SUP. For those who don’t know this term it’s short for Stand-up paddle and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I love the water. I grew up a half a block from Lake Washington (in Seattle) and was in the water any chance I got. During the summer months I spent every waking hour at that beach. Throwing rocks, swimming, diving, wind surfing, jet skiing, you name it. If it had to do with the water, I was all over it! I would even sleep outside on my deck just so I could hear the lapping of the water onto the shore. It was so peaceful, and these memories are seared into the noggin’ for life.

Fast forward a million years (ok – clearly not a million, but it seems that way!) and this is when I learned about SUP. When I first saw it, I knew I had to try it! It would be so easy for me! I mean, I windsurfed as a kid and was a gymnast. I had the balance down and my upper arm strength is kinda freaky for my short frame. The funny thing was my first experience on a SUP was for a SUP Yoga class. I don’t even do yoga! My friend invited me and I was all in because, well, the water! I was hooked! From that day forward I started researching boards and renting them when I could. And, for the most part, it really was easy for me. I could pop up no problem and balance like a boss. It’s the damn pivot turns that I need to work on…but I digress.

We ended up buying a small board the whole family could use so it was short and wide. Then my hubby bought a SIC race board that’s 14’ long! I was so jealous and wanted to get on that thing soooooo bad! I did, but keep in mind that I’m only 5’2” so that is a lot of board for me to move around – especially since I was still a rookie. It was so fast and smooth on the water though. So, of course, I had to get my own. I got the same one at 12’6” and I love it!

In 2015 we heard about Round the Rock; a 13-mile paddle around Mercer Island. We were very intrigued so decided to head over to see what it was all about. We watched paddlers come in to shore with everyone giving high fives and throwing the shakas. They were exhausted but their smiles told the whole story. They did it! They finished. And they were stoked about being in a rad community of amazing people. I also met Troy Nebe ker of Mons ter & Sea that year. I had already started following him on Insta because his pics and stories are amazing. I stepped outside my comfort zone and introduced myself. He immediately recognized my name and was so gracious. That’s the kind of community SUP and surf is like. Just a big family that’s stoked to be living it up on the water! We shared some stories and became friends that day. Since then we’ve talked shop, shared our stories and he’s even taught me prone – another water sport! For those that don’t know what it is – you’re on a super skinny board and you’re on your knees, paddling with your arms. Another thing I thought would be easy…my freakish upper arm strength, remember? I had to try! Suffice it to say, I’m sticking to SUP – that’s for sure! 😊

That day, as we left the event, I remember looking at my hubby and saying, “we’re doing that next year!” and he was in complete agreement.

September 17, 2016.

After several days of beautiful weather, we woke up to the grayest skies and rainy conditions a day in Seattle could bring. Really, Mother Nature? Really!? It would have been so easy to stay in bed, cozy and warm with a nice cup of coffee. But, we were committed and we don’t give up.

Weather forecast: Winds were sustained at 20+ MPH with gusts up to 40....the entire time! 🌧🌪 I remember thinking to myself as the horn sounded to start the race, what am I doing? This is insane. But I also remembered what team I was representing (Monster and Sea) and Troy’s tagline and hashtag posted around the world: #gobecauseyoucan BOOM! There’s the mental mindset I needed right then and there to know I could do this.

The race: A couple weeks before this race I finished a 10+ mile paddle on Lake Chelan in 2:40. It took me over 2 hours to make the first 3 miles of the race! We started straight into the wind, in a channel between the Bellevue side and Mercer Island. One word: BURLY!

The SU in SUP became non-existent before I even got to mile 3. It was so windy and wavy that I could not balance my board enough to stay upright. I was pissed. Did I quit? No fucking way! I’m a warrior and a survivor. I was going to figure this out. I was on my knees, my stomach, and on my butt. I flipped off my board more times than I can count. Swimming after my paddle became a part of the race for me. 🏊

This race tested every ounce of my body and most importantly my mind, the all-powerful. I wanted to quit a million times - but I didn't. It was a true test of determination, grit and perseverance. I coached myself out loud many times that day. I was flipped into the water, with no support vessels or other people around countless times. Each time this happened, it took me several tries to flip the board back over because each time the 3-foot swells would flip it back on my head. I was under the board and swimming out from under to try again....and again...and again.

Photo credit: Destination 360 for Race Around the Rock 2016

When you’re all alone because you’re dead last you can easily get scared. Your brain takes over and you can panic. I was scared. I was panicked. But then, something came over me. A sense of calm and confidence. My mind was not doing me any favors by having those negative thoughts, and they were MY thoughts. I knew this lake like the back of my hand. I had spent more time in this water than I could ever recount. When I finally got to the other side of Mercer Island, I saw Seward Park and that’s when it really hit me! Mom was right there with me and coaching me along. She also grew up on this lake and learned how to swim at the very view I was looking at. She became a champion of so many swim meets in this area that it will take another post to talk about. For this post, know that she was with me. I felt her presence. I heard her voice. My mind, then, became calm and confident. She was the one who taught me that “Can’t” is never an option and it’s a very bad word. So never, ever say it. PREACH MAMA!

I didn't get to cross the finish line that day. Certainly, not for lack of trying! That’s for sure. It was a total bummer because I was so close. Yet, by the time the support vessels and police came cruising by telling me I had to hop on to their boat, I’d been in the water over 4 hours. The weather conditions were continuing to get worse by the minute, so they had to round the last few paddlers up for safety reasons. I really understood this when I looked at my Garmin GPS tracking after the race. It showed that I had been pushed a half a mile the opposite direction I was supposed to be going once the police boat said to wait while the support vessel came to pick me up. Talk about a hamster on a wheel!

The lesson: For the first-time racing, in some of the worst possible conditions to paddle in, I was very proud of myself that I never gave up. Never. Gave. Up. In life we are constantly presented with challenges that will test every ounce of our strength, courage and ability. You will want to talk your way out of it. You will want to quit. You will want to say “I can’t!” But you know what? Those are YOUR thoughts and you’re the only person that can change them to say I WILL do this. I WANT to finish. I HAVE what it takes. I CAN do this. Those are power words, friends. POWER. The magnitude of a word can either light you up or bring you down. It’s your choice, every time. The next time you are presented with a challenge, how will you train your mind to say I CAN?

//KT

Extra Inspo + Actions

A TRUE TEST OF DETERMINATION, GRIT AND PERSEVERANCE.