Penobscot Bay — by Thor Emory

The body can bring happiness to the mind. Mind and body are fiercely intertwined. When you do activities that strengthen the body, you can work towards balance. Whether it is trail running, paddling, backcountry skiing – you name it, engaging in endurance activities creates an equilibrium that helps us navigate the instabilities of life. I need to be active and feel fresh air coarse through my lungs. Exertion burns stress; it forces me to focus in this fast paced world, and it brings a certain steadiness to my life. But I am not a fan of being inside on a machine. Outdoor recreation offers more than the gym. While you have to contend with environmental factors and fatigue, the natural world is also a constant source of inspiration. It doesn’t matter what activity brings you into the wild or on the water, it’s the process of moving through a challenge that generates a toughness and sturdiness that you carry with you into all aspects of life.

This past summer I logged many miles on my stand up paddle board while teaching lessons, leading tours and paddling on my own. During this timeframe I also endured some major changes in my personal life and I found that my paddle workouts were key in pulling me through. Paddle boarding is dynamic, fun, and allows you to feel every subtle nuance of the ocean (or lake). Going upwind can be a slog but downwind is a blast. In rougher conditions especially, every muscle group is taxed but even on flatwater you can get worked. Getting worked is what I needed last summer. My inner world was tumultuous—a gale blowing through my emotions. But rather than retreat into an unhealthy pattern, I forced myself to get outside and be active. SUP was my release; each stroke offered relief and every mile a fresh perspective on the rugged Maine Coast and on life. I did one-way paddles from Camden to Rockport and then ran back to my truck. As the summer wore on and my SUP fitness improved, I began to stretch the miles and the exposure. My body was leading my mind. Muscle fatigue quieted my thoughts and as I got stronger emotionally, my motivation to seek out new challenges grew.

In August I crossed Penobscot Bay on my paddle board. I pushed off from Camden and paddled to Pulpit Harbor on North Haven Island. I have kayaked across the bay over a dozen times, even at night, but this was my first time standing. Behind me rose the Camden Hills with our picturesque village nestled at their feet and in front stretched the vast Penobscot Bay. When my friend and owner of Midcoast Maine Charters dropped me off by the bell buoy, the wind was blowing from the west—it would be a sweet downwind run or so I thought. I took a visual bearing just north of Mark Island (several miles away), breathed deeply for a moment, and then put my blade in the water. Usually, the first few steps or strokes of any challenging endeavor can feel intimidating, but before for my crossing I only felt relieved to let my body to take over for a while. I left my turmoil on the shore and in my wake.

The bright sun bounced off the water into glittering shards of light and felt warm on my back. Soon I was bathed in sweat. Puffy cumulus clouds skated overhead but the sky was mostly clear. The dark green islands in the bay looked like distant ships in a world of blue. Paddle boarding longer distances is more akin to running than surfing (unless you’re riding waves downwind). It is a matter of persisting—one stroke after another. To cover distance, you have to keep working, keep slogging. Usually I want to do more than just get there – I want to do it as fast as possible. I find that when I push hard my brain becomes more focused. I take in the weather, water variables and hazards. I assess output versus remaining endurance stores, and I let my thoughts and feelings flow through me. During my crossing though, I just wanted to hammer for a while and paddle with everything I had.

After twenty minutes into my crossing, the wind shifted aggressively to the south. I had to fight the wind and current and hold my ground to keep from getting pushed away from Pulpit Harbor. After a hard battle, when I could begin to differentiate the spruces from one another on North Haven, I knew I was closing in on my target.  I pulled up near the shore, knelt on my board and stared back towards the Camden Hills where I had left the tribulations of my work and life. My support boat pulled up and my board and I were loaded. We gunned the engines and headed off for an island lunch break.

Paddle boarding is about balance. If you lose your balance and take a swim in the chilly Maine water, you have to get up and refocus. Just like when life knocks you over, you dig deep, breathe and get back up. Even though most boats have been hauled out of the water for the winter, I am still paddling. For me, it is about getting out and allowing the rebalancing process to happen while my muscles move. It’s about putting in the work—the physical work and the inner work. I often think back to last summer. It was a difficult time for me, but adventures like my Penobscot Bay crossing made me face my struggles head-on and begin to work through them. Stroke after stroke, we dig and we push through.

Thor’s Pen Bay crossing only took 1hr and 40 min. He hammered it out! Now he is waiting for a strong westerly so he can ride some waves the whole way.

-Thor Emory is an outdoor educator and co-owner of Thorfinn Expeditions based in Lincolnville Beach, Maine. He is an accomplished paddle boarder, sea kayaker, skier, runner and sailor. You can find him at Thorfinn Expeditions in Lincolnville Beach or training on the multi-use trail, launching his paddle board from the beach and getting ready for the spring racing season. His two sons, Finn (5) and Carver (2.5), are usually right behind him, trying to keep up.

More about Thorfinn Expeditions:

Thorfinn is an outdoor adventure and education business that specializes in sailing, stand up paddle boarding, and multi-sport programs. Built on the belief that people need to adventure, Thorfinn Expeditions facilitates challenging and inspiring programs that foster a greater sense of self, physical fitness, and environmental appreciation. With exceptional staff and equipment, Thorfinn has the adaptability and experience to run adventure-based programs for any individual or group that embody fun, teamwork, learning, and perspiration. The Thorfinn shop in Lincolnville Beach is currently being geared up to stock the best SUP equipment anywhere. The shop doubles as a basecamp and will include a training area for Team Thorfinn athletes and outdoor fitness members.

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