It's all about . . . Bob Purdy

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

And so it should be.

Bob has influenced and inspired many people around the world, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know him - and his lovely wife, Sharon - over the past few years. 

On Wednesday this week, at zero-dark-thirty, I joined Bob with my paddle board for one of his final paddles on Okanagan Lake (as a resident here) before he moves to Tofino. We have managed to get out on the lake a few times, he and I, and I always enjoy the conversation and hearing the conviction in Bob’s voice when it comes to what truly started out as a one-man crusade.

For almost five years now, Bob has paddled every single day to make a statement about preserving the planet for future generations. His main focus is not simply to have you join him in his cause, it is to get you committed to a cause.

His commitment is the one of the things I love about Bob. Is there anybody else reading this who has been so convinced about an issue that they’ve changed their life for it? Bob did. Five years ago, an hour a day, focusing on one important issue. Such commitment and conviction are rare and trade-able commodities.

Bob hopes he is an example to us. Naturally he would like to think that people will engage with his message through his organization Paddle For The Planet, but most importantly I believe he just hopes that you will become as committed to something you believe in, and that you won’t doubt your own abilities to make a difference in the world.

If you should, by chance, make a commitment to a project, business, charity or personal ambition so great that you are willing to get up an hour earlier every single day for five years, can you even begin to envision the wave of change that could come of it? I don’t think Bob could either.

It was a total privilege for me to get to know Bob a little, and in particular to take one of the most beautiful mornings this week to go for a paddle with him. Simply, almost silently, we were able to celebrate what we have in the Okanagan: Good friends, and a precious environment.

Thank you Bob.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.