Alex Okerman is leaving this Friday to raise money for the PWY: “The idea to paddle around Orcas Island to raise money for the YMCA’s Partners With Youth Campaign (PWY) was born during a staff meeting. I was sitting there, surrounded by my co-workers, listening to our campaign kick-off lecture, and thinking about all the amazing paddling trips going on at the time: Freya’s Race Around Australia, Hayley Shepard’s Circumnavigation of South Georgia, and Marcus Demuth and Biff Wruszek’s attempt at Tierra Del Fuego to name a few. You see, I constantly find myself day dreaming about my own expedition somewhere remote, challenging, and beautiful, and I’m inspired by the incredible expeditions that are being accomplished in the world of sea kayaking. However, my reality of taking a year off or even three months to complete a trip is not realistic right now. I would imagine this to be the case with many other sea kayakers out there. What is realistic are the day trips I can go on, the epic weekend get aways, and the week long paddling trips during my sacred vacation time. Thankfully Washington allows me to embark on these smaller trips which in turn fulfills my need to paddle and continually push my skills.

When I refocused my attention during the staff meeting we were onto discussing how each staff member was going to raise money for the campaign. I asked myself a few questions: What am I passionate about? What’s going to be a realistic goal with my schedule? What’s close to Seattle, challenging, and meaningful? How can I raise money doing something I love for something I believe in? As I asked myself these questions my excitement started to build, and by the end of the staff meeting I had a rough sketch of a short but meaningful expedition.

From March 5th to the 7th I am planning a 2-3 day solo circumnavigation around Orcas Island (WA) to raise money for the YMCA’s annual Partners With Youth (PWY) Campaign. Using sea kayaking as my medium, I intend to raise $1,000.00 that will go towards our overall YMCA campaign goal of $530,000. This money will be used for YMCA programs that build self confidence, teach leadership skills, and reinforce positive values.

The route I have chosen for the fundraiser visits places where I remember falling in love with paddling. Departing from YMCA’s CampOrkila, I will paddle past Point Doughty where I spent many summer nights watching blazing San Juan Island sunsets, past Doe Island where I remember feeling suffocated by the thick fog that roars down Rosario Straight, past the wild flowers and birds of Yellow Island and finally past Jones where I remember discovering how much fun high school kids and young adults can have during games of capture the flag, charades, and eating contests. Not only is Orcas Island rich with memories for me, but I’ve witnessed first time paddlers and kids who’ve never left the city get swept away by the beauty, power, and lessons that Orcas Island and paddling can provide. Most of these memories would not have happened without YMCA programs that PWY supports and thus, as I began planning my fundraiser for this year, I chose the route around Orcas Island.

To learn more about the campaign and donate to the cause you can go to seattleymca.donordrive.com, and search for Alex Okerman.

Special thanks to Kokatat and Body Boat Blade, Int. for supporting me on my paddling trip! You can contact me for more information at alexokerman@gmail.com. Photos courtesy of Lily Tharp.