On August 18, 2016, I fulfilled a 10 year dream of paddling solo across Lake Simcoe by sea kayak. Paddled from Innisfil Beach Park to Beaverton via Georgina island. About 2 hours into my paddle I saw rain clouds on the east side of Lake Simcoe. "I don't remember seeing this in the forecast!".
I wasn't scared as I had worked out all my exit strategies hundreds of times in my head, on Google Maps and paper. I had been caught in wind storms on Lake Simcoe, Lake Ontario, Georgian Bay, in the fjords of the Saguenay River,... My only fear was adding the word "fear" to my vocabulary. And that didn't happen. My focus was not just the other side, but appreciating being out there.
Those who succeed always use the tools, the abilities they have, not what they wish they had.
Note: There were many reasons for paddling solo: honour my grandparents and parents for moving to Canada, show my adult daughter what she already knew - you can do anything you set your mind to (and does), pay homage to the Ojibway people as they were the first, and to remember those who cross large bodies of water (Pacific Ocean,Timor Sea, the Meditarranean...) in search of a safer place to live.
A solo is always with the gift, the support of others, past and present.
