Cailin, her dog, her SUP, and Instagram!
Our SpinSheet Century Club members—those who’ve risen to the challenge of logging 100 days within the calendar year—are sending in their logs. First-time Centurion Cailin Hohman logged her days all on a standup paddleboard! Here’s a bit about her year on the water and what inspired her…
What motivated you this year to get out there?
My dog. The challenge was really her challenge. Yes, I’m that millennial that has an Instagram for her dog (@nalatheredlab), and yes, my dog has over triple the number of followers as I do. I started the challenge for her and actually her followers are a big motivation for us. For me though, it’s how excited she gets when she sees me in workout attire, grabbing my phone and my DukGear phone case. In the winter she knows when I grab my wetsuit that it’s time to go.
Can you share three highlights from the season?
One highlight is that I got both labs, one 95 pounds and mine (85 lbs) on one paddleboard, and surprisingly none of us fell in.
The second highlight would be about a month after my laparoscopic surgery I paddled for the first time in winds over 8 knots and fell in love with paddling in windier conditions.
The third highlight was paddling in rough surf on Assawoman Bay during our trip to Ocean City.
Did you experience any scary days (storms, emergencies, etc)?
Nothing we couldn’t handle. We did have a one day where we paddled 6 miles against wind both directions, that was tough but we did it :)
Favorite wildlife sightings?
Seeing a blue heron literally eat out of the hands of a fisherman on a pier.
Did you take any newcomers out sailing or doing some other kind of boating?
Yes. We had 2 “new” people come out with us. My older sister, Meagan, came with us before flying back to California over the summer. She had been paddle boarding before but never with the dog. Halfway through our paddle, Nugg switched from my board to hers. The second person was my godfather, Lou. He came with us recently for the first time paddling on a board that fit him and for longer than a few minutes. ...I have a long list of people who want to join but our schedules just haven’t worked out yet
What did you get out of being on the water so much?
Overwhelming gratitude for living in such an amazing state. Although our waters aren’t Tahoe blue we are so very lucky. Even on cloudy days, it’s still breathtaking.
What would you recommend to someone considering the 2020 Century Club?
Once you hit day 30 and get in the habit of committing and making time to go every day or close to it, it becomes easier. Also, remember why you started it. Every day during this challenge and I made sure to remind myself why I started.
You, too, can join the club. Learn about the SpinSheet Century Club here.
