch of dudes were like, "Hey Julian, where's your paddleboat?" Very funny.
The day of the crossing, we all gathered at the south end of the Lake before sunrise. Twenty-seven boards were laid out, 27 dudes ready to roll. It was an absolutely beautiful day--no wind, blue skies, perfect temperature. When we set off, we couldn't see the other end of the lake. I could see the earth bend and that's about it. The majority of the time you would be bullshitting with whomever was nearest to you telling stories, jokes or whatever to pass the time.
We had five support boats to hook us up with water and food and to heckle us paddlers. Plus, there were film teams on all the boats. David L. Brown, an multi-Emmy award dude, and his team are making a documentary of the event.
At about the four-hour mark I could see our destination. LAND-HO! But it was still three hours away. Even though we had 27 people paddling and support boats, every once in awhile you would end up by yourself, no one around for miles, no shore around for lots of miles. Really cool feeling. Did you know Lake Tahoe is 1,600 feet deep? I didn't.
I felt good all day long, but the last couple miles I was feeling it a little. My feet were sore, and my big toes were numb. My back, lats, traps, shoulders, core, stomach, hip flexors, ass, hammies, calves, hands, just about everything was feeling it.
One thing that motivated me was the fact that I was able to keep paddling. Many of the Vets not only don't have the physical ability to be active, many have lost the cognitive skill set required to be active. I was lucky to have this opportunity to challenge myself.
When we had the last half-mile remaining, everyone posted up and waited for the whole group to get together so we could roll into the finish line together.
That night Dave Kalama showed a screening of his new surf movie at a restaurant they rented out and then we got our party on. Aside from the paddle itself, it was great to meet and hang out with some very cool people. I was very honored to have been invited. The next morning after the paddle/party, it felt as though I had cart wheeled violently down a 2,000-foot face. My entire body was so sore. All good, though.
To learn more check out the Bob Woodruff Foundation at remind.org.
