B.C. man hopes to set record for Georgia Strait crossing on stand-up paddleboard | 24CA News
A B.C. man is making an attempt to set a brand new Guinness world report for quickest crossing of the Georgia Strait on a stand-up paddleboard.
Jerry Zhang, a former architect, is hoping to finish the crossing in simply 13 hours.
He began the journey on the Oak Bay Marina at 6 a.m., with the purpose of reaching Tsawwassen Beach, 80 kilometres away, by 7 p.m. Wednesday.
“It would mean everything,” Zhang stated of doubtless setting a report for the crossing.
“Especially since I am not a professional athlete. I don’t have a athletic background. I come from an architectural background, so to be able to achieve something like this is really something.”
Zhang stated he accomplished the crossing in a two-day interval two years in the past, and is now stepping out of his consolation zone within the hope of inspiring others to do the identical.
He stated he expects the hassle to be a “mental challenge” and that he’s crossing his fingers that the wind and climate situations will cooperate.
While he’ll be alone on the paddleboard, Zhang gained’t be alone on the water. He’s assembled a 10-person help group that may doc the crossing and shadow him on the water.
“The biggest challenge is not breaking the record, but how to control yourself, not be afraid. We know this is going to be a very tough journey,” stated Catherine Chen, Zhang’s help boat coordinator.
“Jerry told me, ‘Catherine, I am not going to worry about the first eight, nine hours — the last two hours is going to be the most challenging part. Because at that point I will be already exhausted.’”
Despite the troublesome psychological job, she stated Zhang has been coaching all out for six months and is prepared for the problem.
She and the group may also be there to provide him any additional enhance he wants, she added.
“We’re going to be the energizer,’ she said. “And whenever Jerry needs some spirit we are there. We’re going to cheer for him, we are going to support him.”
Zhang, who has left a 15-year profession in structure behind to concentrate on watersports and the outside trade full time, stated he hopes his try will present others that something is feasible.
“Every time I’m in the office I’m just thinking about wanting to be on the water and be outside,” he stated.
“Now I am just passing on the torch so to speak, I want to inspire more people.”
As for what comes subsequent, Zhang is already pondering massive after perusing the varied paddleboard titles up for grabs on the Guinness World Record web site.
“They also have a Bering Strait title unclaimed so far,” he stated. “So maybe that will be my next goal.”
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