Head lifeguard off to Hawaii for ride of his life

South Walton Fire District Beach Safety Coordinator Gary Wise is no stranger to water competition.
Just this year, the Australian native has won several paddleboard surfing events in the state as a YOLO (You Only Live Once) Board LLC representative from South Walton – including the Florida Paddleboarding Championship in March and the East Coast Paddleboarding title last month in Key West.
But even with his vast knowledge of the sport, Wise admits his next challenge at the Quiksilver Edition Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race this Sunday in Hawaii will be completely different than anything he’s done before.
“I know where the race is and I’ve seen the north shore of Oahu,” he said, “but this is one of those things you fly over and say ‘They paddle that far?’– that’s crazy.
“It’s (the area) notorious for 6-10 foot swells and 20 mph wind coming from the side. The last race I did in South Florida was mostly just dealing with the current.”
Wise will face off against some of the best paddleboarders in the world in a 32-mile race across the turbulent Kaiwi Channel. According to the event’s Web site, competitors will be maneuvering across some of the roughest water in the islands.
 Wise is one of only two boarders to qualify for the event from Florida and the only male to do so on the East Coast.
“I really just want to finish,” he said. “That’s my aim.  It’s been hard to prepare (here). It’s been flat for weeks.
“I feel my paddling is good, but as far as spending quality time catching runners and doing down wind times – I haven’t been able to do that.”
Paddleboarding is essentially done by standing up on a specially designed long surfboard and steering with a paddle. The idea became popular in Hawaii during the 60s among surfing photographers who needed a way to get beyond the breakers and take shots of competitive surfers.
The YOLO Board LLC. was formed in by Jeff Archer and Tom Losee two years ago as a way to bring paddleboarding into the area. Wise has been competing for the group since last year.
“I’m just very thankful to YOLO for giving me the opportunity to represent them, as well as the SWFD,” he said. “It’s part of bringing credibility to the area. The whole waterman – they all tie into together. Many people forget the surfers of the area that help so much with rescues (on the beach).”