TEAM : Groenland expedition !!!

It will be this coming June on the 8th that Ingrid departs from Montpellier on her way to Greenland to get her row on for 15 days in the middle of the Icebergs. During this interview, she lets us in on the plan, as always with a good sense of humor, and the reasons why she’s taking on this adventure. 1)Hello Ingrid, can you please introduce yourself for those who may not know you yet? “Hello my name is Ingrid Ulrich, I’m 40 yrs. old and the proud bearer of 2 Trolls, Nina and Carla. I am a Teacher of Eco-Management at a Pro High School for about 4 years now. I had begun SUPing to have fun in the Surf but then soon realized that big outings on a SUP were just as fun.
You get to enjoy the coastlines and countryside, fauna and flora that greatly differs depending on where you navigate (Sea, Rivers and Lakes…), and you can access places that people can’t usually get to, isolating yourself from civilization and discover some really magical places. So I just started paddling, and rowing, and rowing, and more rowing….I started by going out for about an hour, which turned into 10 hrs and I kept on going! SUPing was an escape for me, and still is. Life hasn’t always been a piece of cake for me but once I’m on my SUP I feel good, I feel alive, free and I feel lucky.” 2) About 3 years ago you had taken off to discover Iceland on your SUP. This year Greenland. Why? What is it that draws you to these far off places that are cold and hostile? “Oh Yes… Iceland…that was just MAGIC!! I was rowing in the middle of Icebergs and Seals, also in a volcano and on the sea side there were some sick waves with a background full of snow capped mountains but in that moment I was a bit scarred and din’t dare to get in those waves, it was to heavy and nobody around for lord knows how any miles. But I intend on going back! As far as cold and hostile countries go, well… I don’t know. I’ve always been drawn towards cold regions, when I was a little girl my favorite Cartoon was BibiFoc (French childrens animation program from 85-86 with a white Baby Seal) and it wasn’t because of the ‘Oh look how cute the baby Seal is’ but more because of the ‘WOW look at the pure white magnificent landscapes!! What fascinates me about Nature and big open spaces is that they force you to feel their force and capacity to dominate us and realize our insignificance within he hostile environment, we’re obliged to feel humility and admit that we cannot control everything in spite of all our efforts. There, we are nothing. You spend a lot of ‘alone’ time in regions like that, which is the opposite of our daily realities in the world today. I find it very relaxing. These countries with lower populations suit me well. I’m not afraid of many things but one of them is humans, so, the less there are, the beer off I am. Animals attack to eat and defend themselves/territories, humans are harder to understand and they’re unpredictable. Once you’re alone it is another type of challenge that presents itself. And that is self-reliance and knowing you can only count on yourself. It may be hard to believe but I lack self-confidence, I’m not at ease in public spheres. Alone I feel good, I don’t need to prove anything to anyone, just live my life and my adventure.” 3)What is the message you want to get through to people with this expedition? “Realizing your dreams allows you to flourish. You can’t go through life frustrated by what you haven’t accomplished or that you would have loved to do. You must always go with what you love…. run after it now or get as close as you can get to your dreams. We all have dreams, big or small whether the other side of the road or the world, but we often create barriers or push it off till later. One day life catches up to you, sickness, an accident, age, and we suddenly realize that we haven’t done anything more than ‘Metro, work, sleep’ and that’s not life!! I’m just hoping this adventure stimulates the desire… the audacity…for one to realize their dreams that’s all. My biggest desire is also to share my adventures, my experience with as many as possible, either practitioners, beginners or those whom are curious. I would like to offer a part of my voyage, take you with me through my photos and writings, so as to show you that all dreams can be achieved ; that it’s always possible to mark your path, even alone, with no limits other than the ones we impose on ourselves… and that each person, with their own skills, is capable of surpassing themselves and create their own story…” 4)How did you prepare yourself physically and mentally for this voyage? “Well I just came out of some heavy Cancer treatment, I had lost some muscle tone, and my ‘mental’ state had taken a mighty blow! After a life trial like that one does not see life the same. You know you’ve already got one foot in the grave, the switch is ready to be thrown….. so the lust for life and enjoying it takes on another meaning and is reinforced ;-).
A year ago I would have said ‘I’m training hard, eye of the tiger, I’m taking off at point A and getting to point B, with an objective of 100 Km a day….’ Today I will respond differently. My point of departure is Ilulissat, on the West coast, 250 km from the North Pole (makes you dream already right?) and I will start paddling towards the North, with no precise objective other than fully appreciating the grandiose landscapes, slalom between giant icebergs and make to the houses of the first polar expeditions of Paul Emile Victor at the foot of the glacier…
I can’t say ‘I will go where the wind blows me because i risk getting blown out to sea and blowing a tire…. but that is more or less the idea!” 5)Is it necessary you take this trip solo? “Well the trip is starting to take on some amplitude. There are some ‘Locals’ that have contacted me, and heavily advised me to not take off alone in face of some real dangers and being isolated on my trek. So I have made the decision to be accompanied by my friend JB and Blandine Mellouet (videographer & photographer from the Magazine Get Up SUP Mag) that will be following my adventure for a few days with the intention of making an adventure film. And I myself with have my camera onboard. All of this is in discussion phase, nothing solid for the moment, because of obvious budget constraints!” 6)From the viewpoint of security, what are the potential dangers that you are preparing to face off? “Oh yeah… there are some real dangers out there and some serious rules that need to be respected.
The Golden Rule in arctic regions is if you come across some big Icebergs (or in front of a Glacier) you never, ever get to close. As with the empirical rule in navigation, it is not recommend that you approach within the distance inferior to 2x the height of an Iceberg and 4x the height of a Glacier. One needs to know that Icebergs are ‘living’ things. They crack, they turn over, and displace enormous amounts of water and can release mini-Tsunamis. So one must never leave anything laying around not he beach and you must pitch camp high so that you aren’t on the bad end of a potential wave. Also a big danger is the Katabatibc Winds, that can really blow and can take you straight out to sea. They can come up hard and unannounced. They are very frequent in certain Fjords like that of Torssukkatak, where two glacial cold fronts meet and can impede navigation and impede the passing for several days. This wind can also enclose Icebergs around me and trap me. Then there is the Brash as well, which are chunks of Ice that can block the way….make it difficult to advance… not to mention that a chunk of Ice with a pointy tip is like a knife that can puncture your SUP and send me the way of the Titanic. So one must be on their toes!!
Hence the reason that GONG has offered to reinforce my Couine Marie Explorer. So there is a Triple Layer to make it more resistant. We’ve also taken a closer look at adding fixation rings for attaching water tight bags and taking off certain handles to lighten it…. The weather can also play tricks on me as well. Winter will be ending but there is always a risk of snow and serious cold. After that of course there are other dangers to take into account but the probabilities are lower… For example, being eaten raw by a hungry Polar Bear. LOL. No, I’m just kidding, they’re farther north in Greenland so I shouldn’t com across one. On the other hand there are Polar Foxes, there’s quite a few and are known to be aggressive. I could also get spanked by a Whale’s tail or a Yeti might fall in love with me and steal me off to its ice cave!!! LOL. But I have an Anti-Yeti defense, once he realizes I only have one breast, he’ll let me go!! HAHAHAHA. On a more serious note, I’m thinking about being equipped with a Satellite Phone, because the GPS Localizer I used on my previous adventures will most likely not work in that geographic Polar region.” 7)How did your entourage react when you announced your plans for the trip? “Well of course the Family side gnashed their teeth a bit, which is normal. I take care of my girls alone, so when I am on an adventure my parents take over and become a bit worried. But compared to my previous adventures Greenland is relatively easier! On the Friends side I get more support. I sometimes can’t believe all the support that I get, all the messages all as beautiful as the one before it. I re-read them often, always with tears in my eyes. I’s very touching for me, the solidarity, and it fills me with hope, and these incredibly beautiful people….. In my past life I didn’t have the right to go out or really have friends, my SUP has really given me the chance to encounter some real formidable people. This past year was in particular quite difficult, with the Cancer, Legal battles in Court, the wonderful support of my daughters…… If I had the strength to get through it was thanks to all of them!! And again another big THANK YOU!!! 8)Where you with your preparations today? How can we help you? The Cagnate Leetchi (Crowdfunding) still open? “Little by little, I’m trying to acquire specific equipment for this journey. I need to have robust and light gear, which is often expensive, without mentioning excess baggage costs. 20 autonomous days on the water which needs to be meticulously prepared. I’m looking for Partners and Sponsors that can help me with equipment (Tent, Clothes, Drysuits etc..) which would like to perpetuate and partner up for future adventures, because I do not intend on stopping there, I have a lot of big dreams I intend on fulfilling!! I think that the Cagnate Leetchi (Crowdfunding) is still open despite its final date.” 9)In what way will people be able to follow your Adventures? “My adventures can be seen by following my Facebook page but also on my Blog, which i under construction, but also by going to visit (at least I think) www.lesaventuresdelagrid.jimdo.com. Thanks ingrid. SUPeuse : Ingrid en GONG SUP Couine Marie Explorer gonflable. Source : Team GONG SUP, stand up paddle d’exploration.
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