The Ocean Gets Deeper

Reading Music: Walk by The Foo Fighters

After months of soaking up knowledge, encouragement, and motivation from the Paddle Monster crew, I’ve officially taken the plunge.

I’m not just lurking in the background anymore…I’m showing up, engaging, and fully committing.

And when you commit, you go straight to the source.

For me…that’s Larry Cain.

Larry isn’t just a paddling legend. 

He’s the kind of coach who makes you want to show up better…for yourself and for the work. 

He’s sharp, intentional, and somehow balances intensity with approachability.

If Paddle Monster is the Avengers of paddle sports, Larry is the Avenger.

So yeah…I signed up for his workouts.

Week One: Reality Check.

Let’s be honest this first week…It was humbling.

I lost count of how many times I gasped for air, slouched in my form, or let my brain drift halfway through an interval.

But that’s the deal…right? 

Growth doesn’t come without a little discomfort.

You don’t level up without stumbling a bit.

And first weeks? They hurt.

Still…there’s something exciting about it.

Every stroke feels more deliberate.

Every session feels like a step toward something bigger.

And the best part? I’m not doing it alone. 

Even behind screens, there’s a community out there…cheering, grinding, showing up together. 

That kind of support makes the hard stuff worth it.

So yeah, I’m sore in places I forgot existed…But that’s just part of the process.

This isn’t just about paddling harder…It’s about paddling with purpose.

With a coach who pushes me, a crew that’s got my back, and a mindset that’s shifting from “just try” to fully commit.

If this is what drinking the Kool-Aid looks like…I’m all in.

Let’s see where this current takes me…

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Joe is the Co-Founder of PNW Paddleboards a Washington based stand-up paddleboard company believing recreation is the resource available in the PNW, that far exceeds in value, any of the commercial aspects, simply because it applies to people and their feelings.