I've always been drawn to the water. Growing up in Santa Barbara, that usually meant sand in my boardshorts and water in my ears. College rowing introduced me to pre-dawn mornings, chasing sunrises, the strange appeal of early a.m. workouts, and the deep friendships that grow from shared misery—I mean, shared experiences. The adventures somehow escalated from there: racing sailboats on the Puget Sound, kayaking through the San Juan Islands, and—for reasons that still seem questionable—rowing across the North Atlantic.

Paddling from Santa Cruz Island to Santa Barbara probably belongs in the same category of "why would anyone do that?"—equal parts silly, challenging, fun, and adventurous.

This crossing is different.

It's for someone who means a great deal to our community.

I'm honored to be participating in The Friendship Paddle 2026 in support of my friend, Scott Miners, and his family.

Scott is one of those people who has always shown up for others. He's a devoted husband, father, surfer, volunteer, and an incredible member of the Santa Barbara community. Even after being diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2021, Scott continued to put others first. Last year, while quietly fighting his own battle, he paddled alongside us to support another Friendship Paddle honoree.

Now it's our turn to paddle for Scott.

Every donation helps support Scott, Jenn, Kira, and Caleb as they navigate the financial and emotional challenges that come with Stage 4 cancer. Your generosity helps ease the burden of treatment, lost income, and the countless unexpected expenses that no family should face alone.

If you're able, please consider making a donation of any size and sharing this page with others. Thank you for helping us surround the Miners family with the same love and support Scott has given so many others.