P.E.I. teen completes solo paddle around the province

A 16-year-oldfrom Bonshaw,P.E.I., has a lot to brag about to his friends he just kayaked around the whole Island. Joseph Simmonds started his journey on Aug.8, spending 12days paddling.

He camped along the way, mostly on beaches. Thiswas the first time he'dever done an overnight trip after getting his first kayak a couple of years ago.

"I did a few trips and always wanted to do something a bit bigger, a bit more adventurous," Simmonds said."I wanted to do an adventure that was difficult and a challenge, but that was managable."

Simmonds decided to go counter-clockwise around the Island because of theweather. It was a wet week, but he only missed one day of paddling due to dangerous seas, although he saidhe did go out when maybe he shouldn't have.

He was equipped with a GPS and would check in with his family every morning and night. He said he feels fine physicallynow, but there were some tough times too.

Not just a physical challenge

"I did better than I thought I would, I was hungry a lot of the time which was probably the worst part, physically," said Simmonds. "I also got a lot of blisters on my hands and feet. But I didn't geta lot of muscle pain as I was expecting."

Simmondswas surprised by the mental toughness he needed on the trip.

"I was just very lonely, I was out there by myself for the 12 days with no one to talk to, it was very, very...I got homesick and it was just very hard."

Simmondssaid he learned he isn't a solo adventurer, and next time he will invite some companyalong. He said heleft on a search for adventure, but found a spiritual connectioninstead.

"It gives you a lot of time to think," he said."I felt really close to God. I sang a lot of hymns when I was out there to myself and I felt very peaceful."

He added, "when the big waves come you realize how helpless you are and how dependent you are on God, so I really got a sense of that."