Intro: Chris Yahanda
January 16, 2021
Hey everybody, my name is Chris Yahanda, and I’m one of the guys crazy enough to buy into William’s idea of paddling 425 miles from Mackinac Island to Lansing. When I’m not practicing decision making that my mom considers questionable, you can find me daydreaming about summer in Northern Michigan, trying to find any excuse to get outside and get a break from the work week.
For me, the story of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline is about far more than just environmental conservation, it is deeply personal. Northern Michigan and its waters have held a special place in my family’s hearts since my great grandfather built a fishing cabin on Lake Skegomog in the 1940s. Growing up swimming, paddling and kiting along Lake Michigan’s shorelines have given me an immense appreciation for the indescribable beauty of North America’s inland seas.
In my opinion, and the opinion of many others that share a connection with these waters, the Great Lakes are more than just bodies of water, they are an invaluable part of our identities. Much of who I am and what I love are a product of Lake Michigan, and if Line Five were to rupture, it is not just pristine waters that would be gone, but also a portion of what makes me, me.
With so much at stake, sitting on the sidelines just did not seem like an option. So here we are, three lifelong friends preparing for an unprecedented journey, and planning a documentary with grand total of 3 years of film making experience (all from Davis). We may be flying by the seats of our pants a bit, but if we know how to do anything it’s paddle and talk about Northern Michigan.
We hope that you all will follow us along our journey, and more importantly stand up for the protection of the Great Lakes and cherished natural places, the world over.
Cheers,
Chris
As Chris mentioned, he KNOWS how to paddle! That might sound weird since the action of paddling is quite simple and easy – everyone can do it. But for Chris, it is more than a leisurely activity. He always pushes to go farther. Rain, wind, or shine, Chris can be seen paddling along Grand Traverse Bay. A few summers back, he even started racing AND took home the hardware! So ya, he can paddle and we will depend on him as a driving force to make sure we finish the 425 miles on schedule. – William
