About Us	Search	Advertising

	Brought to you by:

HELDERBERG'S solo adventurer, author and motivational speaker - Riaan Manser, who is the only person to have circumnavigated Africa on a bicycle, will later this month attempt another world first - paddle around Madagascar (the fourth largest island in the world) on a kayak.

Always looking for an adventure and a fresh challenge Riaan began planning this trip shortly after returning home (in December 2005) from his epic cycle tour of more than two years around the African continent.

After this amazing feat he wrote his first book, "Around Africa on my Bicycle" - which has been a travel best seller for the last six months.

He will again undertake this expedition, alone and unaided and besides about 10 litres of water, some dried fruit and vitamins he plans to catch fish and live off the sea.

He's not doing any of this to raise money for some or other charity, or for fame and glory, his main reason is so that one day his children and grandchildren will remember him as a legend of a man who achieved incredible things in his lifetime.

His new adventure begins at the town of Mahajanga on Madagascar's north eastern coast and from here he will paddle in a clockwise direction for about 5 000 kilometres before returning to the same point.

He estimate this voyage will take him between 10 and 12 months - depending on the sea and weather conditions.

He will undertake the trip on a unique custom built hybrid kayak made by Paddleyak in Cape Town.

"Ultimate adventure boat"
Johan Loots, the owner of Paddleyak and designer of Riaan's kayak, said that this was an ultimate adventure boat and that a lot of thinking and planning went into its making.

"We had to sacrifice a little speed when designing this five metre kayak to make it ideal for this trip. The end results is a comfortable well balanced kayak which has sufficient storage space.

"The most notable feature on this kayak is the rocker - the extended curved nose of the vessel designed to break through big surf, make it more stable and easier to steer.

It is also self draining and an extremely versatile vessel and one I'm positive will stand up to the rigours of this trip," Johan said.

Johan who is himself a veteran paddler who has undertaken many long paddling trips all over the world including a number around the African coastline believes that the elements and loneliness will be the toughest obstacles for Riaan to overcome.

"Besides the constant baking hot sun, strong winds and sitting in sea water for hours on end Riaan must ensure that he does not become dehydrated and take all precautions he can to prevent all sorts of tropical diseases such as Malaria and others."

'Giant paddle across a pond'
"Some areas along the Madagascar coastline will be like a gentle paddle across a pond and at other times Riaan will encounter huge surf which on some days will make paddling impossible and he may have to wait a day or two before he can get going again, but with time on his side I believe he will be able to complete the trip," Johan said.

Riaan understands only too well the dangers that await him and although a little nervous of what lies waiting for him he is also very excited and can't wait to pit his mental and physical strengths against the Madagascar elements.

"Like my cycling trip, not completing what I set out to do is not an option.

"I plan to start paddling early each morning, if the sea and weather allow it as I have immense respect for the sea . I hope to paddle between six to eight hours a day before I come to shore to look for fresh water and other necessary supplies.

"I'm sure I'll be able to catch enough fish to survive but I'll have to eat a lot of them sushi style and also dry some of them out. I know the island has a lot of fruit growing on it and I'm sure I'll be able to get some from villagers.

"I will have a special type of patch with me which in an emergency I can use to patch up my kayak if it gets damaged, so that won't be a problem.

"Also the Madagascan people speak French, which I learned to speak on my cycling trip, so I'm sure I'll be able to communicate with them.

"I know there will times when the sea will be too rough to paddle and other times I'll be unable to beach and will have to stay on my kayak for the night - but I'm looking forward to everything that comes my way.

The cycle trip around Africa was mostly funded by Riaan's own savings and Windhoek Lite.

This time he is in a far better position with Windhoek Lager as his main sponsor together with a host of other sponsors who have contributed with funds, equipment and accessories.

While paddling around the island Riaan will make himself available for media interviews via a satelite phone once a week.

He will also have with him a laptop to write updates about the trip for various publications and for his own website www.africa365.co.za.

	Back to top
© Tel. (021) 853-0211 Fax. (021) 853-0234 2003 Somerset Press (Pty) Ltd on all information and photographs.