Jeff Kozlovich and the 2817 Mile Challenge

Message from Koz in Hawaii

Katie Spotz set the bar very high with her Row for Water, a solo row (yes, in a row boat) across the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness and funds for Blue Planet Network. She helped raise more than $100,000 to provide safe clean drinking water to those around the world who otherwise would go without it.

On this web site you can learn a lot about the crisis of water on this planet and what you can do about it. I gave lots of thought to this and did a lot of research. Blue Planet Network has an impeccable reputation and a unique and award winning way to keep track of the funds donated. Yeah, you get to see exactly how they spend the money.

As I watched some video of Katie after she completed her adventure I was more than a little envious. With a family, a full time job as a lifeguard here on Oahu and a business as a personal trainer, there is just no way I could row across the Atlantic or any other ocean. But when I saw how far she rowed - 2817 miles - I got an idea, a crazy idea.

Out of respect to Katie and with a sincere desire to help raise awareness and funds for the many in our world who do not have access to clean, safe drinking water, I will go on various endurance adventures including running, swimming, biking and paddeling around the dramatically beautiful Hawaiian Islands that will total, in miles, 2817 and will complete this challenge before my 51st birthday on March 28, 2011. For all of my efforts I simply ask that you imagine a life without clean water, read some of the info on the website and then make a donation of at least $30 to Blue Planet Network to help toward my $20,000 goal.

A growing list of my friends( most of them Hawaii Lifeguards) have joined my challenge and will be pushing their limits with some long paddles. Check out my blog to see us paddleboarding, Stand Up Paddelboarding, canoeing, kayaking and swimming, too. I'll also be doing a lot of biking to get in those 2817 miles.

Laurel Dudley, who was part of the running team for the Blue Planet Run 2007 relay around the world, is going to join me for a 140 mile relay run/paddle around the island of Oahu.

All these challenges are happening in the beautiful Hawaiian Islands and we'll have lots of photos and video. If you can't get to Hawaii this year, following all these Challenges for Clean Water on my blog is the next best thing. If you are coming to Hawaii, send me an email and I'll make you part of the team.

Water is life. Pass it on.
-- Jeff Kozlovich