A 7000km journey begins with a single stroke for Cape Town paddler, Richard Kohler, who is due to depart from Granger Bay for Brazil, this morning, in his bid to become the first person to paddle solo and unsupported, by kayak, across the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
Also read: Richard Kohler prepares to kayak solo from Cape Town to Brazil
Kohler first attempted the crossing in December 2021 but had to make a detour to Walvis Bay after being out at sea for more than two weeks.
He is now ready to depart again and is currently looking for a weather window to leave Cape Town.
The departure date and time currently Sunday 18 December at 9am
The 53-year-old is the first person to attempt to paddle a custom kayak across the Southern Atlantic, unsupported and alone. He will be reunited with “Osiyeza” – his home for the next 60 to 80 days.
The aim is to survive the “Crossing” and not just to acquire bragging rights for the latest outlandish watersports adventure but to raise funds for charity, Operation Smile.
Sailing has always been in Kohler’s blood, beginning his journey at the age of six to later sailing at international level, including sailing in the 2007 Americas Cup campaign for South Africa aboard the Shosholoza.
Travelling the equivalent of three times around the globe as a professional yachtsman, in 2012 Kohler became the first person to solo kayak around the entire South African coastline. Having been attacked by a shark during his last mission, having his kayak broken in half and all his equipment stolen.
The adventurer will make the journey in an 8m paddling torpedo, travelling some 100km daily after paddling for 15 hours.
“The design brief was to keep it as close to a traditional Surfski but that it should include a sleeping area that can protect me from the uncompromising elements typical of being out at sea,” says Kohler. The craft is constructed out of carbon fibre making it light and easier to manoeuvre.
Kohler will also use a custom-made paddle which has a longer shaft and CS1 blade which is 260-270cm long to compensate for the width of the kayak.
“The kayak is 8m long and less than 1m at its maximum width. Considering an average shoulder width is around 50cm, it does not leave much room on the inside for me and my gear.”
Gerhard Moolman, CEO of ALTSA, and close friend of Kohler is no stranger to the demands of the open ocean and is excited to sponsor Richard’s mammoth expedition. “ALTSA will cross oceans for their customers,” says Moolman, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest distance on a Surfski. Over 20 years ago, Moolman paddled 6,152km from Hout Bay in South Africa to Lamu in Kenya. “From one adventurer to another I could identify with Richard’s dream, and we are proud to be a presenting partner and help in any way to support Richard’s dream,” he added.
For every R5,500 raised, another child can receive the operation. Richard aims to raise over R385 000 for Operation Smile.
Lauren Bright, Operation Smile’s Country Manager, said, “It is an honour to have someone like Richard Kohler choose Operation Smile as his beneficiary and take up such an enormous challenge, to help raise funds for kids and adults born with a cleft lip and palate – to help change lives; one smile at a time.”
Donations to Operation Smile can be made here
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Picture: Cape{town}Etc Library