Epic Cuba 2 Florida Paddle About to Launch

Cuba 2 Florida Epic Paddle

Prone paddlers extraordinaire Cynthia Aguilar, Aimee Spector and Karen Figueroa  are getting set to paddle from Cuba to the Florida Keys to raise money for several charities, including Special Olympics Florida, Inc. and Ocean of Hope.

Here’s how they describe their expedition on their GoFundMe page: (Oh and you can still donate!!!)

“We will be attempting to paddle the 100 miles from Havana, Cuba to the Florida Keys on prone paddleboards. Although there have been attempts such as this in the past, this will be the first that sets out directly from the shore of Cuba using traditional stock (12 ft) paddleboards, the first to have three strong female athletes focus on fundraising as the motivation for their journey, and the first to connect with the people of Cuba to inspire budding young athletes. It will be no easy task, but we are up for the challenge! This is a politics-free paddle!”

According to the Facebook page, the team left en route to Cuba Friday. June 2. A SPOT tracker is set up on Cynthia’s website so you can follow the team here. We are waiting for the official word on when the paddle will begin, according to conditions.

More on the paddlers:

Cynthia Aguilar
Cynthia is an EMT and ocean rescue lifeguard on the beaches of Miami, Florida. As a competitive swimmer and water polo player in high school, Cynthia learned to love the challenge of pushing her body at a young age. Cynthia found the sport of paddleboarding an important and fundamental way to share her tremendous talents and passions, and she hopes this paddle will inspire others to approach life in the same way.

Karen Figueroa
Karen is a teacher, a lecturer, and a mom of two grown boys. She travels between Florida and Hawaii, training and motivating students to pursue their educational goals. Her paddling journey began on a whim at the suggestion of a friend and with a borrowed board. That small decision changed her life, and she now trains and races alongside the best paddlers in the world. Karen sees this Cuba to Key West paddle an adventure of a lifetime and an opportunity to encourage others to let the ocean inspire and motivate them because “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Aimee Spector
Aimee teaches special needs students in Redondo Beach, California and has competed throughout the world in paddling since 1998; she trains to compete in many athletic disciplines, including marathon and ultramarathon running, triathlons and SUP races, but prone paddleboarding and outrigger canoe paddling are her true passions, and she uses her training and racing as a means for community involvement and outreach. Aimee is compassionate, determined, self-disciplined and focused, and is excited to make this trip a reality.

GOOD LUCK LADIES!!!! We’ll be following and cheering you on!