TERESA DIEHL

World Adventurer and Educator

TERESA DIEHL

World Adventurer and Educator

Adventure

JIMMY JOHNSON, GIANT SHARK, and WATERTRIBE FINISH

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , , 2 Comments on JIMMY JOHNSON, GIANT SHARK, and WATERTRIBE FINISH

  Thank you to Jimmy Johnson for taking the time to listen to my goal setting presentation outline. That was very kind of you. I launched from his back yard and headed through Florida Bay to The Pelican Cottages for the WaterTribe Everglade Challenge finish. It was actually the nicest paddle I had in weeks. Paddling in the Bay knocked down the four to five foot waves at 1 second intervals. I am cruising along in a deeper area of the Bay, and thirty feet off my port side was an eighteen inch fin. It was very close and I could not see the body of the shark. It must have been at least a twenty-four inch fin, minimally. Figure out those dimensions and it was probably close to the length of my kayak and three to four times as big. I felt zero panic, only excitement, but that was the only glimpse I got of the magnificent creature. I kept up a scan, especially behind me in case it decided to trail me. Nothing. I did not look like anything to eat, smell like anything to eat, and it did not bother to determine if I felt like anything to eat. I kept up a steady relaxed paddle pace just as when I happened upon the shark. Probably because I would have liked to see it again, it went on its merry way. It was likely a Great Hammerhead, but I am no shark expert. The fin shape and size the shark can get up to match pretty well. Thank you to the WaterTribe participants and staff.   I felt so welcomed and enjoyed talking with everyone. I gleaned so much information on how to solve problems with my kayak. The finish of the WaterTribe race was hosted by the Pelican Cottages. I already had wonderful experiences with the Pelican assisting me in my travels from Key Largo to Key West and back. They did a great job again this year providing the venue for the event. It was a really nice day, interesting break from all the chaos!!! Teresa

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Tavernier

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

Many thanks to Catherine in Tavernier for her kindness and assistance in helping me pick up packages at the Key Largo post office, supplements at Remedy’s Nutrition. I am so glad to have the supplements back to enhance my performance! We also located white gas for my stove at Backcountry Outfitters. Kristi and JC were very helpful as well as Tom Dolinski who was working on the computers for the shop.

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Florida Expedition

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

  One thing I have learned, there is never a dull moment with the CastawaysAgainstCancer.com group. As we went out for our morning paddle, we spied this poor soul’s boat that had run aground in the last few hours. Poor luck for him, photo op for us! I am back in Florida. Cuba to USA for Education is still on! Paddling the Keys for conditioning and to search for someone who would like the opportunity to LEGALLY travel to Cuba. The paperwork I have from the US government is NOT easy to come by. I am hoping to find a 40 foot Catamaran or the like that will transport me and my small crew and kayak to Marina Hemingway. We will visit Havana, prep for the return paddle, and then set out to return to Key West. Nothing for them to do on the way back except to verify that I completed the paddle. Piece of Cake, right!                

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Foster City Kayak Launch Site

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

It started out as a gorgeous day, but became cold, drizzly, and windy. I got my training in and pulled the kayak out of the water just as it started to rain. Beautiful houses, restaurants, and businesses line the lagoon. At night, lovely lights illuminate the water and surrounding area if one can brave the cold.     Kayak Launch Site     

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Kayaking for Change

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

When you read a byline like “World adventurer and educator circumnavigating Oz for education” in a kayak solo no less, one can’t help but be curious about the woman behind the headline. So we tracked down Teresa Diehl to find out more about her inspiring kayaking adventure. Kayaking for Change Thank you to TRAVEL PLAY LIVE, Australia’s number one women’s adventure and travel magazine, article by Amy Heague, Chief Editor and Creative Director, for bringing attention to my efforts to empower students in goal setting, life skills, community awareness, and personal achievement.  

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Day of the Dead Paddle

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

Day of the Dead Paddle. I am the party-pooper with no face paint. Rebeca is two from my left and was in character from late morning on. She just CREEPED ME OUT!
Day of the Dead Paddle. I am the party-pooper with no face paint, but at least I have devil red-eye from the flash. Rebeca is two from my left and was in character from late morning on. She just CREEPED ME OUT!

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Miami Expedition Training for Cuba to Key West, and Working with Students

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

Arriving in Miami in August during a threat of a hurricane, I began the arduous task of getting permission from the United States Government to legally travel by boat to Cuba. I had hoped that if I were poised and ready to go, perhaps the US government would speed up its decision. It was a good plan, but of course it did not go that way…

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WILDERNESS WEAR IN ACTION

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

It is getting a bit cool in the mornings and the best solution for me is to don my WildernessWear Light Merino 170 Long Sleeve Crew Top under my paddling top. It is 100% Merino Wool, 200% Australian, and feels great next to my skin as a base layer. It is moisture wicking and after washing is always the first garment to dry in my gear. LIGHT MERINO 170 LONG SLEEVE CREW TOP Here is a photo of me with my Merino Wool top, just before the sun came up and my amazing Dolphin encounter. Great footage of Cavorting Dolphins I captured on a morning paddle. Just about to set out on a paddle in the beautiful Key Largo, Florida sporting my Merino top. WildernessWear is the perfect tool for the job! Thanks again to Jon and the crew at WildernessWear. Their efforts and customer service are outstanding!

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FLORIDA BAY OUTFITTERS

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in AdventureTagged , , ,

Thank you to Florida Bay Outfitters (FBO) for being my Expedition Headquarters. Cuba to USA  for Education would not be possible without the generous support of FBO. They have received all my gear for the expedition, given me a place to stay through all the red tape and organization of the journey, as well as assisting with the scheduling of speaking engagements. Frank and Monica have been of tremendous help. Florida Bay Outfitters sells everything Kayak, and Stand Up Paddle Boarding gear and supplies. They rent equipment for all your paddling needs and provide tours, training, and SUP Yoga classes. FBO is right on the Black Water Sound so you can launch right from the well equipped store or they also deliver kayaks for use throughout the Florida Keys. Frank, Monica, and the staff are courteous, friendly, professional, and knowledgable. Frank has been in the kayaking business for well over 25 years and there is not much he does not know about kayaking and the area. Monica worked for the Florida State Park Service so she knows all about the wildlife and great places to paddle for the day or camp overnight. For all your Florida Keys paddling needs, look no further than Florida Bay Outfitters! Comments Florida Bay Outfitters Submitted by Steven O’Brien on 27 October 2015 – 9:28pm Frank and Monica of FBO represent the finest aspects of the Florida Keys paddle sports industry. Their friendly, knowledgeable manner of business has done much to encourage the love our our sport. I’ve had to good fortune to meet and paddle with Teresa Diehl, she a very special person and a truly graceful paddler. – Steve O’Brien founder “Castawaysagainstcancer.com” Kayak Team delete edit reply Florida Bay Outfitters new Submitted by Teresa Diehl on 28 October 2015 – 5:59am G’Day Steve, You are spot on in your comments about Frank and Monica. Thank you for your kind words. Paddle on Iron Manatee!!! Cheers, Mate! Teresa

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PADDLED 28 MILES TODAY

By Teresa DiehlPosted on Posted in Adventure2 Comments on PADDLED 28 MILES TODAY

Submitted by Teresa on 17 September 2015 – 3:33pm It was a glorious morning on the Caloosahatchee River in Florida. Almost made it to the Gulf (as opposed to the Ocean. The Gulf is NOT the Ocean and I have been put in my place several times for making that mistake :)  ). The last five miles were in torrential downpour with 30 knot winds causing a following sea to make my kayak nice and squirrely (Would the Aussie equivalent be Kangarooy? I am sure that is not right. Don’t be shy Aussies, go ahead and chime in). I ducked behind an overpass foundation piling and made my way to the leeward side of the banks to let the storm pass. Tomorrow I head to Chicago for a memorial service to my Great Aunt Goldia. She was the oldest of eight children and sister to my Grandfather, for whom the Circumnavigation of Oz is dedicated. Perhaps I will dedicate the Cuba to USA for Education to my lovely and wonderful Aunt Goldia. I am looking forward to seeing all my relatives who I have not seen for at least thirteen years! Will keep training and keep posting from Chicago. Cheers, Mates! Teresa

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