Our project - CAP OPTIMIST

What is the prone paddle board?

Appeared in the 1920s-1930s and used by beach attendants to rescue a bather in difficulty. It is a
sport
which consists of using a specially designed board to row and move around using the arms, in a flat or kneeling position.

It should not be confused with
stand up paddle
which is practiced standing with a paddle.

This crossing has never been attempted on a paddle board

The global and unprecedented challenge

Expedition Cap Optimist is a crossing in continuous relay on a paddle board, on a distant and hostile playground, accompanied by an assistance sailboat.

A journey of about 8000 km between Peru and Moorea during the winter of 2023 in order to take advantage of the tail winds – three quarter tail. The temperature of the water is rather high compared to the first two crossings, so it is necessary to integrate protection to avoid dehydration, sunstroke and especially chronic skin disease, dryness…

The route will have to integrate the consequences of the EL NIÑO phenomenon!!!
The rowers will have to integrate in their mental preparations the underwater fauna in this area. The rowing relays will be set up according to these parameters knowing that the nights will be long and difficult for their organisms.
Indeed, the rowers will not have a reference point, which causes seasickness.

Our local actions

IN PERU

♥ Implementation of the educational program of the‘association “Un défi dans mon école” in elementary school in Peru in order to carry out health sport education actions.

♥ Partnership with Franco Pé high school: select classes with sick and disabled children and conduct an action around the‘inclusion.

♥ Meeting and sharing between waterwomen and children undergoing cancer treatment, hospitalized at the‘INEN – Peru Cancer Treatment Center where the waterwomen will offer a gift to the children.

♥ Meeting and sharing with the children of the‘association ALTO PERU, which helps the underprivileged children of the neighborhood, thanks to sports (surfing session, discovery of the neighborhood and sharing on the‘importance of sport to live better, take care of oneself and believe in one’s dreams).

IN FRENCH POLYNESIA

♥ Implementation of the “a challenge in my school” educational program in Polynesian schools.

♥ Creation of twinning between schools in metropolitan France, Polynesia and Peru.

♥ Setting up a support of 6 Polynesian Super Optimist, each one sponsored by a waterwoman in order to accompany her towards the realization of a sports challenge that would take place at the same time as the arrival in Moorea.

♥ Exchange with the Cancer Institute in French Polynesia (ICPF) to build concrete actions around sport, health and cancer.

♥ Working with the Amazon Pacifics association so that women in remission from breast cancer, followed by this association, take on the challenge of coming to row, swim, share with our waterwomen at the finish.

♥ Visit and exchange with hospitalized children at Papeete Hospital + endowment of a Super Optimist pack + meeting between health professionals and waterwomen.

At the beginning

For the departure of the expedition, boats with sick children will accompany the waterwomen on the first minutes of the departure from the beach of Lima. The children of the ALTO PERU association will row alongside the waterwomen on the first meters, alongside other associations and floating boats in order to organize a moving and festive departure.

On arrival

At the arrival on the beach of Temae, our waterwomen and the crew will be accompanied by various boats (Va’a, pirogue, stand-up paddle, paddle board, surf, small boats, …) allowing sick children, women in remission of cancer and more globally all lovers of challenges, the ocean, to share this unique moment.