The ocean has a unique way of forging character, transforming personal ambition into profound charitable purpose, and demanding a level of physical and mental commitment that few activities can match. For dedicated watermen like Mark Schulein, the rhythm of the paddle is not just about covering distance; it is a guaranteed path to fitness, mental clarity, and the deep, immersive experience we call the flow state. Mark, a stalwart of the Southern California paddle community, has spent decades pushing his physical limits, but his most memorable adventures are the ones where the mileage serves a mission far greater than himself. His story is a powerful testament to the idea that when you commit your energy to helping others, you unlock reserves of strength you never knew existed. We dive into the stories behind his most grueling and rewarding challenges, exploring how he uses the ocean to achieve peak performance while giving back to the community he holds dear.
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From Shortboard Kid to Endurance Titan: Mark Schulein’s Ocean Roots
Mark’s journey began not with a paddle, but with a traditional shortboard, growing up in the heart of Newport Beach’s vibrant surf culture. Like many kids in the area, he was a dedicated surfer, spending endless hours chasing waves and learning the nuances of the local breaks. However, a pivotal moment arrived when his East Coast parents, who viewed surfing as less than a serious sport, issued a clear directive: if he wanted to drive at sixteen, he needed to commit to a “real sport” during his high school years. This parental push led him reluctantly to water polo at Corona del Mar High School, an institution renowned for its aquatic programs and Olympic-level coaching staff. While the fast-paced, aggressive nature of water polo wasn’t his natural fit, the intense training forced him to become an accomplished swimmer, building a foundational level of endurance that would prove invaluable later in life.
It was during these rigorous training sessions that Mark first encountered the rescue prone paddleboards used by the lifeguards, realizing almost immediately that this was where his true aquatic strength lay. While he might have been mid-pack in the pool, on the prone board, he was suddenly near the front, finding a rhythm that felt intuitive and powerful. This discovery coincided with his college years when he first witnessed the grueling Catalina Classic, solidifying his goal to complete the legendary 32-mile crossing. Mark finally completed his first Catalina race in 1996 on a heavy, hand-shaped board, an experience that cemented his passion for long-distance paddling. This early foundation of fitness and competitive drive set the stage for a lifetime of ocean pursuits, transforming him from a reluctant high school athlete into one of the most respected endurance paddlers in the community, constantly seeking new ways to challenge his body and mind.
The Ultimate Ocean Triathlon: Finding Flow in the Catalina Channel
One of the most unique and demanding challenges Mark participates in is the annual Cali’s Cause Paddle/Run/Paddle, an event he describes as truly one of his favorite adventures. This three-day odyssey is not a race, but a grueling test of endurance and community spirit, honoring Ryan Addison’s daughter, Callie, who lives with Dravet Syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The structure of the event is deceptively simple but physically brutal: paddle 26 miles from the mainland to Catalina Island on Friday, run the notoriously difficult Catalina Marathon (26.2 miles of vertical trail running) on Saturday, and then paddle back to the mainland on Sunday. It sounds daunting, yet Mark emphasizes that the event’s success lies in its communal, non-competitive spirit, fostering a deep sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
The journey over is spent “talking story” with fellow paddlers, moving as a supportive group rather than a frantic field of racers. This focus on connection allows for a profound sense of shared flow, where the burden of the distance is lifted by the collective energy of the group. Mark fondly recalls the established tradition of the mid-channel stop, where Joe Bark pulls out Kentucky Fried Chicken buckets to share with everyone, a moment of surreal humor and deep bonding that perfectly encapsulates the event’s ethos. However, the true test comes on the third day, paddling back across the channel with muscles stiff and fatigued from the marathon, demanding absolute mental fortitude to complete the final leg. It is during these moments of physical exhaustion that the charitable focus takes over, transforming the struggle from a personal effort into a powerful act of giving. Knowing that every stroke raises money for Callie’s Cause shifts the mind’s focus away from the pain, providing a powerful, external motivation that recharges the body and guides him home.
Embracing the Witching Hour: 24 Hours of Sustained Flow for Charity
Mark’s commitment to charitable endurance reached new heights through his participation in the Monster and Sea 24-Hour Paddle, an event designed to raise funds for families battling cancer. Mark and his Team Newport crew rotate through hourly shifts, paddling continuously for a full day and night. While the daytime hours are busy, Mark admits that his favorite time—the period where he experiences the deepest ocean flow state—is during the “witching hour,” spanning from midnight to 5 a.m. During this time in the calm, protected waters of Newport Bay, the world falls away, the conditions become “buttery,” and the rhythmic motion of paddling offers a unique kind of mental cleansing.
This sustained, uninterrupted time on the water allows him to push his personal boundaries, often combining prone and stand-up paddling with his surf ski to log over 60 miles during the 24-hour period. This deep endurance flow state is not about speed, but about sustained, meditative effort, connecting him completely with the water and the quiet purpose of his effort. The motivation to keep pushing comes directly from the mission itself; the event’s mantra, “Go because you can,” resonates deeply when he considers the families they are supporting. The reward for this grueling effort is immediate and impactful, as Mark and his team personally deliver the funds raised directly to families in need, an experience he describes as incredibly powerful and humbling. This direct connection between his physical effort and the tangible positive outcome solidifies the value of the flow he finds in these long, dark hours on the water.
The Unbeatable High: Why Endurance Paddling is Pure Mental Cleansing
For Mark, and for many seasoned water athletes, the draw of endurance paddling is fundamentally spiritual and psychological. Unlike the unpredictable nature of surfing, ocean paddling offers a guarantee: a guaranteed workout, guaranteed time in the water, and guaranteed mental clarity. Mark views his long-distance paddles and runs as a form of “mental cleansing,” a necessary ritual that resets his entire perspective. He jokingly notes that his wife often observes that he is “so much nicer” after a super long paddle, confirming the therapeutic effect of rhythmic motion and immersion in the ocean environment.
This guaranteed flow state is what makes paddle sports so essential to his life; it is a way to maintain a state of physical and mental readiness, allowing him to be available for whatever adventure or challenge arises next. Whether contrasting the technical “moguls” of the Molokai Channel—an aspiration he hopes to tackle this year on a surf ski and prone board—with the flat water “slalom” of the Catalina Classic, every stroke serves a greater purpose than just competition. The ultimate goal, Mark explains, is longevity and sustained health, setting a personal challenge to be fitter at fifty