One Stroke at a Time: Why I Keep Coming Back to The Crossing

Into the Darkness

There is something about standing on a beach in Bimini at midnight, knowing that somewhere out in the darkness is the boat you will be following for the next 80 miles, that makes you question your life choices just a little bit. Then the countdown begins. You grab your paddle, walk into the dark water, climb onto your board, and paddle out toward your safety boat waiting offshore. Within minutes, the lights of Bimini begin disappearing behind you, and suddenly it is just you, your board, your paddle, your team, and the open ocean.

In June 2027, I will return to Bimini for my third year participating in The Crossing, an 80-mile open ocean paddle from Bimini, Bahamas, to Florida benefiting Piper’s Angels Foundation and families affected by cystic fibrosis. What started as a crazy adventure has become something much bigger to me: a challenge, a community, and a way to use something I love to make a difference.

Chasing the Sunrise

The first few hours of The Crossing are surreal. You are paddling through complete darkness with no shoreline, buildings, or familiar landmarks anywhere around you. You settle into your rhythm and simply keep moving forward, knowing Florida is somewhere out there.

Then the darkness slowly gives way to sunrise.

One of my favorite memories is watching the sun come up from the middle of the ocean with absolutely no land in sight. There is nothing but blue water and sky surrounding you. It is one of those moments when you stop thinking about how tired you are and realize how incredibly lucky you are to be there. It is peaceful, beautiful, and humbling all at the same time.

Of course, the ocean doesn’t always give you peaceful conditions.

When the Ocean Gets Big

In 2025, I learned very quickly that the ocean gets to make the rules. We experienced 6 to 8-foot swells, and there were moments when the ocean looked and felt enormous. Those conditions pushed me far outside my comfort zone and taught me that The Crossing isn’t about conquering the ocean-you can’t. You must respect it, adapt to it, trust your equipment and safety crew, and keep moving.

There were times when I wondered how much longer I could maintain the pace, but you learn not to think about the entire 80 miles. You focus on what is right in front of you and take the next stroke. Then the next one. Eventually, those strokes become miles.

That experience taught me just how much mental strength matters when you’re out there. The weather can change, the waves can change, and your body can change, but you have to find a way to keep going.

A Year on the Beach

In 2026, I made the difficult decision to take a year off from paddling because of medical issues. I didn’t want to miss The Crossing completely, though, so I volunteered at the Florida beach landing.

Standing on the beach watching the paddlers arrive gave me an entirely different perspective. I saw the exhaustion, tears, smiles, hugs, and families waiting on the shoreline. I watched people who had spent hours in the ocean finally step onto the beach and realize they had done something incredibly difficult.

As hard as it was to watch from the sidelines, it reminded me exactly why I wanted to come back.

I missed being out there.

Bringing Back Saltwater Hippies

Saltwater Hippies was created during the 2024 Crossing, and in 2027 I am bringing the team back as a three-woman relay team. I’ll be paddling with Aileen and Kelly, with our captain, Mike, supporting us from the safety boat.

There is something special about taking on a challenge like this with people you genuinely enjoy being around. We will rotate paddlers throughout the crossing, while our safety boat follows alongside us carrying our food, snacks, hydration, supplies, safety equipment, and everything we need to make the journey possible.

Our goal is to complete the 80 miles in under 18 hours. There will undoubtedly be tired legs, sore shoulders, plenty of snacks, some questionable decisions, and a lot of laughter along the way. Most importantly, there will be a team encouraging each other through every mile.

Paddling With a Purpose

The physical challenge is a huge part of why I love The Crossing, but the purpose behind it is what keeps me coming back. The Crossing is a fundraiser supporting Piper’s Angels Foundation, which helps families affected by cystic fibrosis.

We aren’t just paddling from Bimini to Florida because we can. We are using this challenge to raise money and awareness for families who face challenges every day that they didn’t choose.

We get to choose to paddle 80 miles. We get to train, prepare, and eventually step back onto dry land. Families living with cystic fibrosis don’t get to choose the challenges that come with the disease. Being able to use something I love to help raise support makes every difficult mile worthwhile.

A Community Like No Other

The Piper’s Angels community is unlike anything I have experienced through another event. There are paddlers, captains, safety crews, volunteers, families, donors, sponsors, and supporters, all coming together for the same purpose. Everyone has a different story, but once you become part of The Crossing, you quickly realize that you are part of something much bigger than yourself.

That community is one of the biggest reasons I am returning in 2027. I love being surrounded by people who are willing to step outside their comfort zones, encourage one another, and do something difficult for a cause that matters.

I also love that The Crossing brings women together through adventure. You don’t have to be the fastest or strongest paddler to belong out there. You just need to show up, try something difficult, and keep going.

Back to Bimini

So, in June 2027, I will once again find myself standing on that beach in Bimini at midnight. I’ll have a board under my arm, a paddle in my hand, three women on my team, and Captain Mike waiting on the safety boat.

We’ll paddle into the darkness, leave Bimini behind, chase the sunrise, and face whatever the ocean decides to give us. We’ll rotate through the miles, refuel from the boat, encourage each other, laugh when we can, dig deep when we must, and keep moving until we reach Florida.

I don’t know what conditions 2027 will bring, but I know I’ll be ready to get back out there.

For me, The Crossing isn’t simply about paddling 80 miles. It’s about adventure, friendship, resilience, community, and having the opportunity to make those miles mean something.

Follow our journey: @saltwater_hippies on Instagram to watch Aileen, Kelly, Mike, and me train, fundraise, and prepare for The Crossing in June 2027.

Support our cause: If you’d like to help us paddle with a purpose, financial support goes toward our fundraising efforts for Piper’s Angels Foundation through our team fundraising page: Saltwater Hippies GoFundMe Team Page⁠

Because sometimes the best adventures are the ones that challenge you, connect you with incredible people, and give you the opportunity to make a difference-one stroke at a time.