Jul 29, 2010
Author: Jenn Dolen
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Eli Andersen set off paddling on his 16-foot self-made surfboard in choppy waters on the morning of July 23 to start an ambitious journey circumnavigating Graham Island, the largest island of Haida Gwaii. A crowd of well wishers formed on the beach in front of the Haida Heritage Centre that morning to witness the young man from Oregon start his adventure. He was blessed by the chanting of a Haida spirit song to give him luck and safe passage as well as a welcoming canoe song sung by some of the Haida people in attendance.
Located 100 km west of Prince Rupert in Northwest B.C., Graham Island has approximately 800 km of rugged coastline that Andersen will be paddling under the power of his two arms. Eli started his journey heading north up the east side of the island, with its inviting long sandy beaches and a few choice spots for some surfing fun along the way. The second half of his trip will take him down the rugged west coast, flanked by rocky shores looking out to the Pacific Ocean with the continental shelf dropping far down to the abyssal plain just off our coast line. Eli’s journey will be spectacular indeed.
This 29-year-old is not new to adventure, having paddled his surfboard along the entire Oregon Coast last summer, a trip that lasted 35 days. He enjoys the intimacy that this type of slow travelling breeds and said it “captured my imagination.” Though alone on the water, he enjoys the company the corridor offers two miles out from shore, with sea lions and other animals to accompany him.
Look for Eli and his packed surfboard coming around Bearskin Bay to Queen Charlotte sometime around September 10th.
Photo: Jenn Dolen
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