A nonprofit founder in Kalamazoo has set out to make paddle-boarding history.
Josh Flath, founder of 4THE22, a nonprofit raising awareness of veteran and first responder suicide, will attempt to break the world record for farthest distance by stand-up paddleboard in 12 hours.
Flath plans to paddle for 12 hours in open water, attempting to break the current record of 80.84 miles in that time frame, set in 2013 by South African paddle boarder Chris Bertish.
Flath has a two-weekend window for the world record attempt, September 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 or 11. The day the attempt takes place will be reliant on weather. The record attempt will begin in Ludington with plans to end near Suttons Bay.
To prepare for the historic attempt, Flath has been training for 40-60 hours per week over the past three months. To break Bertish’s record, he will need to paddle at an average of 6.74 miles per hour for 12 hours on a route that’s two or more miles off the Michigan shore.
“I think I could possibly complete 100 miles,” Flath said. “I’ve done everything I can to put the pieces together, and at this point, we just wait on the weather.”
Flath’s support crew includes one boat captain and eight volunteer observers, who will validate the world record attempt, film the attempt from start to finish and help manage necessary equipment.
A veteran himself, Flath established 4THE22 in 2020 to help educate communities on the prevalance of veteran suicides and to help provide solutions.
“Each day, we lose 22 veterans to suicide, “ Flath said. “I can’t wrap my head around that. When you put a name and face with each of those 22 individuals, it’s heartbreaking. We’re here to help end the stigma around asking for help.”
The nonprofit hosts a series of group stand-up paddleboard, surfing and biking events throughout Allegan, Kalamazoo and Kent counties to help veterans and first responders find balance and purpose.
“The surfing and paddling community is one of the few places I’ve found that resembles the brotherhood of the military,” Flath said. “Being able to introduce veterans to the sport and community has been incredible.”