In July 2009, I was stoked to end up in New York to cover the SEA Paddle. I had been speaking with legend, Darrick Doerner over the phone and email and arrived in New Jersey on race morning really weary from the previous day’s travels to the East Coast. I worked like a 50 hour week that week, showed the Stand Up Project Trailer at the Beach Shorts Film Fest till about 10:30 and by 3:30am was sitting at LAX waiting to fly to Jersey. By 6pm est, I was sitting in my hotel room polishing Go Pros and lenses. It was a LONG freaking day.
By morning I was standing at Liberty Landing looking for Darrick Doerner. Never in my wildest dreams a year ago, would I imagine myself in this crazy position. I immediately recognized Darrick. I have learned to find these guys solely by their presence. Darrick has the same presence that I found in Gerry Lopez. A very surreal, peaceful, feeling. Almost like you have known them forever. Darrick is no exception. He is a kind, gracious, passionate guy.
As we crossed the channel from Jersey to New York, the crew from Idol Maker Productions (who were shooting for Darrian Boyle) commented to me (after learning that I had only been to New York one other time) “yea, that over there is the giant green thing people come to check out” (the Statue of Liberty). It was going to be a day full of humorous tour notes. On another occasion, I felt a tap on the shoulder and was told “yep, over there is where they dismantle all of the old subways”. And on another occasion they yelled out “look! a tire! maybe we can come up with three more and get a full set!”. The fellow media on our boat was a cast of characters and perfect companions for the eight hour paddle
I never realized that we would be floating into some really woodsy areas. There are actually some remarkable parts of the island.. The other thing I immediately noticed was the current. Darrick even commented to me “I do not want you in the water, the current is really strong. And if you end up in the water, cover your mouth. I do not want you swallowing the water”. Well, at the half way point, I needed to change out Darrick’s Go Pro. He offered to bring his board on deck, but I have to admit to wanting to jump into the water and do the change out on his board. I felt it would be “cool” WRONG- always when I feel that something is going to be “neat” it ends up a disaster. So as I was drifting in the current on Darrick’s Paddle Surf Hawaii board with no paddle towards a bridge – I knew I was in trouble. A small rescue was initiated with the Jet Ski that had just come back to life. The result, one Go Pro got a bit of the East River on it. And I spent the next 10 minutes saying “I am so sorry”. And that my friends, is the fun of guerrilla production.
We got everyone into the harbor at World Trade Center OK- but the next problem was what to do with all of these paddlers and boards in a harbor where Yachts were trying to get in and out. Another logistical nightmare ensued.
The after party at liberty landing was truly a celebration. But for me, a quiet moment with Max, founder of the Best Day Foundation, a beneficiary of the paddle really put things into perspective…
Max traveled from Santa Cruz to be in the event. He started his charity when he felt he needed to do something to help people. He left a good job and struck out on his own to create The Best Day, a organization that takes challenged children into water sports. As he told me stories of kids they have helped, I started to tear up. These guys are miracle workers. We struggled to snag pictures of the Manhattan skyline on the ferry from Liberty Landing to the city. When I got to my friend’s place in Manhattan I looked at the pictures and the faces of everyone paddling. I thought of Max. Of the kids that would be helped by what just happened. Not just of Max’s group, but the Autism charities that are being helped. I felt tears well up. Maybe if our video from this makes a difference and adds one more paddler to the event next year, then perhaps the 17 hours of weary travel between coasts was worth it. Maybe the Stand Up Project is fulfilling that one dream I have always had for it. To make a difference. Isn’t that, after all everyone’s dream?
Someone once told me that when someone helps someone else, that three people are helped. The giver is being helped as they are feeling the good feeling of giving, the receiver is obviously being helped- but the third person is the person watching this exchange take place. They are helped as they get to witness the power of giving. Sitting on that boat laughing with new friends as the men and women paddled around Manhattan, I was that witness. With each stroke- someone, somewhere was being helped. Thanks to Darrian Boyle and to Darrick Doerner for giving me the gift of witnessing the loving transaction of giving. (also for pulling me out of the east river- that could have been really bad!)
