One man’s 80-mile stand up paddle brings hope for change

Walton County residents Leslie Kolovich and Joan Vienot are both colleagues and good friends. Kolovich, host of the Stand Up Paddle Radio Show and Vienot owner of Pool Pal in Freeport often combine their enthusiasm for stand up paddling by interviewing and photographing interesting stand up paddle boarders across North America for Kolovichs’ radio show.

Their latest journey will bring the two of them to British Columbia on June 16, 2012. Kolovich will be interviewing and paddling with environmentalist Bob Purdy during his fundraising effort: World Paddle for the Planet Day. Purdy will be paddling the 80-mile long Lake Okanagan to bring awareness to basic environmental consciousness, and encouraging people around the globe to change wasteful habits. Proceeds of Purdy’s efforts will go to the David Suzuki Foundation.

“The change I want to see in the world is a reduction in consumption! We need to rethink the way we consume and reduce what we buy. The planet needs a break from our constant need to indulge,” said Purdy.

Kolovich will be interviewing Purdy for her radio show as Vienot documents the event with photographs. Kolovich hopes to paddle alongside Purdy for a portion of his 20-hour journey.

“I will paddle as long as I can,” Kolovich said.

To hear the initial interview with Purdy, click here.