This is a story about endurance, courage against the odds, and the indomitability of the human spirit. As the world shrinks and the opportunities for adventure diminish, it takes a man of unique vision to be the first person to paddle a kayak solo and unsupported, across the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
After becoming the first and only person to paddle solo the entire circumference of the South African coastline in 2012, Richard Kohler has been training for his next odyssey at a time when self-isolation is the norm. Ocean X is the ultimate solo mission, and after COVID delayed his departure in December 2020, the 52-year-old Capetonian is currently making final preparations and counting down the days to his adventure from Cape Town to Salvador in Brazil.
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“Osiyeza” will be Kohler’s home for the 60 to 80-day paddle. The name derives from SA music legend, Johnny Clegg’s 1993 song “The Crossing,” the literal meaning “we are coming.” The song is about a dream that is within reach, the possibility to cross from darkness and suffering to prosperity and is a reminder to Richard that his dream is within his reach.
Kohler will be leaving from Granger Bay in Cape Town and will be looking for the weather window between December 1 to 10 for his departure. He will be the first person to attempt to paddle a custom kayak across the Southern Atlantic, 7000km. And he’s doing so Lone Ranger, nogal!
The mission is not all about the bragging rights for the Capetonian. Richard is motivated by raising funds for charity, Operation Smile (and to slake the kayaker’s innate lust to paddle across anything larger than a glass of water).
Read also: VIDEO: Adventurer Richard Kohler joins forces with Operation Smile
Operation Smile works towards creating funds for children born with cleft lip/palate to have reconstructive, life-changing surgery. It has been operating for 35 years in 34 countries, with millions of children unable to secure the specialised and costly medical care.
For every R6,000 raised, another child can receive the operation. Richard aims to raise over R100k for these kids.
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.’
Donate to Operation Smile HERE.
Diving into the Ocean X Adventure
Background:
Sailing has always been in Kohler’s blood, beginning his journey at the age of six to later sailing at an international level, including sailing in the 2007 Americas Cup campaign for South Africa aboard the Shosholoza. Sailing 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, Richard has learnt the art of never giving up and nothing will stop this brave man from dipping his toes into the cold Atlantic Ocean yet again.
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The Kayak;
The remarkable aspect of this journey into the unknown is the vessel that will carry Kohler all the way to Brazil. An 8m paddling torpedo allows little leeway to move around after 15 hours and 100km of paddling every day, and every single inch of space needs to be utilised for optimal performance and comfort.
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“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 lighter and easier to manoeuvre. Kohler will also use a custom-made paddle that 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 1 meter 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.” The cramped conditions are one of Kohler’s biggest challenges. Avoiding leg cramp and debilitating salt sores are daily requirements to ensure he remains at optimal levels to complete his task.
Power Up:
From the outside, there is a large array of solar panels with the two forward side panels to present better solar absorption of the sun for drinking water. Research indicates that having enough electrical power to make water is one of the highest priorities. In Kohler’s survival of this mammoth task that awaits him; water equals life.
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Nutrition and Hydration:
Kohler will need to stay hydrated and will consume at least 6 litres of water a day. He will consume mainly freeze-dried food with minimal carbohydrates. As a fat adapted athlete, he will get all his energy from healthy fats like Olive oil, nut butter and raw nuts and keep his body in a state of Ketosis (fat burning).
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Kohler will have no supporting safety boat and is expected to paddle an average of 15 hours per day. He will have to schedule a time to eat, drink and rest to ensure his body receives enough nutrition and rest to recover from the physical exertion.
Route:
Kohler will depart Cape Town and head in a North Westerly direction, benefiting from the prevailing South Easterly wind off the Cape coast. He will then head in a Westerly direction once he is in line with Walvis Bay in Namibia. The wind will be behind him as he crosses the Atlantic and heads North of Rio to Salvador where he will complete his journey.
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Communications:
SMD Africa Marine are Richards on the water communication partners. Richard’s Surfski will have the Thales Vessel LINK using the Iridium Certus network of satellites which can send and receive data.
This will mean Richard will be able to send images, short video’s, check the weather forecasts and emails daily. Richard will also have a satellite phone for voice calls and texts in case of emergencies. SMD has sponsored the data for both units, bringing Richard’s adventure to life for supporters who can follow his progress on social media.
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SMD has also brought McMurdo onboard with several essential safety devices including an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Personal Locating Beacon (PLB) which is a small device that is permanently attached to his lifejacket and an AIS Man Overboard (MOB) device which when activated transmits a message containing your position and ID via AIS (Automatic Identification System) that can be detected by all AIS equipped vessels within range.
Proud Sponsors:
Highbury Media (Cape {town} Etc), ALTSA, SMD Africa Marine, Seaport Supply, Aerontec, Powersol, Sicomin, Further Composites, Phil Southwell Designs, Victron Energy SA, Solbian, AST Group, McMurdo, Link Engineering, Cableman, Forever Fresh, Buttanut, Carb Smart, Revive.
“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,” says Gerhard Moolman, CEO of ALTSA.
Cape {town} Etc will be following Richard all the way to Salvador. Stay tuned for the epic adventure…
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Picture: Supplied