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Foursome complete long distance voyage Continued from pg. 1 McKenzie decided to combine his philanthropic goal with a passion he's had since childhood-- to boat to exotic locales and live an adventurous life at sea. The charity adventure voyage, dubbed All of Us, was born. McKenzie recruited a crew, which included Burlington's Brent Cornelissen and Markdale's Wolter ten Cate-- both businesses associates of McKenzie-- plus longtime family friend Dennis Volpatti of Tottenham. It took two years to plan the voyage. McKenzie, 56, purchased the 31-foot power boat at factory cost and other companies chipped in, supplying equipment. He spent eight months taking boat safety and navigation courses. "I grew up wakeboarding and waterskiing at our cottage in Halliburton, but I had no ocean experience. That was really interesting," McKenzie said. Cornelissen, on the other hand, had more than 20 years of experience sailing, participating in competitive offshore sailboat racing in Nova Scotia. McKenzie came across Boating for the Cure, a Muskoka-based organization that raises funds for prostate and breast cancer, and decided All of Us would attempt to raise $50,000 for the group through the boating adventure. The voyage began May 1 off the coast of Vancouver. The plan was to travel south, along the Pacific coast, cross the Panama Canal, travel north through the Caribbean Sea, go through part of the Gulf of Mexico, loop around Florida and finally up the Atlantic Coast and through Lake Ontario. But it wasn't all smooth sailing. Coming down the straight from the south of Vancouver to the Pacific, the crew encountered 20-foot swells. "It was a day and night to remember," said McKenzie. "Two of us were sea sick, our GPS equipment died, we were navigating based on a compass...it was an exciting ordeal." The All of Us team also wasn't counting on the oil spill. "We couldn't get any clear answers whether or not we would have problems coming around the Panama Canal," McKenzie explained. "The technical difficulties set us back almost four days and since we all have businesses and professions to get back to, we were worried we wouldn't get the whole trip done." To make their timeline, McKenzie had the boat shipped from Columbia River, Oregon to Jacksonville, Florida. Cutting across the U.S. ensured the team made it back to Ontario right on time, arriving at Oakville's Bronte Harbour May 30. All of Us has raised $25,000 towards its goal and is hoping to raise more funds during the Boating for the Cure family boat rally, being held on Lake Muskoka Saturday, June 26. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.allofus.ca. 9 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, June 17, 2010 Renewable Energy for Urban and Rural Residents! FREE PUBLIC WORKSHOP! Happy Father's Day June 20th Hope to see you at the this weekend! for info visit www.bigdaddyfestival.ca. Date: Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 Time: 7pm to 9pm Location: Georgetown Cultural Centre 9 Church St., Gallery For additional dates check our website www.halton.ourpower.ca A project of: In collaboration with: Sustainable Halton Environmental Network With support provided by Halton Hills Dad, We love you... you're the best! Love the 3 b's Brandon, Brittany & Brooke Bring Dad to Carafe Wine Makers during Big Daddy Festival and enrol him into our WINE & BURGER SCHOOL. Call 905-873-2667for details Check out our new Home and HOME FURNISHINGS WE PAY THE TAXES on your purchase. 265 GUELPH ST., GEORGETOWN 905-873-2753 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - OPEN SUNDAY *Excludes hottubs Emeral d I sle