Kayaker takes on 24-hour challenge in support of men’s mental health

A Greater Victoria man is making good on a promise to kayak for 24 hours, after people helped him raise thousands of dollars for mental health.

A Greater Victoria man is making good on a promise to kayak for 24 hours, after people helped him raise thousands of dollars in support of a campaign for men’s mental health.

Ethan Reid was 3.5 hours in to the longest kayak ride of his life when speaking to CTV News Wednesday. He was smiling at the time and a little apprehensive with more than 20 hours to go.

“After eight to 10 hours, I think it’s just the same really. It’s all going to hurt,” he says. “I don’t know if I’m going to be there to be honest. I think by that time I’m going to be kind of just tired and ready to go home, but I’m going to feel accomplished and proud of myself and proud of the community that came together to make it possible.”

Supporters helped Reid raise thousands of dollars for his Movember campaign. The kayak guide pledged he would paddle for 24 hours if he hit at least $2,400 for the cause.

Reid isn’t paddling the Gorge waterway alone.

“Oh it’s amazing,” says Ocean River Sports owner Jamie Dawson. “For somebody that’s literally half my age to put this much effort and care into something like this is awesome and that’s why I’m here.”

Members of Ocean River Sports’ social paddle club have also committed to joining parts of the journey in support. Some have even provided snack bags, protein bars and coffee to keep Reid fueled along the way.

He says the sport and paddling alongside people helped improve mental health struggles of his own.

“It was mostly in high school,” says Reid. “Spent most of my time playing video games and I always wondered why I didn’t feel good, why I felt isolated. I felt angry. And then I moved away and started working at a paddle shop and started paddling more often, getting outside more often. And then it was just almost instantly, I felt connected to a community and connected to nature and to myself even.”

The CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association’s B.C. division says after years of work, leaders are seeing a shift thanks to men like Reid who are talking about their health.

“More men I think are opening to door to what can be life-changing conversations,” says CMHA’s Jonny Morris. “All it takes sometimes is a moment of vulnerability and a personal story. I share my story as a man about living with depression—and that can open a crack often for other men to go ‘Oh, OK. I’m not the only one. Someone else had this experience.”

Reid says finding a passion helped him and encourages others, who might be looking for advice, to find theirs.

“It can be sewing. It can be going outside. It can be playing guitar. I can be literally any little thing. Just find passion,” he says.

The kayaker expects to finish his paddle Thursday morning.

“I’m kind of excited to see how my body is feeling for the next few days,” he says.