Kayakers to cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca to raise awareness of human traffickingMyClallamCounty.com

PORT ANGELES – On Friday, a group of kayakers will embark on an 18.3-mile journey across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, paddling from Victoria to Port Angeles.

The trip aims to raise awareness and support the fight against human trafficking.

Rob DeCou leads the team, which includes Jim Baxley, Kris Pennell, Vicki Adams Heckman, Gay Hunter and Stuart Roach. They plan to begin their trip Friday at 5:30 a.m. and hope to arrive at Hollywood Beach around noon.

DeCou says human trafficking is a significant problem, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.

“For the past four years, I have raised funds for the fight against human trafficking. So I've worked with a lot of different agencies, mostly in California, Oregon, and Washington. This one in particular is raising money for “Hope 61”. They provide community education and prevention training around the world,” DeCou said. “We started a group here on the Olympic Peninsula to share with different churches and then with people in the community how to create healthy communities so that things like human trafficking and others are difficult. So it's kind of pushing back against the idea of ​​spotting and shining a spotlight so that the darkness can't be there.

When kayakers arrive at Hollywood Beach, they will be greeted by the HOPE61 team and local activists fighting against human trafficking. Visitors can learn more about this important cause from the team on site. A celebration will follow at Barhop Brewing & Artisan Pizza, where everyone is welcome.

You can learn more and donate to the kayakers' cause at gorobgo.org.

The weather should be ideal for the trip from Victoria to Port Angeles on Friday.