Last month, stand up paddler Karen Wrenn became the first person to paddle between all 8 of the Channel Islands, consecutively, off the coast of Southern California.

Rough seas, inclement weather, long distances and sealife with mighty big teeth were some of the challenges she had to overcome to make the crossing.

“After he heard me talking about paddling the Channel Islands, my husband asked me if I was serious,” Wrenn said. “My answer was simple, why wouldn’t I?”