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CNN Live Today
Interview With Leslie Windram
Aired July 10, 2003 - 10:27 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The women taking part in this event represent the Women's Millennium foundation as you just heard. And that foundation's president is Leslie Windram and she's on the phone with us now to talk more about the organization and the contest. Leslie, give us an update.
LESLIE WINDRAM, PRESIDENT, MILLENNIUM WOMEN'S FOUND.: Hi, how are you, Leon?
HARRIS: I'm very well, thank you. How are the girls doing? I'm sorry. How are the ladies doing?
WINDRAM: They are tired, but they are determined. They're outside of Sand Key as we speak. And they are still, like I said, they are determined they're going to make this thing happen. So, you know, in spite of a long night and some heavy, heavy seas these girls are still out there kicking it.
HARRIS: How far away do you think they are right now?
WINDRAM: They're probably around 12 to 15 miles outside of Key West at this time. So they're going anywhere from five to six miles an hour.
You know, they're tired. You know, it's been a long night and fortunately, you know, once you get to the daybreak, I think there's a psychological kind of boost that you get, because now you can see where you're going and you don't have those 15-foot waves staring you in the face.
HARRIS: You can also see what's coming at you too.
WINDRAM: That's right.
HARRIS: Did you hear any reports about any sharks or anything?
WINDRAM: No, no sharks. And they're ready to set foot on the Keys and, I'm sure, you know, get something to eat, a hamburger, and take a nap and celebrate.
HARRIS: By the time you expect them to make landfall, how long do you think they'll have been in the water?
WINDRAM: It's difficult to say right now, until they actually do, because, you know, these last couple hours, it's like the last, you know, the last couple miles of a marathon. That's what they're up against right now. They're facing tremendous fatigue. The last satellite call we had from them, you know, we could hear them hooting and hollering. Mentally, in spite of the fatigue and what they've been doing all night, mentally, they're going to make this thing happen. They're ready to show up.
HARRIS: If here hooting, that's a good sign, then.
WINDRAM: Yes, absolutely. It's all mental.
HARRIS: I want to know who in the world was it that came up with this idea or the sport in the first place? Looks like it's a kayak that lost its paddle.
WINDRAM: That's a funny way to put it.
HARRIS: Is that what happened? Where did this come from?
WINDRAM: This is a sport that's been around for a long time. It's very popular in Australia, it's very popular out in southern California. And it's catching a growth here in Florida as well.
Initially, this was the way that a lot of Hawaiians navigated between the islands, probably before they figured out they could stand up on it and get there faster, which became surfing. So this is something that has a lot of deep roots in Hawaii and, also in California. As I said, now, in Florida, people are taking to it.
So this event, you know, initially, the event creator, Michael O'Shaughnessy was part of the original Guinness Expedition in 2000 and has since returned, the subsequent years. It's the first time that women have ever been able to make this crossing, which is extraordinary and I think certainly speaks to not just the talents of these women, but also to the fact that they are persevering out there.
HARRIS: Leslie, if we were able to -- if it's possible, we sure would like to talk to you or them when they make landfall. About what time should we try to check in with you?
WINDRAM: I would say in a couple hours, I can be in touch and let you know and make arrangements to facilitate you. I that know the women would love to be able to share their experiences with everyone.
HARRIS: I'd like to see them try to eat a burger. I don't think they could lift one after using their arms all night like that.
WINDRAM: We'll have to cut it up in little pieces for them.
HARRIS: There you go. Well tell them all we said good luck and that we're rooting for them.
WINDRAM: Thank you very much. We appreciate it.
HARRIS: Good luck to all.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 10, 2003 - 10:27 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: The women taking part in this event represent the Women's Millennium foundation as you just heard. And that foundation's president is Leslie Windram and she's on the phone with us now to talk more about the organization and the contest. Leslie, give us an update.
LESLIE WINDRAM, PRESIDENT, MILLENNIUM WOMEN'S FOUND.: Hi, how are you, Leon?
HARRIS: I'm very well, thank you. How are the girls doing? I'm sorry. How are the ladies doing?
WINDRAM: They are tired, but they are determined. They're outside of Sand Key as we speak. And they are still, like I said, they are determined they're going to make this thing happen. So, you know, in spite of a long night and some heavy, heavy seas these girls are still out there kicking it.
HARRIS: How far away do you think they are right now?
WINDRAM: They're probably around 12 to 15 miles outside of Key West at this time. So they're going anywhere from five to six miles an hour.
You know, they're tired. You know, it's been a long night and fortunately, you know, once you get to the daybreak, I think there's a psychological kind of boost that you get, because now you can see where you're going and you don't have those 15-foot waves staring you in the face.
HARRIS: You can also see what's coming at you too.
WINDRAM: That's right.
HARRIS: Did you hear any reports about any sharks or anything?
WINDRAM: No, no sharks. And they're ready to set foot on the Keys and, I'm sure, you know, get something to eat, a hamburger, and take a nap and celebrate.
HARRIS: By the time you expect them to make landfall, how long do you think they'll have been in the water?
WINDRAM: It's difficult to say right now, until they actually do, because, you know, these last couple hours, it's like the last, you know, the last couple miles of a marathon. That's what they're up against right now. They're facing tremendous fatigue. The last satellite call we had from them, you know, we could hear them hooting and hollering. Mentally, in spite of the fatigue and what they've been doing all night, mentally, they're going to make this thing happen. They're ready to show up.
HARRIS: If here hooting, that's a good sign, then.
WINDRAM: Yes, absolutely. It's all mental.
HARRIS: I want to know who in the world was it that came up with this idea or the sport in the first place? Looks like it's a kayak that lost its paddle.
WINDRAM: That's a funny way to put it.
HARRIS: Is that what happened? Where did this come from?
WINDRAM: This is a sport that's been around for a long time. It's very popular in Australia, it's very popular out in southern California. And it's catching a growth here in Florida as well.
Initially, this was the way that a lot of Hawaiians navigated between the islands, probably before they figured out they could stand up on it and get there faster, which became surfing. So this is something that has a lot of deep roots in Hawaii and, also in California. As I said, now, in Florida, people are taking to it.
So this event, you know, initially, the event creator, Michael O'Shaughnessy was part of the original Guinness Expedition in 2000 and has since returned, the subsequent years. It's the first time that women have ever been able to make this crossing, which is extraordinary and I think certainly speaks to not just the talents of these women, but also to the fact that they are persevering out there.
HARRIS: Leslie, if we were able to -- if it's possible, we sure would like to talk to you or them when they make landfall. About what time should we try to check in with you?
WINDRAM: I would say in a couple hours, I can be in touch and let you know and make arrangements to facilitate you. I that know the women would love to be able to share their experiences with everyone.
HARRIS: I'd like to see them try to eat a burger. I don't think they could lift one after using their arms all night like that.
WINDRAM: We'll have to cut it up in little pieces for them.
HARRIS: There you go. Well tell them all we said good luck and that we're rooting for them.
WINDRAM: Thank you very much. We appreciate it.
HARRIS: Good luck to all.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com