This ultra-endurance athlete sets sights on a Hawaiian channel

In the heart of the Pacific, a 42 km channel between Molokai and Oahu sets the stage for Nick Pelletier's next challenge.

And the Kelowna ultra-endurance athlete will be armed with nothing more than swim trunks, a cap, goggles, and earplugs.

It's poised to pose a challenge surpassing his record-breaking attempt to swim the length of Okanagan Lake in 2023.

Despite being half the length of the 106 km Okanagan journey, the ocean presents a distinctive array of difficulties, from its unforgiving saltwater and dynamic tides to the boundless expanse of the open sea.

Head-on currents could stop him in his tracks, while prolonged salt water exposure can eat away at ones tongue.

That comes alongside a bountiful aquatic ecosystem, ripe with sharks, jellyfish, and a plethora of marine life.

To keep safe, Pelletier's team will be armed with tools such as a shark shield, which sends out electro pulses to ward off the predator.

"On paper it is supposed to help keep the sharks away," he said, "but we'll see."

The challenges of an ocean swim, according to Pelletier, go beyond just the physical. But he's not daunted.

With an experienced crew by his side and a weather window ranging from March 18 to 25, he's ready to take on whatever Mother Nature throws his way.

In fact, Pelletier sees every challenge as an opportunity.

"I always want to be solution-oriented, not problem-focused," he says. "As things come up, you deal with them but you never get panicked."

And what does he hope to achieve?

"Ideally, I want to make it through safe as this is my first open water endeavor," he shares. "This is gaining credibility as an ultra-endurance athlete and hopefully this will lead to bigger projects."

But at the heart of it all, Pelletier's motivation comes from the thrill of pushing himself to the limit.

"It’s what I live for," he said, "being in those situations and pushing myself and challenging myself against mother nature and my own abilities."

By doing so, Pelletier is able to reach those "10 out of 10 moments in life" that don't come along everyday.

"For me, I get to those moments by doing things like this."

Pelletier will be documenting his swim on Instagram.