Schmidt Breaks 5 SUP Records, Raises Charity Donations

In seven days, Will Schmidt of Laguna Niguel broke five standup paddle records by touching the five inner Channel Islands before paddling back to Dana Point.

Schmidt did it for the Wounded Warrior Project. He was particularly concerned about raising awareness for veterans like himself who have suffered from depression following their service.

Here is a more detailed account of his journey, courtesy of Schmidt:

Southern California Lifestyle SUP Athlete, Will Schmidt, completes a record setting 7 day, 220 mile solo open ocean stand up paddle challenge. Escorted by a 34' Catalina sailboat, "Campbell's Sloop", his journey launched from mainland California in Oxnard and navigated to touch all five inner California Channel Islands. Schmidt traveled from Channel Islands Harbor to Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Is, Santa Barbara Is, Cat Harbor on Catalina Is, San Clemente Is, then back to Avalon on Catalina Island before paddling into Dana Point Harbor. On this island hopping adventure, all five inner channel islands were physically landed upon (one twice for a total of 6 island landings), 7 channels crossed, and 220 statute miles traversed solo and consecutively with 14' Infinity stand up paddleboards, and SUP Gladiator pro model fins.

Altogether 5 stand up paddle records were set on this trip. Schmidt became the first person to stand up paddle all inner Channel Islands from shore to shore, the first person to paddle the Catalina Channel lengthwise twice, as well as laid claim to the most miles paddled in the Channel Islands, a record previously held by Karen Wrenn at 150 miles. An unexpected result of this paddle (verified by 3 separate GPS tracking devices) was a Catalina Channel crossing time of 7:47:33 which beats the 14' solo record as well as the all time solo SUP record set by Jared Vargas on an unlimited SUP in 2009 with 7:52:34. The discrepancy between the 3 tracking devices was a mere +- 30 seconds.

Proceeds from his fundraiser will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project to aid in anxiety, depression, and PTSD research as well as Casa Hogar Orphanage in Mexico. Fundraising continues at http://www.gofundme.com/3xjulo as well as linked to Will's website, AreYouInspiredYet.com

For more information, athlete bio, or to schedule an interview please contact Will Schmidt atWill@AreYouInspiredYet.com 

For more information about Infinity SUP and their products and services please contact David Boehne atdave@infinitysurf.com