Paddle2Live - Paddling together to bring courage, strength and grit to the fight against cancer

Just two years after his cancer treatment, Jack Marshall Shimko, an avid waterman and outdoor enthusiast is ready to embark on his 2nd annual mission to beat cancer through his favorite sport.

 In late August of 2011, Jack will begin his 260-mile ultra-marathon paddle in the open ocean as a Team Duke Athlete to fundraise for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. Jack will depart from Pt. Conception, CA, and plans to paddle 26 miles a day for 10 days, touching all 8 of the Channel Islands before reaching his hometown of Newport Beach.

http://paddle2live.org/

This past weekend I had the opportunity to take part in the 10 mile Elite Stand Up Paddle race to help raise money for the John Wayne Cancer Foundation and to support Jack Marshall Shimko in their goal of raising $1,000,000 towards their fight against cancer.

The view from my truck on the way to the race.

I was up early drank my water, ate my oatmeal, grabbed a cup of coffee, injected 4 units of insulin and was on the road by 6:00 A.M., heading north from San Diego to Newport Beach. I had just reached Dana Point when out of nowhere this unexpected storm, with rain, hail, lightning and thunder burst from the sky!

I had been visualizing and thinking about the race, listening to some Van Halen on the car stereo.  

My plan was to get off to a quick start, paddle hard and fast for the first 2 miles, get to the buoy with the lead pack, once there I could make the turn south and set my pace for the next 4 or 5 miles ensuring a good position at the second buoy turn placed just at the end of the jetty there at the Wedge.

This is when I would begin to hydrate with my Hint Water and mixture of carbohydrate dietary supplement (rapid energy fuel made from natural juices). This strategy would ensure that I keep my glucose levels up, avoiding any unwanted lows.

It was a great plan; I had trained and was feeling good and was ready to go. Then Mother Nature stepped in and decided to throw a little curve ball at me.

This is what it looked like at the beach early before the race, there was rain, thunder, and lightning and of course wind. No excuses though, I am a waterman and need to be prepared for all types of conditions. But I have to admit, it does take a lot more effort to paddle when it’s like victory at sea and there is no consistent swell direction and you’re basically paddling in a washing machine for 10 miles.

No worries, I checked my blood sugar, ate a banana and got some stretching in and got ready to race.

Suzy Strazzulla and I checking out the conditions and talking about the upcoming race.

Some of the racers in the 10 mile Elite class gather around for a pre-race meeting.

This is Mandy McDonnell from the John Wayne Cancer Foundation with the course map.

Here I am with Mark Pighini just prior to the start.

Looking out past the Newport Beach pier towards the horizon the sky is dark and not looking to friendly, I think about Jack Marshall Shimko who is somewhere out there finishing the final leg of his 260 mile paddle down the coast of California and start to realize that this little 10 mile paddle is nothing compared to his battle.

Jack had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and only 2 years after his treatment he was enduring all that a 10 day 260 mile paddle down the coast of California could throw at you.

I have the utmost respect for people like Jack Marshall Shimko. As a matter of fact I have a list of people just like him that have been forced to deal with an unwanted disease or disability and have chosen to stand up and face it head on in an attempt to make a difference.

I’m not trying to compare diabetes to cancer, but as I looked out at the ocean I realize that there is a similarity between what Jack is doing and what I am doing.

We each have something that we want to achieve, something we are aiming for – a goal. We both are people who are giving rise to an action, or a condition – a cause.

I tested my blood sugars one last time and was a little high, somewhere around 250. So I injected 2+ units of insulin thinking that I would be able to manage and level out when I began to replenish with my water / carb mixture.

The start of the 2011 Paddle2Live 10 mile Elite race.

The horn blows indicating the start of the race and I am running through the surf and up on my board as fast as I can.  I reach, set, catch and pull my way through the chop, heading out to the first buoy 2 miles off shore. I try and focus on technique and my plan, knowing that my battle with the oncoming swells and the erratic conditions will test my skills and push my body to its limit for the next 2 hours or so.

I reach the first buoy make the turn and start my paddle south. I fall off my board after being hit by a swell that seems to come from out of nowhere. I get back onto my board as fast as I can and continue to paddle south through the bump and the chop.

I’m forced to paddle on one side for what seems like forever, my left arm is taking a beating. But as I look into the distance I can see other paddlers and they too are fighting the swells and enduring the same conditions.

As I struggle with the conditions, getting mad at myself for not training harder and for not being stronger. I think about Jack, I think about our goals, our cause’s and all those that we are trying to inspire. This gives me the motivation I need and I continue to paddle as hard as I can.

During the 10 mile Elite race Jack completed his paddle from Point Conception to Newport Beach, arriving just north of the Newport Beach Pier. You can see the Virgin Oceanic’s racing catamaran, the 125′ Cheyenne, this was the support boat that accompanied Jack during his 260 mile paddle.

Jack standing on the beach after 10 days of paddling, talk about an accomplishment! Congratulations Jack!

I eventually reach the buoys at the jetty make the turn; I am alone and was on my way to the finish. It was about a mile or so north of the jetty when I ran into a small sail boat regatta. I thought to take the high line around the boats and head North West against the swells, thinking that I could catch a downwind and ride the swells towards the pier and the finish line.

Bad choice, the racers that were behind me took a line in closer to the beach and ended up passing me, reaching the pier ahead of me.

All of this was compounded by the fact that just after I made my turn and started heading back to the pier it seemed like I couldn’t stay on my board to save my life.

I knew that I was not sticking to my plan and I wasn’t drinking my Hint Water / carb mixture.  I suspected that I was fighting with my balance due to the lack of sugar in my system and that I was going hypoglycemic.

But with the adrenalin flowing and the desire to finish on the podium, I wasn’t following my plan. In the end not taking in the right amount of carbohydrate caught up with me.  Trying to push through and not sticking to the plan cost me, I placed 3^rd in the SUP Stk. Class of the Paddle2Live 10 mile Elite race.

After the 10 mile Elite race Mark Pighini and a very worn out me on the beach.

I learned something during this race though and need to implement these lessons in my quest to become a better Stand Up Paddle racer. First, I need to train harder and smarter. Second, I need to stick to my plan. And third, I cannot will myself through this disease.

I have diabetes and need to make the necessary adjustments and listen to my body, recognizing the little things like not being able to balance on my board as maybe being a sign that I’m going low.

But most of all I learned that what I am trying to do as a diabetic regarding Stand Up Paddle boarding and racing is really not for me and my little ego, the medals, awards or the chance to stand on a podium and get my picture tagged on FaceBook.

I Stand Up Paddle and race, trying my hardest every time because I know what it’s like to suddenly be told that you will not be able to do something, or to be afraid of failure and not even try, or what it’s like to face an obstacle and think that I can’t do this.

I paddle because as hard as it is and as hard as it will be, as long as I continue to try and do the best that I can then that is all that really matters.

And if through my struggles and accomplishments in Stand Up Paddle boarding I can inspire or motivate others to get out and face their own obstacles, then I will have achieved the greatest victory of all.

3^rd place SUP Stk. Paul Zacharias 2011 Paddle2Live 10 mile Elite race.

When I finished the race I was angry at myself for not finishing better than I did. My blood sugar was at 68 and I was shaking like a leaf from the cold. But I had tried my best and in the end that’s all that really matters.

God has a plan and though I don’t always agree with it or understand it I need to just accept it. He had me finish right where I was supposed to.

Thanks goes to Jack Marshall Shimko, the Paddle2Live crew and the John Wayne Cancer Foundation who made it all happen.

I also want to thank all of my sponsors for their support in helping me acheive my goal. Hint Water, Kaenon, OnIt Pro, Kinesys, SportMulti, H2O Audio, GoPro, and Indo Board balance trainer.

Aloha!

                                            



GoPro HERO TEAM ATHLETE – HERO Elite 2011

Congratulations! After reviewing your profile and resume, you have been chosen to represent GoPro at the highest level for the upcoming season. You seem to have what it takes to BE a HERO and have the qualities and characteristics we look for in a support athlete.

Sweet deal from GoPro, I look forward to being a HERO for them in the upcoming season!

GoPro produces the famous HD HERO® line of wearable and gear-mountable cameras and accessories, making it easy for people to capture and share their lives’ most exciting moments in high definition. GoPro’s products are sold through specialty retailers in more than 50 countries and online.

http://gopro.com/products/

I'm a diabetic and I wear flip flops......

I grew up wearing flip flops. When I was a kid in the Philippines everyone wore flip flops. I’m pretty sure it was the national foot wear, of course unless you were Imelda Marcos who made international news with the stories about her massive shoe collection. But I bet even she had flip flops. I also lived in Hawaii for almost 5 years on the Big Island, where flip flops or slippas were definitely the norm. I still am not happy unless I have a decent pair of flip flops.

So here’s the gig. When I was diagnosed with diabetes a number of years back the doctors and the diabetes educator’s told me that I could no longer wear flip flops or go bare foot ever again.

O.K., let’s talk about this; I am a surfer, swimmer and pretty much all around beach bum. This was not something I wanted to hear. It was not a big deal when they said, “don’t eat a lot of sweets or drink sodas”.….never have, no big deal that they said “you will have to take snacks with you every wear you go”.…..I like snacks. But don’t wear flip flops? were they out of their minds!

If you Google feet and diabetes or bare feet and diabetes or even just diabetes you will be bombarded by stuff like, diabetics should never wear flip flops, diabetics should always wear protective footwear, even the slightest injury to a diabetic’s foot can cause a wound that is almost impossible to heal.

O.K., I’m all freaked out again. This is real and yes there is truth to this information. But, let’s think about this. If I am taking care of my diabetes and have a reasonable A1C, I eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and I am not suffering from any signs of neuropathy can I then wear flip flops?

I’m not a doctor, but if this is the case with you I suggest you ask your doctor what he or she thinks. And make your own decision based on the facts.

Now here’s my take, I spent nearly 25 years on construction jobsites. And I spent a lot of time playing as a kid and I grew up exercising and eating a healthy diet.

When I was a kid you pretty much went barefoot from the last day of school all through the summer until the first day of school in the fall. And after you have stepped in enough piles of dog poop while running through the yards in your neighborhood you learn very fast to look where you step.

Construction jobsites, there are lots of nails and sharp objects that you learn to avoid stepping on and this is usually done by trial and error. I have had a ton of tetanus shots over the years.

My parents did not allow myself or my siblings to eat junk food or drink soda's. I basically was raised drinking water or milk at dinner and eating lean meat, chicken, fish and a lot of vegetables.

So these were just a few things that prepared me for wearing flip flops as a diabetic, I learned to watch where I stepped. To be aware of what will or could potentially cut, hurt, damage or make my feet smell bad and to eat a healthy diet.

So if you do choose to wear flip flops like I do watch where you step and if you happen to cut your foot, hopefully by exercising and eating a healthy diet you will have improved your circulation and have greatly reduced the odds against the cut not healing properly.

“If you’re faced with an obstacle in your life don’t let it stop you. If you hit a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to get over the wall, go through the wall or find a way around it.”



Summer’s paddle celebration on Alamitos Bay at the LBCSUP Grand Prix

"The secret is out, Long Beach is now becoming a destination for paddlers and water enthusiast,"

Paul Zacharias - 3rd place SUP Stk.

This is an overview of the event in Long Beach, CA. The sun was out and so were the crowds! I can remember doing swims in the bay here almost 20 years ago with the Long Beach City College Water Polo Team. We would swim from one end of the bay to the other and run back along the sand. Coach Hank Vellecamp had us do this over and over. The race today was a little more fun.

Brian Hagg and myself, pre-race photo. Brian is 19 years old and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes about a year or so ago. (I might be wrong on his age and how long he's been a T 1, but I think I'm fairly accurate). Brian is an exceptionally talented stand up paddle racer and SUP surfer, this guy rips and is fast! It just goes to show that even when diagnosed at an early age or in your teens you can still participate in athletics and be competitive. Brian finished 4th in the unlimited division.

The start!

The pack took off and turned left as we began the race around the Island.

I'm right in the middle of this....not my best start.

This is like half way. Billy Kho and I finally dropped those two on the 14's and traded on and off through out the remainder of the race.

Billy finally pulled into the beach and I went around the bouy....smart move on his part. Billy Kho 2nd place, PZ 3rd in the SUP Stk. division.

The finish sprint up the beach! As I look at this photo I'm thinking that maybe I should have paddled harder and finished better than 3rd......cause I obviously have way to much energy left!

Ah! Just chillin' in the water after the race. Cheering on the other competitors as they finished.

Thanks to my sponsors H2O Audio, OnIt Pro, Hint Water, Kaenon, SportMulti, GoPro, Indo Board and Kinesys for your support!

Drinking some of my Hint Water and sporting my Kaenon Guage sunglasses post race. Great event, had an awesome time, can't wait for the next one!

Another day, training and dealing with diabetes.....

I woke up this morning and based on my training was due for an aerobic paddle, 1.5 Hrs. at 70-80%. So I grabbed my 12’6 and headed over to Tidelands Park just across the street from where I live. As I pulled up this is the view that greeted me.  What an awesome morning!

This is the new board bag. It’s an FCS, picked it up from Paddle Surf Warehouse in Dana Point, CA.  http://www.paddlesurfwarehouse.com/    these guys are super helpful and have tons of stuff. They are a Stand up Paddle specific shop.  

Out of the board bag and ready to go! This custom 12’6  Hobie carbon fiber stand up paddle race board  is sweet! It is super-fast and handles pretty much all kinds of conditions.

How awesome is this view? Board and paddle placed down at the water’s edge. There was zero wind and plenty of sunshine! I decided to head out under the Coronado Bay Bridge there in the back ground and head south for 45 minutes and then turn around and come back. An easy 1.5

It was just another epic morning here in Coronado…classic conditions. I couldn’t resist adding another shot….. looking out at the bay.

This is a result of exercise induced hypoglycemia. It was about 2 hours after my training paddle. I had gotten busy running around and let my blood sugars go low…..no worries, I usually eat and/or drink enough right after my paddles so this doesn’t happen. But as you can see I had the goods handy to reverse the effects. I try and reduce my Lantis to counter the effects of exercise induced lows and I reduce my short term insulin amounts prior to any kind of workout by about 50%. This typically works for me, but sometimes the body just does what the body does. 

 The medal I received from my 2^nd place finish in the 10 – mile distance race at the 2011 Tahoe Nalu . It’s the epic conditions and being on the water along with the little things like this that make all the paddling and sometimes the rare exercise induced hypoglycemia  all worth it!

On It Pro - Xtreme cream

On It Pro Xtreme cream is sweet, definately faster than a sanded finish board!

Thanks for making me a part of the  On It Pro Team.

We have a core belief as a company to give something back to surfing and to hold a responsibility to enhance the way we live our surfing lifestyle by being committed to keeping our environment clean and healthy for our children so they can enjoy this beautiful planet the way we have throughout the years! All of our products are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

http://onitpro.com/index.php

OIP Application video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlsmEzLg4-U&feature=share

2011 Hennessey's-WPA World Championship Qualifiers

My name was recently added to the list of qualifying men's paddlers for the upcoming WPA World Championships.

On Sept. 17 the Hermosa Beach Pier in Hermosa Beach, CA will be the site of the 2011 Hennessey’s-WPA World Championships of Paddling. The event will include both SUP and paddleboard divisions and be the first SUP world championship while continuing the Hennessey’s legacy of supporting paddleboarding around the world.

http://worldpaddleassociation.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/2011-World-Championship-Qualifiers_Men1.pdf

I am so stoked to have my name included on this list. It's an honor to be amongst some of the worlds greatest Stand Up Paddle racers in the world!

2011 Ta-hoe Nalu Paddle Festival - 10 MILE DISTANCE RACE - 2nd place SUP Stk.

Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it."

I love that quote, it kind of say's it all. Thing's have not always been as good as they are right now. I am smiling and having fun this morning, the day of the 10 mile distance race. But as a type 1 diabetic I have struggles that alot of the racers don't have to deal with. But that's why kinda why I created this blog, for people that have to deal with obsticales that have been placed in their lives. Don't give up, I know that it may seem really hard and you may feel like every time you try and get up something else knocks you down.....but I believe that when one door closes another one opens.

My life is far from great and I still deal with all kinds of stuff......but you know what? "You gotta keep your head up, and it'll turn out fine"

It's not only about overcoming challenges, sharing dtermination or getting across the finish line, but to try and inspire hope and possibility.....

Focusing on what I need to do during the 10 mile race, visualizing everything from the start to the finish.

The race starts at a little after 9:00 a.m., I was worried about my blood sugar being to high and/or too low. I loaded my hydration system with some water mixed with a carbohydrate type syrup that will dissolve in the water and not settle at the bottom of the reservoir. During races over 6 miles I will typically deplete the glucose in my system, sometimes sooner due to the fact that I'm racing and exerting 90 to 100% of my energy. So I not only have to hydrate, but I also have to ingest carbohydrates or risk bonking....or passing out and, well it's never happened so I don't really know what will happen. (I have bonked during a race, just never passed out).

Little specs on the horizon. That point in the distance is called Dollar Point, the bouy is set just off the point.....just keep paddling, just keep paddling!

I am about a half mile off the beach and have been chasing down the 14's and I am pretty sure that any of the other 12'6 stk. SUP guys are behind me. So I am going for broke trying to catch the 20 year old kid who is also on a 12'6 Stk. and is ahead of me by about one minute.

The wind is picking up and has been blowing at our backs. So I try and do what I call the "Conner Baxter" and it works....holding the paddle like this seems to allow me to turn over a little quicker and gain some speed, wich allows me to catch a few of the bumps!

I am pulling with all that I have left in the tank. The guy on the 14' had been drafting on my tail for like about a mile after I caught and passed him. To have a 14' pull in behind your 12'6 stock and draft off you screws with your head. But I was able to shake him and finish strong!

O.K, the run up the beach and through the finish line...need sugar!

Tahoe Nalu 10 MILE DISTANCE RACE

Kings Beach, CA.

8/14/2011

2nd place SUP Stk.

1:59:47:52 Paul Zacharias M 47 Coronado, CA. Hobie

2011 Ta-hoe Nalu Paddle Festival - 6MI STAND UP PADDLE ELITE 14'

The main event of the year happened this August 13 & 14 on the shores of North Lake Tahoe.

The Main Event of the Year

2 days of events for all ages & skill levels

SUP / Prone / OC 1 Divisions......$ 20,000 i cash & prizes

Learn to Paddle from a Pro - the Ta-Hoe Nalu SUP Experiance

FUN / FAMILY / FRIENDS

Erik Nordskog of On It Pro was hooking the Hobie 14' up with Xtreme Cream, a high performance bottom coating.

Throwing the Shaka prior to race, so stoked to be a part of this event!

Moments before for the start, last couple of words of encouragement with Elite womens paddler Suzy Strazzulla.

Love this Photo...many of which were taken by my good friend and fellow paddler John R. Goodman.

And were off!

This is awesome, we are all bunched together going into the first bouy turn. That is South Lake Tahoe in the distance. Middle of August and there is still snow on the mountains. You gotta love it!

Back on the tail and pullin' hard trying to get the Hobie 14' around the bouy.

Getting ready to set my paddle, feeling the effects of the altitude.

Look at the clarity of the water! I am pulling some water here, trying to catch the guys in front of me. This picture was taken by Kristin Thomas, an increadible WaterWomen. Kristin raced earlier in the 5 mile open race where she took 1st place!

Coming off the last bouy turn and heading into the finish.

As I hit the beach at the finish, no matter what place I am in I always try and finish hard!

That sand is feeling really heavy. And you want to look like it's no big deal...there are hundreds of people watching!

Immediately after the race talking with Suzy. You can see by the look on my face water and air.....good thing.

Me and Talia Gangini. She was right behind me on the 3rd lap and the final lap. I was determined to hold her off and not get passed. Your probably thinking, "come on Paul she only a young girl". Talia just raced in the Molokai 2 Oahu 32 mile paddleboard race last month where she placed 2nd in the female unlimited class! This girl can paddle.

Group photo after the race. This group consists of pretty much the fastest SUP racers in the world, both men and women. I was increadibly lucky to have had the oppurtunity to paddle and race against them in Tahoe.

6 MI. STAND UP PADDLE ELITE 14' RESULTS

22nd place Paul Zacharias M 47 Coronado, CA. 14' Hobie

43:02