THE owner of a cross-training facility in Kingston last week completed a kayaking expedition around Jamaica, in order to raise awareness about reducing non-communicable diseases.

Jae Edwards, the owner of Spry Training, started his kayaking journey on November 2 at 6:30 am and successfully made landfall at Kingston Harbour on November 24 at 3:12 pm.

“This expedition was to raise awareness for reducing non-communicable diseases such as obesity, certain heart diseases, diabetes, and some forms of cancer,” Edwards is quoted as saying in a release. “If we could kayak for up to 12 hours per day, it is reasonable to encourage members of our society to take only 30 minutes daily to exercise. That would go a long way in improving and preserving overall health for a healthier lifestyle.”

The Spry Training owner would kayak during the days and rest at nights. Also, he was not alone out there.

Edwards was accompanied around the island by a support team, which would interchange kayaking roles so that he would always have at least one fellow kayaker on hand while out on the open seas. The support team comprised: Kayak instructor and tour operator, Isaiah Brown; adventurer and explorer, Dwayne Fields; marketing manager of Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel, Matthew Hann; and Spry Training’s Davion Bell and Toni Dunn.

“We had several near misses. The seas were rough at times, forcing us to rely on fishermen to tow us back to land on more than one occasion.

“This expedition has truly humbled me and served as a reminder that Jamaica is made up of very kind and considerate persons, who were willing to share meals with us, lend us a phone call when ours got lost at sea, or watch over our gears while we went inland for supplies. Thanks to them all,” Edwards said.

Edwards further advised that his mission for 2019 will be to continue to develop and complete initiatives like the kayaking expedition, to not only raise awareness, but create more opportunities to involve and educate the community.