No Turning Back – #OneIsland A true tale of grit and determination as two windsurfers, Adam ‘Most Awesome Student of the Year’ Chubbock and Jay ‘GlobalShots’ Haysey set out on a mission to SUP around Lekada, Boards find out more…
On the 15th of September 2013, two friends set themselves a challenge they would never forget – to be the first people to Stand Up Paddle board around the Island of Lefkada.
Jay Haysey and Adam Chubbock were planning a Stand Up Paddle Board trip, when the idea came into their heads to circumnavigate the rich and beautiful island on which they had been working for the last four years. As soon as the idea was proposed, the challenge was on and they knew there would be no turning back. This would push themselves and the limits of Stand Up Paddle boarding, as they knew them.
Round the island from GlobalShots on Vimeo.
The pair set off from Club Vass (Vassiliki) at 7am just in time for sunrise, fully appreciative of the testing day ahead of them. Heading up past Sivota and Nidri, the wind began to build, peaking at 20 knots against them as they tackled the east coast. “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that an aeroplane takes off against the wind, not with it”.
Attempting the busy Lefkada channel provided interesting viewing for the numerous yachts in the area and the boys attracted lots of attention.
Adam: For me, going under the Lefkada bridge on a SUP, past the castle and rows of traffic was a surreal experience, and a classic example of how SUPing lets you appreciate the world from a refreshingly different angle.
Crossing the North Beach of the Island on the open sea, the boys passed the half-way point and were digging deep for the long stretch down the west coast.
Jay: For me the exertion of getting round to the west coast was all made worthwhile as the water went to glass and we had a golden two hours of paddling into an epic sunset.
Little did Adam and Jay know that the hardest part of the whole journey awaited them. Aiming for the lighthouse on the southernmost tip of Lefkada, the boys paddled into the night. The swell began to build and bounce off the cliffs, creating some of the most difficult SUPing conditions possible.
Adam: Staying on the board was a struggle in the pale moon light and making ground was slow. This was our most testing time of the whole day. However, the amazing feeling when we turned the corner into the flat water of Vassiliki Bay, made me realise why we take on these challenges. We couldn’t believe we had just paddled around the whole island.
The complete journey encompassed 120km with a total of 16.5 hours of non-stop paddling between them. The boys consumed a large amount of snacks to fuel them through the journey.
Jay: Life is a challenge and it’s not supposed to be easy; the most important thing is to take on the journey and enjoy it.
Jay Haysey and Adam Chubbock are sure that this is only the beginning of their ocean exploration on a Stand Up Paddle Board. Find out where their journey takes them next by liking facebook.com/globalshots.
