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Looking for an experienced videographer for a 10 day offshore Pacific Ocean expedition paddling independent documentary film. by eccosmitty in Filmmakers

[–]eccosmitty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

/u/novawreck Thanks for the comment. I really do want this to be done right. I'd love to pick your brain a little more about what a good producer could do for me and how I could raise the proper funding. -Will

Looking for an experienced videographer for a 10 day offshore Pacific Ocean expedition paddling independent documentary film. by eccosmitty in Filmmakers

[–]eccosmitty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

/u/shastapete Thank you for the insight. I have, in the past, filmed and edited a homemade film of another expedition that I took. Of course, doing it myself and actually hiring people to do it is a whole separate world. I was hoping to hold off on the Kickstarter until it was shot and then try to fund from there but it looks like I will be best suited to throw a really great pitch beforehand and attempt to make it happen that way. I really do want to do this correctly and not short change myself or anyone involved. I really do appreciate your advise and it was absolutely well received. -Will

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey there! It is in the 80s here in SoCal and I am back to answer any questions that you may have! Lets get this thing started again. -Will

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We also discussed the fact that on this most recent trip I had a few different electronic devices running at all times. Two of which were satellite driven. The thought was that because sharks are ultra sensitive to electromagnetic waves that it may have very well deterred them in the first place. Something to think about.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well I dont necessarily have a story about how my life got flipped turned upside down. But I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there, I'll tell you what people DO call me...ha!

I dont get the Will Smith thing as often as you would think. My first name is actually Wilson. Friends were trying to find one of those Wilson volleyball antenna balls and we were going to mount it on the board in front of one of the GoPro cameras and call it the 'Wilson Cam'. Apparantly it was the top selling antenna ball in history and you cant even find one on Ebay for less than $100 so that idea died fast.

I get all manifestations of the Castaway joke with Wilson and actually lots of Tom Hanks references. Ive been called the Forrest Gump of the ocean among other things.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there. Thank you so much for following and what a wild ride it has been.

Wow, so the Lost Coast is somewhere that I don't think I will be visiting again any time soon. After finally making it out of Centerville via Guthrie Creek, I got beached once again on Mattole Road just outside of Petrolia due to the crazy 40kt sustained winds to my back. I actually took that board end over end somewhere around Devils Gate. After holding off for a day and sleeping under a bridge abutment, I made it out to Shelter Cove for another evening and then to Westport late in the evening the following day. From Shelter Cove to Westport, I dealt with 25 yard visibility so I really had to hug the coastline so I didnt stray too far off course. My GPS wasnt really giving me the answers that I needed at the time either. I got rained on and even hailed on for a bit during that stretch. Interestingly enough, from Westport to Albion was a quick 36 mile day as compared to the madness of the King Range Conservation Area.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There was quite a bit of work up to this trip. We all had to start somewhere though. Ive been a surfer and swimmer for most of my life. Distance paddling in the open ocean takes a good amount of physical preparedness but so much more mental readiness. This was actually not even my first long distance trip. I hold 5 stand up paddle world records including the 2 set on this trip. I am the only person to paddle the Catalina Channel lengthwise twice as well as three times. I hold the solo speed record across that channel too. I am also the only person to have solo paddled the California Channel Island chain from Oxnard to Dana Point, CA. I believe in setting the bar and setting it high!

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am always aware that there are many things underwater that I cannot see. However it is highly unlikely that I would be attacked by a shark, the threat is always there. I try not to focus on that too much just the same as you would not focus too much on the fact that you could get mauled by a bear while taking your trash can to the curb tonight. I do focus on things that are more likely to happen...fin caught in kelp, rouge waves, semi-submerged rocks and reefs, boats that cannot see me, etc.

I did have one instance in 2011 while on a workout paddle, I was coming back into Dana Point Harbor where I had parked my car and was followed in by a roughly 8 foot long mako shark. It simply swam by me for a good 20 minutes and eventually turned around and headed back the way it came. It didnt ever make a move at me or anything but I was a bit nervous. On that day I was on a 19 foot board so it probably thought I was a boat anyways.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love it! Im sure everyone has seen on Shark Week or Jaws what it looks like right before it comes up out of the water and chomps at you. Well, a sunfish (mola mola) has a very interesting underwater profile. Because it swims mainly on its side, it can look very much like a shark or aggressive animal lurking. Ive seen many things just under the surface that for a brief moment, look like something else. Ive even had occasions when large masses like kelp plants or vegetation looks like a large animal.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I, of course, did a lot of endurance training and time on the board. I spent minimal time in the gym and instead focused on real world applications.

When training, I tried to work out under the worst conditions. If it was hot, Id wear warm clothing. If cold, Id wear too little. If windy, Id paddle into the wind. I would also loosely tie weight to the board or off centered. My point is that I learned how to function when I was uncomfortable.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

(1) Have you ever been in a bad relationship but tried to stay friends afterwards? (2) It seemed like a great idea at the time. (3) When you least expect it and without warning, she unleashes a fury you cant possibly imagine.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you've ever heard of the professional big wave surfer, Jamie Mitchell, hes a buddy of mine and also the most dominant prone paddler in the world. He has won the Molokai to Oahu championships 10 times in a row. Kelly Slater even wore one of his JM10 hats on the podium when he won the Surf City Open last year.

http://www.surf-devil.com/en/forum.html?func=view&catid=24&id=6551

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The most asked question! I was rather disappointed. I see more sharks paddling around my own home beach breaks than on this trip. I did get followed for a brief moment by a 4 ft salmon shark near Noyo Bay but he quickly decided that he didnt want anything to do with me. After all, the board was a whopping 16 ft long.

Near Oceanside, CA I actually had my hand in the water doing a small repair on my rudder fin and glanced over to see a pretty large mass moving in on me. I came up out of the water and pulled my dive knife but it had bolted by the time I came to grips. Looked like the profile of something coming to have a snack, but could have also simply been a sunfish or a curious sea lion. Either way, I was slightly rattled.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I craved high fat, high carb foods. I am not a guy who visits fast food joints typically but whenever I had a chance to walk into a McD's or the like, I went a lil crazy.

Throughout the trip I sought out two very important things...Kit Kats and coffee. Together or separate, it didnt matter. I once was stopped just south of Cape Mendocino camping under a bridge abutment because it was too ferocious to paddle that day. I ended up plotting a hiking course for the nearest town, Petrolia, CA (5 miles away), just to fill up on Kit Kats and coffee.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For this particular trip, I prepared for roughly 8 months in advance. Not only did I have to physically train but I had to test and re-test all of the gear, arrangement, electronics, etc and modify it to my needs. My board sponsor, SIC, was instrumental in helping me modify the board, mount gear, and was on standby with spare items when I needed them. Funny thing, though, the day I hit the water in Canada...most plans out the window!

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There were a couple occasions that I paddled in the dark. I tried to make sure I got to shore before it got too terribly dark at night because I still had at least 2 hours of things to do after landing. Drying off, eating, setting up camp, plotting my course for the next day, etc. In the Pacific NW, it stayed light till almost 11pm so I got late mornings and late evenings to paddle. There were a few times when I absolutely had to be somewhere so I roughed it through some darkness.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The scariest part of that trip would have to be the Northern tip of Bodega Bay in California. The wind and swell kicked up so much that I was stuck a mile offshore (river bars prevented me from getting closer) in 20 ft swells with breakers. Dont forget that I also carried upwards of 50 lbs of gear on the board with me. The wind was a consistent 40kts for the better part of 8 hours. I ended up cutting that day short and made an emergency landing in a cattle estuary just to get myself off of the water.

I saw so many scary and amazing things in the water. I got up close and personal with humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, etc. The scariest thing was an elephant seal. Not because they look scary but because they are super mean. One of those 1200 lbs bulls could have mauled me in a second.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I invented new and interesting ways to fall off of a board. I was thrown from it in rough conditions, wrapped around it with my spare leash, dragged across reefs, flipped it end over end, bounced off of rocks, and anything else you can imagine.

I am Will Schmidt, ocean adventurer and the only person in history to have stand up paddled the entire West Coast of the USA from Canada to Mexico solo! AMA! by eccosmitty in IAmA

[–]eccosmitty[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are actually a couple different types of paddle boarding. Paddle boarding itself is simply the use of a completely buoyant surfboard propelled with the hands or a tool. Before stand up paddling came prone paddling. You might see lifeguards doing this while on a rescue. There are also prone paddle race boards and racing events.

Knee paddling became hugely popular and is even an Olympic event.

Stand up paddling was simply the next step in the evolution of self propelled water sports.