Paul Verchere was recovering from ankle surgery when he made a bold decision: to stand-up paddle board all the way around Vancouver Island.

Verchere, a yoga instructor and former nightclub owner, had always been active, and was keen to do some sort of athletic challenge. Taking inspiration from Terry Fox's cross-Canada run, he started making plans for a month-long paddling trip.

"I spent about two years preparing for it," he told CBC's .

Over that time, he invested in gear, trained physically and even considered finding a sponsor for the journey.

"In the end I realized I was just going to do it for myself."

Verchere meticulously planned his route for two years before he took to the water. (Paul Verchere)

He left his home in Ladysmith, B.C., on June 25.

For 40 days, Verchere paddle

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