At 50 years old, Carlos Hebert Plante is once again embarking on a doable mission that could literally break all ice.
The man who became famous after being "discovered" by SurferToday in the early 2010s is back with an ambitious plan wave-riding plan.
The bodyboarder from Montreal's Habitat 67 wants to ride a wave every single day for three years - 1096 days straight, to be exact - all while filming every ride on his GoPro.
Mission 1096 started on January 1, 2024, and will end on December 31, 2026.
Carlos "The Handboarder" Hebert is raising the expectations because this isn't just about personal achievement.
It's a campaign to introduce and popularize bodyboarding in Canada, a country that, despite its love for outdoor sports, does not have a well-known tradition of catching waves on a bodyboard.
Back in 2015-2016, Carlos challenged himself to ride a wave every day for a full year - mission accomplished.
But with his 50th birthday approaching, he's setting the bar even higher with this new three-year journey, hoping to put bodyboarding on Canada's sporting map in a big way.
"I want to show Canada what they're missing," Carlos told SurferToday.com.
"While kids in ocean-side communities around the world have been bodyboarding for over 50 years, in Canada, few have even tried it. I want to change that."
Carlos dreams of making bodyboarding an official sport in Canadian schools.
He envisions kids bodyboarding in pools, lakes, and rivers - anywhere with water - just like they play hockey on frozen ponds in winter.
"Bodyboarding brings so much joy, and it's such a fantastic workout. There's no reason kids shouldn't be learning it here, too," he adds passionately.
While Canadians are more familiar with water sports like surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), bodyboarding has never taken off in the Great White North.
The Personal Dream
So, although bodyboarding may be virtually unknown in Canada, Carlos believes he could be the vehicle that gives the sport its moment.
"I want to inspire a new generation of bodyboarders here."
And it's not just about the kids. Carlos also has his eyes set on something big for himself: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame invites organizations to nominate deserving athletes and builders for induction.
Once submitted, nominations stay active for three selection cycles, eliminating the need for annual resubmission.
Carlos has been nominated in 2024 for a three-year streak in the builder category, i.e., people who have consistently contributed to the development of a sport for a sustained period.
Therefore, Hebert has been encouraged to "go big" to earn a spot among Canada's sporting legends.
And this 1096-day dream is his ticket.
A Wave in an Unexpected Place
Besides British Columbia's Tofino, the surfing capital of Canada, the second largest country is not exactly a hotspot for wave riding.
But Carlos knows better.
He's found Habitat 67, a unique surf break just 15 minutes from home, ranging from small and playful to technical, big ice-filled waves in winter.
"People are surprised by the river waves here," Carlos explains.
"They're different from ocean waves, but just as fun - and in some cases, even harder to catch!"
Carlos has a broad perspective, having grown up riding waves in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California.
Now, he's discovering that river waves in Canada can be just as exhilarating.
From 1 to 10-minute rides, these standing waves are so unusually addictive Carlos believes they will wow even professional bodyboarders used to the ocean.
Challenge Yourself
Carlos is fully aware that his mission will be tough. Riding waves in Canada's often frigid waters is no small feat.
"Nobody will copy this mission - it's just too cold!" he laughs.
But for Carlos, the freezing temperatures are part of the self-motivation and the reward.
By pushing himself through harsh winters and long summers, the Quebec rider is showing just how far passion can take you.
His ultimate goal? To make bodyboarding a fairly recognized sport in Canada and secure his place in the Hall of Fame as a pioneer.
Fair enough.
"It's a big mission," he admits, "but I'm ready."
"Waves are often shared among surfers, and the local surfing community has always welcomed me to bodyboard."
"On some days, there might be 100 surfers and just one bodyboarder in the water. I haven't told anyone yet about my Hall of Fame mission because it hasn't been officially announced."
With each wave he rides, Hebert Plant is making a statement: bodyboarding has room to evolve in Canada.
And by the end of his 1096-day journey, the country might just be ready to agree.
Keep following Carlos' incredible journey on SurferToday.com as he rides his way into Canadian sports history, one cold wave at a time.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com