Enrique (Latino) Paddles From Marco Island to KW For Charity!

[ricki]

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Naples to Key West Crossing:EXTREME PADDLEBOARD ADVENTURE!

April 30, 2012 Naples, FL
Enrique Gianello, Owner of Windstalkers Kiteboarding and Paddleboard is embarking on an epic paddleboard journey from the Naples Pier to Key West, FL. The journey is between 200- 250 miles along coast of Everglades, 30-40 miles per day and will take 6 days. The mileage and exact course will be determined by the weather conditions. On a Jimmy Lewis Searcher paddleboard with only the bare essentials he can carry, this journey will be a true test of Enrique’s survival skills, mental and physical endurance. A journey this distance, on a paddleboard in open water has never been attempted before. Enrique has been planning this expedition for 1 1/2 years.

Four months ago Enrique set the date and and began physically training for this grueling 6 days of paddling in the open water against the elements. He initially lost 30 lbs through diet and exercise and began resistance training with a personal trainer. He focused on gaining muscle and increasing hos endurance.

A journey like this would not be possible without this new innovation in paddleboards by Jimmy Lewis Boards. The Searcher Board’s length, width and girth is large enough to carry Enrique’s gear and to handle wake and chop other boards cannot withstand. Enrique is carrying only the bare essentials such as a fishing rod and grill basket to prepare fresh fish over campfire, protein supplement, granola, dried fruits, dried meat, and 6 gallons of water. He’s also equipped with a machete to cut through mangroves that block his path, knife, solar charger, an android tablet, GPS navigation device, and an Emergency SPOT device.

Enrique’s plan is to paddle 8 hours per day, in 2 hour increments, paddling 2 hrs and resting 1. Each day Enrique will have 14 hour of sunlight to complete his journey. Enrique plans to begin slow, steady and consistent the first 3 days and then increase speed and distance as he approaches Key West.
Approximate Course:
Day1- Begin Naples Pier to Cap Romano near Marco Island
Day 2- Arrive Pavillion Key- West Coast of Everglades
Day 3- Arrive Highland Beach/ Storm Beach
Day 4- Cape Sable, Sunrise FL
Day 5-Big Spanish Key
The Crossing- Enrique will cross the 7 Mile Bridge in FL Keys at sunrise and head toward Key West
Day 6- Smathers Beach, Key West FL

Follow Enrique's Epic Adventure on Facebook. www.facebook.com/windstalkers and find links to track Enrique along the coast during his journey.

Enrique Gianello is Owner of Windstalkers Kiteboarding and Paddleboard. Windstalkers is a full service surf shop located in Old Naples, FL. They offer lessons and equipment in every discipline of surfing from kiteboarding, paddleboarding, skim boarding and more. All instructors are IKO certified. Windstalkers also offers Teen summer camps through Collier County Parks and Recreation.
Windstalkers Kiteboard and Paddleboard
851 1st Ave S Naples, FL 34102 (239) 601 2700

For more information on The Searcher www.jimmylewis.com.
Sponsored By: Jimmy Lewis Paddleboards
Press and Media: To cover this story, for additional photos, or a full recap of the adventure, please contact Gibranna LaCava gibranna@socialbutterflynaples.com


More including a TV interview at:
http://www.winknews.com/Local-Florida/2012-05-02/Naples-man-sets-out-to-paddleboard-from-Naples-to-Key-West

"Along the way, Gianello will be raising money for the Paddleboard Special Olympics which take place this weekend in Naples. "


Go Enrique!


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[ricki]

I just had an update on Enrique's progress, he covered over 25 miles the first day. All speed and success Enrique!

[miamikiteboarding]

in shape Enriquo. impressive ! good luck

[ricki]

Here's an update, Enrique has been hitting it hard for nine days. A number of those days were with a nasty headwind slowing things substantially. He even had to wait out the wind at times. As of an hour ago, he was only about 47 miles from Key West. He was about to paddle along the Seven Mile Bridge below Marathon. Here are some of the many photos from his Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/JE7H6j .


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Enrique training with his wife Kelly for the big run to Cayo Huesto. He is using a Jimmy Lewis, "Searcher" for the run.


I just spoke to Enrique by the Seven Mile Bridge by phone. What an experience and ordeal! I will let him tell his own story in the way he would like in his own time but it has been quite an adventure. He had so many problems, things he didn't anticipate and in reality some that couldn't have been readily anticipated. Constant headwinds, current, lightening storms, folks calling the coast guard, tons of sharks, crocodiles, turning black with legions of mosquitos sucking out his blood and more. Despite all the problems he said it was hard to be derailed by them due to the overwhelming beauty of the 10,000 Islands. Everywhere he looked, the things he saw were incredibly beautiful.

He did conditioning paddles of 30 miles per day in preparation but with the constant headwinds, currents, he figures he can usually do 15 miles per day max in these adverse conditions. "Weather is everything" in this sort of attempt. He had trained with a professional to reduce his normal water intake from 1 to 1.5 gallons per day down to .5 gallon per day. Despite that for part of the crossing he couldn't carry enough water for that leg. He was required to pull seven permits to camp on various islands along the way. If he wasn't permitted to land, he had to stay at least 800 ft. off the islands due to wildlife restrictions.

He was forced to wind wait at Flamingo for three days starting on Friday, May 11. He tried to cross three times, was compelled to stay in the channels otherwise he would ground in the mud. He had to reduce weight on his board to where he physically couldn't carry enough water. Looking at the 10,000 island area below Florida, there are countless sandbars, isolated channels making such a crossing in adverse winds for this section highly infeasible. Eventually after waiting three days and being told it would be another one to two days before the wind would ease by local NWS personnel, he was forced to call for a ride to Key Largo.

He resumed paddling at Key Largo and arrived just north of the Seven Mile Bridge last night. This morning he is starting on the final leg down to Key West over the next two days. Enrique tells me he needs to paddle way offshore, about two miles at least to avoid nearshore currents and excessive paddling. Amazing drive, endurance Enrique, keep at it man, more to come on his story.



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Stopping for the night along the way.



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There were two paddlers initially but a leak in the man's board eventually left Enrique to finish the run to Key West solo.




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In the Keys



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Some of life's necessities spread on a board along the way.



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Enrique on the beach between bouts down the coast to Key West.


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Last night's encampment.


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The northern end of the Seven Mile Bridge.


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About to move below Bahia Honda


Go Enrique!

[ricki]

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Congratulations Enrique, that was an incredible effort, well done. You made it! He is at Smathers Beach on Key West in front of the Sheraton. Enrique owner of http://www.naplespaddleboard.com/ providing SUP, kiteboarding gear and instruction in SW Florida, started this trip on May 6 and arrived on May 16, 2012. Adverse headwinds, squalls, lightening, currents, torrents of mosquitoes, critical water/weight/distance problems in the 10,000 Islands and a good deal more. Despite all this, you did it!


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[ricki]

Just spoke with Enrique and Kellly down in Key West. They were walking down Duval to dinner. He mentioned that he discovered a nude beach last night when he landed to setup his camp for the evening. Some guy with no clothes walked up and put him in the picture?! Didn't think they had any near Key West, well it's the place for it. So, sharks, crocs, squalls, swarms of mosquitoes and guys with no clothes on. SUP hazards in parts of Florida.


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