Miami Watermen Attempt First Ever Crossing of Gulf Stream on Stand-up Paddleboards

Bimini-Miami Blue Water Challenge to Raise Awareness for Surfrider Foundation's Rise Above Plastics

MIAMI BEACH, Fla.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--

“Nothing of this scale has ever been attempted before, much less successful, so we really are pushing the limits of the sport…”

WHAT:	Watermen Bill Whiddon and Thaddeus Foote, will make the first ever attempt to stand-up paddle (SUP) across the Gulf Stream, from Bimini, Bahamas to Miami, to raise awareness for Surfrider Foundation’s Rise Above Plastics campaign to reduce plastics in the ocean.
	The Bimini-Miami Blue Water Challenge marks the launch of a grueling 17-hour, non-stop adventure taking paddle boarders 48 miles across the deep blue waters of the powerful Gulfstream current armed with only a board, a paddle, and their wits. The intrepid paddlers will endure one the earth’s most powerful oceanic currents, exposure to shifting weather conditions, extreme isolation, and all the risks of open ocean navigation in order to reach their destination. Whiddon & Foote will be the first to attempt to stand-up paddle across the Gulf Stream.
WHEN:	The weather-dependent window is June 3 - 10, 2012. The athletes will depart Bimini and continuously paddle from 3:30 AM to approximately 5:30 PM.
WHERE:	The crossing will start in Bimini, Bahamas and land on Miami Beach (approx. 3rd Street) where they will be celebrated by Surfrider Foundation volunteers.
WHY:	By completing this journey, Whiddon and Foote hope to raise awareness of the impacts that discarded plastics are having on the world’s marine environments. The Surfrider Foundation Miami Chapter is an official partner of the crossing and is fighting the proliferation of marine plastics through its Rise Above Plastics (R.A.P.) campaign. R.A.P. is aimed at increasing the rate of plastic recycling and reducing the release of waste into the oceans. Take action at http://florida.surfrider.org/campaigns/flrap.

Whiddon, a creative director, and Foote, an environmental educator, both grew up in Miami and are passionate about water sports and coastal conservation.

“Nothing of this scale has ever been attempted before, much less successful, so we really are pushing the limits of the sport…” stated Whiddon.

“This crossing is a great opportunity to highlight the impact that plastics are having on our world’s ocean and how our actions, as a society, can make such a big difference,” said Foote.

C4 Waterman, www.c4waterman.com, a Hawaii-based adventure sports equipment company, is supporting the crossing by supplying the paddlers with the innovative X-Wing paddle. C4 is also outfitting the paddlers from head-to-toe in their new line of performance apparel. Planning a unique SUP expedition? C4 is always seeking new adventures.

Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches. Local Miami Chapter www.surfridermiami.org efforts include lobbying for the enforcement of litter laws, beach dune restoration and K-8 environmental education.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Thaddeus Foote at [e-mail].

Note to Editors: Hi-resolution photos available upon request.