The VESL Vixens: Four Amazing Women That Took on a GIANT Physical Goal to Challenge Themselves… and to Benefit Their Community.
These four women: Alyssa Norwood, Keri Pommerenk, Ericka Primeau and Alice Toth aka the VESL Vixens, for different reasons, decided to take on a very big, bold, and audacious challenge; to individually paddle 30 miles across the ocean as part of the Ben Carlson Foundation’s annual fundraising paddle, the Ben Did Go 9.0. And they rocked it, together.
However there were two big, key factors: none had ever paddled a prone paddleboard before, and they only gave themselves about 5 months to train.
They tell their “whys,” their “how’s” and they share the stories created along the way. It’s a powerful and fun interview that shines a light on doing hard things, doing it for a purpose, doing it together and realizing that it’s never too late to do something epic.
Time: 0:46
The Paddling Community
Time: 1:28
Creation of The VESL Vixens
Time: 1:03
Honoring Ben Carlson
Time: 0:59
Ben Did Go
0:00 – Discussing achievements, motivations, experiences, and reflections.
7:53 – Sports experience leads to big adventurous pursuits.
13:01 – Awesome event with strong safety rules.
19:16 – Inspired to engage more with ocean lifeguarding.
25:45 – Endurance sports.
31:12 – Jack Bark sets a 32-mile prone paddling record.
35:35 – Transitioned focus from appearance to performance training.
37:17 – Quick muscle training improved paddleboard confidence.
43:45 – Breaks are earned, not given.
49:24 – Unexpected achievements by inexperienced paddlers; truly impressive.
57:16 – Constant learning in sports, especially with challenges.
1:01:20 – First year is challenging, subsequent years are more fun.
1:03:00 – Left the beach excited and full of adrenaline.
1:12:40 – Honoring Ben Carlson, reflecting and diving.
1:13:42 – Channel crossing becomes a magical, personal triumph.
1:21:16 – Challenges make experiences memorable and remarkable.
1:28:42 – Experienced growth and healing through the journey.
1:29:27 – Impressive effort, passion, and positive representation.