Big5Kayak Paddle Past 500 Mile Half-Way Point
As of Wednesday 8th July 2009, the Big5Kayak Team have made excellent progress in what is the 5th and final stage of this challenge – the half-way point has been passed. Despite storm force 7 winds, waves of almost 4 metres, the team’s first ‘swimmer’ who was pitched into the icy cold Alaskan waters and a close encounter with a pod of killer whales, over 500 miles of unsupported expedition kayaking up The Inside Passage have been completed. Just over £5,385.50 has been raised for MHF’s Muscle Dreams™ programme.
“This kayaking expedition will be the most challenging of the 5 with the team covering over 30 miles a day unsupported, paddling alongside orcas and camping rough in bear country”, said Aisling Ni Chuinn, Joint Expedition Leader.
Help the Big5Kayak Team reach their target of £10,000
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Follow the Big5Kayak Team’s progress online using the LIVE SPOT GPS tracker – CLICK HERE to see exactly where the team is located or click the screen-grab image below:
Ahead of the three main paddlers lies a further 530 miles to the finishing point at Muir Glacier in Alaska. The long days of paddling have brought their fair share of trails and tribulations. To give visitors an insight, the excerpt below is taken from the teams 3rd Expedition Update:
The posting was titled: ‘A Baptism of Rain and Tides’
[Since departing Bella Bella on Saturday morning, tides and currents have hampered progress. With average speed now down to 3 miles per hour, paddling time has increased to an average of 10 hours per day] - one of the paddlers who is a member of Irelands National Canoe Polo Team, Aisling Ni Quinn commented, “It is heartbreaking when you are paddling maybe 5 miles and hour but losing 2 to 3 miles and hour to the tide. Unfortunately, the demanding schedule means we don’t always have the time to wait for tides to turn, paddling against the tide has become a daily event”.
Click here to read the latest update posted on 1st July 2009 titled “A Warm Alaskan Welcome”
The three members paddling the entire distance from Port Hardy to Muir Glacier are:
- Richard Harpham (Level 3 kayak coach & general outdoors man)
- Aisling Ni Quinn (Ireland canoe polo representative, level 3 kayak coach)
- Geoff Tilford (Former Team GB kayak sprinter)
Other members who have joined the expedition along the way are:
- Ollie Jay (Sea kayak guide)
- Dave Gordon (Ex pole-vaulter, now kayaker, incredibly took up the sport 10 months ago)
- Rob Bates (Viking kayak Club Chairman, level 3 kayak coach)
As you might expect, the team prepared thoroughly – prior to leaving the UK, their programme included attending a Wilderness Medical Training and a Far From Help medical crash course, culminating in a personal skills and drills Survival Weekend on the Farne Islands with Ollie Jay of Active4Seasons.
Pictured above, Michael McGrath with all members of the Big5Kayak Challenge Team as well as supporters at the Outdoor Show held this year at the NEC in Birmingham.
The team is hoping to raise £10,000 for The Muscular Help Foundation, specifically for the charities Muscle Dreams™ programme.
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About Muscle Dreams™
These can cost anywhere between £250 to for example £5000 – The Muscular Help Foundation (MHF) is unable to fund every single Muscle Dream™ nomination received – if you or your company would like to either help us raise further funds so we can deliver more Muscle Dreams™ or perhaps sponsor s specific Muscle Dream™, you can contact us via email or phone the charity directly on +44 (0) 1763 274658.
About Michael McGrath
Michael is the co-founder of The Muscular Help Foundation. He has muscular dystrophy, the single biggest genetic killer of children in the world today. It is a relentless and unforgiving disease, robbing sufferers of their mobility, independence and finally for those with the most severe form, predominantly children, their lives.
Since being diagnosed over 20 years ago, Michael is no longer able to walk as a direct result of muscle deterioration. He uses a powered wheelchair which he himself lightheartedly refers to as his ‘chariot’ which enables him to travel extensively around the UK and overseas in his capacity as a sought after motivational speaker.
Despite his own severe physical limitations, Michael paradoxically walked into the history books in January 2004 by becoming the only disabled person in the world to have successfully led expeditions to both the North and South Poles.
From the press office of The Muscular Help Foundation
Registered Charity No. 1096716
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