About Sonya Bailey

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I have always enjoyed the outdoors, being active, and I have genuine interest in the natural world around me. My interest in physical activity and the outdoors lead me to pursue activities like biking, running, scuba diving, snow skiing and kayaking. Unlike being in a gym or in an arena, I made sure my activities took me outside. I have always enjoyed the wind in my hair, the sun and rain in my face. For me there has been no greater pleasure than to feel my body in motion while my senses our enveloped by what nature has to offer.

In addition to the physical aspect of my endeavors, there has been the cerebral. As I have spent time out doors with nature, my curiosity is peaked by the many activities around me. Often while out on outing, I found myself stopping and sitting only to study a plant, an insect or the activity of a bird, studying it trying to unlock its secrets. I often leave with many questions. When I am away from nature I fill the void by reading and studying the many things that I discovered in the wilderness.

The kayak has become the main vehicle to fulfill the many facets of who I am; the athlete, the explorer, the spiritual. Like many activities I pursued, I have stride to improve my skills and take them to new and higher levels. The beauty of being a kayaker, there are many challenges as well as new horizons to explore. It is my goal to take my kayak and myself to continuously higher levels.

Achievements:
• BCU Four Star Assessed
• Canoe Safety class, 2002 and 2005
• Certified in 2004 as an ACA instructor for intro to kayak
• 2003 Everglades Challenge, First Solo Female paddler to finish. Time 6 day 9 hour over a distance of 300 miles.
• 2005 Everglades Challenge, First place female paddler.
• 2003 thru 2005, Training and Safety coordinator for the Tampa Bay Sea Kayakers.
• 2001, First place female in the 6 miles Treasure Island Charities Kayak Race.
• 2001, First Place female in the 8 mile Weedon Island Power Paddle.
• 2002, First Place female in the 6 mile Treasure Island Kayak Race.
• 2002, finihed the Osprey Bay 24 mile Cross Tampa Bay Challenge.
• 2005, First Place in both the Boogie and Bacall kayak races.
• Lead various kayak trips for Tampa Bay Sea Kayaker club.
• Wrote a number of articals for the Tampa Bay Sea Kayaker news letter, Ebb & Flow.
• Explored much of Florida via kayak.

Other interests:
• Alpine Snow Skiing, Snowboarding & Snowshoeing
• Scuba Diver, Logged over 350 dives
• Runing
• Biking, Mountain and Road
• Skater, Inline, Ice
• Hiking
• Photographer
• Naturalist
• Hiking & backpacking

Goals
• Expedition, Circumnavigation of Vancouver Island 2009
• Bring the experience of the expedition to the home and classroom through the latest multimedia technology
• Expand my knowledge of nature, marine biology, botany, The use of plants, Wilderness Survial.
• Share that knowledge with others.
• Seek BCU 5 star Traing and Assessment.

Finally January 31st, 2009