Air traffic controller Timothy Homan of Yulee, Fla., and architect Jake Thiel, now residing in Germany, set out early Saturday from the Downtown marina in Fernandina Beach aboard two 1995 Yamaha WaveRunners. The pair, longtime friends, aim to travel roughly 1,200 miles up the Intracoastal Waterway, reaching Fenwick, Maryland, a week later.
Fundraising purpose
The journey, dubbed “Riding With a Purpose,” is a fundraiser for Active Minds, a nonprofit that provides mental‑health resources and awareness programs for teenagers. Homan and Thiel will post live updates, photos and video on their YamaHoman website, encouraging supporters to donate to the cause.
Route and preparation
Starting in Fernandina Beach, the eight‑day trek will pass through Georgia, South and North Carolina, Virginia and finally Maryland. Planned stops include Brunswick, Savannah, Beaufort, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Norfolk, Gloucester Point and Colonial Beach before the final arrival in Fenwick. The riders have equipped the WaveRunners with extra fuel cans, food, water and waterproof cell phones, and will communicate via headset radios.
Each morning they intend to ride about three hours, extending the distance after a midday break. They have mapped 14 fuel stops and will camp on land for four nights, staying in hotels on the remaining days. “We think we’re a bit over‑prepared,” Thick said while loading the platforms.
Personal background and motivation
Homan, who monitors weather radar in his air‑traffic control role, expressed concern about thunderstorms along the South Carolina coast, noting that WaveRunners are buoyant thanks to their styrofoam hulls and that they will carry life jackets. Thiel, who describes himself as a survivor of police brutality, chose Active Minds because he believes young people need mental‑health preparation as much as physical safety.
The two grew up together in Fenwick, Maryland, where they earned the nickname “water boys.” Their family’s 1995 Yamaha WaveRunners have been passed down from Homan’s grandfather to his father, then to an older brother, before Homan restored them for this trip. A split fuel line was repaired the night before departure.
Community and bipartisan spirit
Although Homan was raised in a politically conservative household and Thiel in a liberal one, both say their friendship demonstrates that differing viewpoints need not break meaningful relationships. Their effort also honors Fernandina Beach resident Paul Lore, who, with Dawn Smith, rowed 3,000 miles across the Atlantic in 2021 and recently set a third world record, raising money for veteran‑focused charities.
Supporters can follow the expedition online and contribute directly to Active Minds, helping the organization expand its teen‑focused mental‑health services.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
