Dana Point’s Will Schmidt completed a solo stand-up paddleboard journey that stretched from Canada to Mexico. Courtesy photo
Compiled by Steve Breazeale
Dana Point resident Will Schmidt completed the journey of a lifetime on July 26 by completing a 1,386-mile solo stand-up paddleboard trek from Canada to Mexico, which began on May 24.
Schmidt, who has made headlines in recent years for his long distance paddleboard trips, finished the trip in 61 days, according to a press release. Schmidt set out from Neah Bay, Washington near the Canadian/American border and finished at the Mexico border fence in Border Field State Park in Imperial Beach.
Schmidt estimates that he made 1.1 million paddle strokes over the course of 61 days, averaging roughly 28 miles traveled per day. The farthest distance he covered in one day was 42 miles.
Schmidt’s body was put to the test and he says he burned an average of 3,850 calories per day.
Since leaving the U.S. Marine Corps, Schmidt has made it a mission of his to raise awareness for wounded veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. In previous long distance paddles, he has raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project through crowdfunding sites online. His most recent journey from Canada to Mexico has raised $8,000 to date, according to the release.
For more information on Schmidt’s fundraising efforts, visit www.areyouinspiredyet.com.