“There wasn’t a single complaint, not even at 2 in the morning to catch the outgoing tide. Jackson would just get up and go to work,” says Nick Hall of his 11-year-old grandson. Together, they competed in the 2017 Everglades Challenge adventure race from Fort Desoto to Key West, Florida, some 300 miles in length. In 2017, it spanned Saturday March 4 through Sunday March 11.
The lengthy trip powered by wind and muscle aboard a small boat – in this case a Hobie Mirage Tandem Island – might seem daunting to anyone, let alone a young man several years shy of driving age.
“It was a challenge. The winds were quite nasty. For three days we had a small craft wind advisory. It was pretty persistent,” says Nick, better known as Pelican to his WaterTribe friends. And Joshua? The two are birds of a feather; he goes by Eagle.
“He did fully half the work to get there safely. Eagle learned how to use the GPS, and took care of navigation at one point,” adds Pelican.
“I started WaterTribe 2000,” says Steve ‘Chief’ Isaac. Adventure racing was just getting off the ground. It prompted him to make his own aimed at kayaks and sailboats. The first Everglades Challenge took place in 2001. The weather was awful. Only five competitors finished – one of whom had previously lost both of his legs. He came in first, setting a high bar.
Hobie watercraft are popular at the Everglades Challenge. Nineteen Islands were registered, plus two Cats. The Islands comprise the single largest class.
“The Island has developed into one of the boats that more people have success with on their first attempts than any other boat. It is very suited to this kind of adventure. It can handle open water, out there in any weather. The multi-hull works well. The MirageDrive is lke a secret weapon, a game changer when you’re out there. You can pedal, sail, and paddle it,” explains Chief.
Racers can stay in the open water, a longer route, or dive into the swamps of the Everglades. One particularly serpentine spot is known as ‘The Nightmare.’ Miss-time the tides and you’re stuck in the mud until the next high tide. Race director Paula Martell puts it into perspective. “Things slither there. They tell me these stories of being in “The Nightmare” at night. All those red eyes,” she says.
This is an endurance event – competitors routinely travel long hours deep into the night. “You really have to be attentive, to be alert for approaching boats and crab traps. I’ve done many a night run and I actually almost prefer it. The winds tend to die down, there is very little boat traffic; you’re basically out all by yourself,” says Pelican, who has now made the journey 14 times.
“You’re dog tired just before the sun comes up. Going through your normal routine conditions your body into thinking you have a full night’s rest. All of a sudden you feel great. It isn’t really that challenging. All it takes is an encouraging word to get over that hump,” Pelican adds.
“Every year is different, it’s not boring and it’s always fun. There’s always the unexpected.”
Pardon the old trope. It’s about the journey, not the destination. “This year I slowed down and looked around more. This year for protection from the waves, for safety, I hugged the coast. I found it to be a lot more enjoyable,” says Everglades Challenge veteran Jim Czarnowski, A.K.A. Penguinman. He saw a lot more wildlife, shorebirds and large sea turtles. And yet it didn’t cost him much time; he still finished first in his class.
Everyone who finishes is a winner. All are greeted with gusto, and awarded a cherished and celebrated Everglades Challenge wooden paddle. Those who cut through the Everglades add a gator tooth necklace.
