Man paddles 6,000-mile long ‘Great Loop' by canoe, passes through Grand Strand
Meet 23-year-old Peter Frank. He's spent the last seven months on the water coming from Michigan and still has about 10 months to go.
'I really don't have any moments where I think, like, I can't do it,' Frank said. 'Like this is, yeah, this is it.'
Frank's words, passion for exploring and paddle are just a few of the things he holds close.
He's on a mission to complete what's known as the 'Great Loop.'
It's a marathon trip by water that most take by boat going counterclockwise, with the current.
But he decided he wanted to try it the hard way and go the opposite direction. He says only two people have ever successfully done it before.
'And when you do it in that direction, everything is against you' he said 'There's nothing about it that is easier. So, I just really wanted to see if it's still possible.'
When Frank was 14 years old, he was hit by a car severely injuring his back.
Since he graduated high school, he's unicycled across the country, gone backpacking and is now trying his most challenging test yet.
'I'm learning a lot,' he said. 'This is my college, this is my education and my teacher. I learn everything that I need to by paddling this canoe, ironically. I think nature is one of the best teachers in the world.'
Frank says he spent two years preparing for his trip. He says had to get creative to become completely self-sufficient on a 65-pound canoe. 285 pounds worth of equipment to be exact.
Everything from food, water, tents, sleeping bags and the pirate-style clothes he makes on his own.
'I don't think I'm a good role model for minimalism,' he said. 'I carry quite a bit with me.'
Frank says the best part is the many people he meets almost every day. And because he's so self-sufficient he doesn't have or want to rely on others.
'I didn't set that up because I don't like seeing other people,' he said. 'I set that up because I want my only reason to see other people to be for genuine interaction, to like actually learn from people. Not because I need anybody.'
But Frank says many who are retired military offer their home and a place to sleep. Through that, he's encountered hundreds, maybe thousands and shared stories and different life experiences.
He says there's one thing he hears the most often.
'I wish I would have done that when I was your age.' he said.
At 23-years-old, Frank has lived a lifetime of much more than his age. So next time you're on the waterway, listen closely because you may find this young explorer passing by.
'When you live in a canoe, such things do not matter, like time and the day of the week, but rather the stroke of the paddle,' he said. 'These are the things that are very important.'
Frank says even through all of his hardships, he wants you to know anything is possible.
If you'd like to track Frank on his adventures, click .
* * *
Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work, here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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