Waterman, endurance paddler and marathon runner Alex Zowacki, 26, from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, USA, is setting off tonight on a 105‑mile SUP challenge spanning the distance from Morgantown to Pittsburgh. He’ll be paddling through the night, pushing into the early light.

This is the first of his major endurance efforts - and his first fundraising push - as he prepares for The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis ocean race, where he and the Live Fearlessly Team will tackle 80 miles of open ocean from Bimini, Bahamas, to Lake Worth Beach, Florida, from 10-13 June. 

As a rider‑owned brand, Blackfish is built on the spirit of grassroots athletes carving their own legacy. Alex’s story strongly resonates with those values, joining a long line of riders who have achieved what once seemed impossible.

His choice of the Blackfish Noumea 500 for this quest is a testament to what we put in athletes’ hands: gear built for efficiency, resilience, and the kind of heart and grit these challenges demand.

Hi Alex! We’ve always been humbled - and pumped - to see endurance paddlers coming across our gear... How’d you first discover our paddles and what made them stand out to you?

I first came across Blackfish Paddles about a year ago, but I didn’t know much about them until Last Paddler Standing. That’s where I met Peter and had the chance to learn more about the paddles—and more importantly, get one in my hands to see how it felt. Right away, I was intrigued by how light they were.

After some time passed following LPS, I reached out to Peter, Carlo, and Bruce to figure out which paddle would best suit my paddling style, especially for ultra-distance racing. After those conversations, I decided on the Noumea 500.

One of the biggest things that stood out to me about Blackfish Paddles is the team behind the brand. It’s not just made up of high-performance paddlers—there are quite a few ultra-distance paddlers as well. I think that says a lot about their focus and makes the brand feel more well-rounded and authentic.

We’re stoked that you’ll be using the Blackfish Noumea 500 for your 105-mile solo challenge. What is it about this paddle that makes it the right choice for such an extreme journey? 

Using the Blackfish Noumea 500 for the 105-mile solo paddle from Morgantown, WV to Pittsburgh, PA is the right choice because it offers the perfect balance of power, responsiveness, and lightweight performance. It delivers strong, efficient strokes when you need them, while still feeling effortless over long distances.

The best way I can describe it to someone who doesn’t paddle is this: it feels like your most comfortable pair of shoes—natural, reliable, and easy to trust. From the first stroke, everything just feels smooth and intuitive, allowing you to focus less on the paddle and more on the journey ahead.

What’s one thing about the endurance racing community that might surprise people who haven’t been part of it yet? 

One thing about the endurance racing community that might surprise people who haven’t experienced it is how strong the sense of camaraderie is. On the surface, it’s highly competitive—everyone shows up to push themselves and perform at their best—but underneath that, it really feels like a big family.

No matter your skill level, people genuinely want to see you succeed. There’s a shared respect that comes from knowing everyone is facing the same physical and mental challenges. Whether it’s offering encouragement mid-race, sharing advice, or simply acknowledging the effort it takes to show up, that support is always there.

A perfect example of this is Last Paddler Standing. When it comes down to the final two paddlers, they both obviously want to win—but at the same time, they’re pushing each other to go further than they ever could alone. It’s not just about beating the other person; it’s about bringing out the best in each other.

That balance of competition and support is what makes the endurance racing community so unique. You’re racing against others, but you’re also growing alongside them—and that’s something that really sticks with you.

You’re returning to Last Paddler Standing this year - what made you decide to come back, and why do you think it draws so many athletes again and again? 

Coming back to Last Paddler Standing was an easy decision for me. There’s really nothing else like it. The format, the atmosphere, and the mental challenge all combine to create something that’s both incredibly unique and, honestly, a little crazy—in the best way possible.

I think that’s exactly what draws so many athletes back year after year. Whether you’re signing up to paddle just one lap, aiming to make it deep into the race, pushing into the Super Laps, or even showing up as support crew or a volunteer, everyone is there for the same reason: to find their limits and push beyond what they thought was possible.

What makes it special is that it’s not just a race against others—it’s a race against yourself. Every lap becomes a new decision point, a mental reset, and a chance to keep going when it would be easier to stop. That shared experience creates a powerful connection between everyone involved.

It’s challenging, unpredictable, and demanding, but that’s exactly why people keep coming back. Once you’ve experienced it, you want to see just how much further you can go the next time.

What advice would you give someone trying to take on extreme endurance challenges? 

Take the leap and commit to it fully. Don’t wait until you feel completely ready, because that moment rarely comes. The truth is, stepping into the unknown is part of the process—and it’s where the real growth begins.

Endurance challenges will test you in every way possible. Physically, you’ll be pushed to your limits. Mentally, you’ll have moments where doubt creeps in and tells you to stop. Emotionally, you’ll ride highs and lows you didn’t expect. But that’s exactly why these challenges are so powerful—because they force you to confront those moments and decide to keep going anyway.

You start to realize that your limits aren’t fixed. They’re flexible, and they expand every time you push past discomfort. The moments where you want to quit the most are often the moments that define you. When you push through those, even just a little further than you thought you could, something shifts. You gain confidence—not just in your ability to finish, but in your ability to handle hard things in general.

Along the way, it’s important to focus on progress, not perfection. There will be setbacks, tough days, and times when things don’t go as planned. That’s all part of it. What matters is that you keep showing up, keep putting in the effort, and keep moving forward—no matter how small the steps may feel.

And when you finally reach that finish line, or accomplish the goal you set, it’s more than just a moment—it’s a realization. You look back at everything it took to get there—the early mornings, the long hours, the struggles, the doubts—and you see how much you’ve grown through the process. It’s emotional, it’s powerful, and it stays with you long after the challenge is over.

So if you’re thinking about it, don’t hold back. Set a goal that excites you and challenges you at the same time. Embrace the uncertainty, trust your ability to adapt, and be willing to push beyond what feels comfortable. Because on the other side of that challenge isn’t just a finish line—it’s a stronger, more resilient version of yourself.

Follow Alex’s journey on Instagram

Support Alex through his GoFundMe page 

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