I was driving to Prince Rupert today. As usual, it was a gorgeous drive. Not in the "it's-sunny" way. It was actually a low cloud, drizzle day. I guess I was in the moment, thinking about the project, and the new perspective I'll have WHILE I'm floating down the river.
Anyway, while I was driving, I was deep in thought. I've not yet found any cold-hard-cash sponsors, but I have found a better kind of sponsorship. A helping hand, an excited crew, and assistance along the way. Let me explain.
When we had decided we would need to sail across the Hecate Straits, we knew it would be a tough sell. First, we had to find a sailboat operator with the time to take us across, and we needed someone who was excited about this project as we were.
Anyway, I emailed countless Sailboat charter companies, and private operators. The interest was there, but the dates would not work. Many had pre-booked tour routes, and were not anywhere near Prince Rupert at the time we needed to cross. There were some other operators interested, but they either did not have the confidence in getting us across, or it just plain didn't work for them.
So I came up with a plan. Instead of relying on web pages, emails and the Internet to find my captain... I took my scooter down to the docks and tried a more primitive way of soliciting my project. I made a poster. I fielded probably 8 calls by interested operators, and in less than a week I found my sailboat. The captain was extremely keen in taking part. His wife was just as excited in getting involved. In less than a week, they agreed to sail me across, AND even took me on a day sail the following weekend. Working with this kind couple has been a dream.
For the first leg, I originally had planned to bike from Terrace to Prince Rupert. My father-in-law though came up with an even better plan. I would learn that Jude (my wife's) uncle had drift-boated down the Skeena river on a number of occasions, and when he heard about my project, he jumped at the chance to float myself and Marc for the first leg of our trip. All I had to provide was a launch date.
Another major "sponsor" has been a small kayaking company on the Charlottes/Haida Gwaii. "Green Coast Kayaking" is a relatively new eco-kayaking group on the island. They work quite often with the "Moresby Explorers." Jo-anne (or Jo) was extremely excited to help us through Gwaii Haanas park. She has given us a letter of support, and is giving us help that no dollar can buy. For three days, she and another guide are escorting Marc and I via kayak through Gwaii Haanas park. We are going to bring food, but this kind lass plans on bringing some local grub (deer meat, local vege's) that fall in line with our project. Amazing help....
Other major supporters have been the council of the Haida Nation who quickly backed my project with a letter of support. Jason Alsop is with the new heritage center in Skidegate. When I told him about my project, and asked for help, he put me into contact with all the major players on the island. One other person, Natalie Fournier works on the media permit aspect of things. So far she's been helping me along the way, and even encouraging me to keep on going. Dafne Romero, an experience filmmaker, joined the team after hearing about what we were doing, and is orchestrating the whole last leg of the journey.
All this help (and many other helping hands not yet mentioned), for an idea hatched a year ago. Amazing. I'm truly blessed.
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