Get ready for an epic adventure on the waters of Lake Ontario! Due to a high wind forecast, a revised date has been set for the courageous trio of Jeff Guy, Joe Lorenz, and Kwin Morris, who will be embarking on an extraordinary journey across Lake Ontario on stand-up paddleboards. Mark your calendars for June 8, as the adventurers set out to conquer their final leg of a remarkable eight-year quest to paddle all five Great Lakes.
Having already triumphed over Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Erie, Guy, Lorenz, and Morris are gearing up for their ultimate challenge. Departing from Humber Bay Park at approximately 7 a.m., they will be met with breathtaking views of the Toronto skyline as they embark on a 65-mile round trip. Their goal is to touch the shores near Niagara-on-the-Lake and Fort Niagara in New York before paddling back to Toronto. Weather permitting, the journey is expected to take approximately 24 hours, culminating in a triumphant return to Bluffer’s Park Public Boat Launch.
Last year’s attempt was thwarted due to safety boat commitments falling through, but this year the team has enlisted the expertise of Orange Force Marine Ltd., a reputable Canadian commercial marine services company based in Port Stanley, Ontario. With Orange Force Marine providing invaluable on-water safety support, the trio is confident they will achieve their goal during the designated weather window of June 7-14.
Undoubtedly, the weather presents the greatest challenge to these adventurers. As Joe Lorenz explains, “Headwinds, chop, and crosswinds are all elements we are accustomed to dealing with.” Nevertheless, they remain undeterred, determined to overcome any obstacles in their way.
Beyond their incredible feat, Guy, Morris, and Lorenz have founded a non-profit organization called Stand Up for Great Lakes. Their mission extends beyond personal achievement, as they have already raised over $80,000 for various Great Lakes non-profit organizations. This year, they aspire to raise $25,000, with all funds dedicated to Stand Up For Great Lakes, an organization committed to safeguarding the Great Lakes Basin. Specifically, they aim to support the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR), a non-profit based at the University of Michigan that conducts vital research on algal blooms and other critical issues affecting the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Mary Ogdahl of CIGLR emphasizes the significance of their work, stating, “Lake Ontario faces coastal flooding and water level issues, for which we are developing experimental models to prepare coast communities for future flooding.” By raising awareness and garnering support, Guy, Lorenz, and Morris hope to combat pressing environmental concerns such as microplastic pollution, a pervasive issue threatening the lakes and the organisms that inhabit them.
To make a donation or obtain further information, visit StandUpForGreatLakes.com and follow the team’s exciting journey on Facebook.com/StandUpForGreatLakes and Instagram.com/StandUpForGreatLakes. Additionally, be sure to catch the award-winning documentary chronicling their courageous crossings of Lake Superior and Lake Erie.
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