PORT ANGELES – On Friday, a group of kayakers will embark on an 18.3-mile journey across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, paddling from Victoria to Port Angeles.
The trip is to raise awareness and support in the fight against human trafficking.
Rob DeCou is leading the team, which includes Jim Baxley, Kris Pennell, Vicki Adams Heckman, Gay Hunter, and Stuart Roach. They plan to start their journey at 5:30 a.m. on Friday and expect to arrive at Hollywood Beach around noon.
DeCou says human trafficking is a significant issue, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
“The last four years I’ve been raising awareness and funds for the fight against human trafficking. So, I’ve worked with a lot of different agencies, mainly in California, Oregon and Washington. This one in particular is raising funds for ‘Hope 61’. They do community training and prevention training around the world,” said DeCou. “We’ve been starting a group here on the Olympic Peninsula sharing with different churches and then people around the community about how to create healthy communities so that things like human trafficking and stuff are hard. So kind of pushing out the ideas of spotting and shining a spotlight so the darkness can’t be there.”
When the kayakers arrive at Hollywood Beach, they will be met by the HOPE61 team and local activists who are working to fight human trafficking. Visitors can learn more about this important cause from the team there. A celebration will follow at Barhop Brewing & Artisan Pizza, where everyone is welcome.
You can find out more and donate to the kayakers’ cause at gorobgo.org.
The weather is expected to be ideal for the trip from Victoria to Port Angeles on Friday.