Mr Bourgeois travelled to Auckland often for work and gravitated to the North Shore and its waterfront.
Recently he spotted Coromandel from the shore and the idea for the gruelling four-day water trek was born.
Mr Bourgeois worked out the distance from Takapuna Beach to the Coromandel was about 60km and "do-able".
"I thought if I could do that, I could go to Opito Bay on the other side of the peninsula, that's almost 55km, then there's 55km to Whangamata and another 55km to Mount Maunganui."
Mr Bourgeois has always loved the sea since learning to surf as a child.
He has been paddleboarding for 13 years and has no fear of deep water. His passion for paddleboarding was strengthened because his chronic back pain was eased when he paddled.
Mr Bourgeois would be joined by marine enthusiast Nathan Pettigrew, who will kayak alongside as support.
Mr Bourgeois' wife and daughter will meet them both at designated pit stops to camp for the night before the men head out again at first light.
"The big thing will be making sure the weather's good. We won't go unless we can make it in the weather conditions," Mr Bourgeois said.
The first day across the Hauraki Gulf would be the hardest because the tides were so strong, he said.
"It's going to be a killer. Getting up to do the successive days after that will be a challenge. I expect to be pretty sore. It's just me on a board with a single paddle as my engine.
"Hopefully I can put my order in for a westerly wind," he joked.
Mr Bourgeois said he regularly set goals and this was a significant one for him. The men planned to begin on February 23, weather permitting.
Mr Pettigrew said Mr Bourgeois' drive was incredible and seeing him use the ocean for health and fitness - mentally and physically - was an inspiration.
"I had to get behind it and offer support because it's something I can relate to. But this isn't about me, this is his story, his idea and his journey, and it's a privilege for me to be a part of it."
The men will carry GPS tracking and liaise with Coastguard about their movements during the journey and will carry safety gear in the kayak.
What is stand-up paddleboarding?
Stand-up paddleboarding involves standing on a large surfboard-shaped hull, and using a single-bladed paddle to propel yourself forward.
The boards are highly stable - anyone from 5 to 75 can enjoy this sport. Stand-up paddleboarding is extremely good exercise, particularly for the all-important core area of stomach and lower back.
Source - www.paddleboarding.co.nz
