Photo Credit: Jimmie Hepp. Bart ready to set off on his epic journey
The board of choice for the journey was just a 14 foot Starboard - nothing custom built or far fetched. He didn't have a support boat, and he didn't sleep on the beach at night.
By tying a few inflatable mattresses together Bart was able to catch a few hours sleep a night - in between short swims when his board got flipped over.
The 41 year old kept 7 days worth of freeze dried meals in containers, plus a phone, gps and a few other bits and pieces and that was it. Bart just strapped it to the Starboard and off he went, 5 days at sea alone, with only his SUP.
By his calculations, the trip took 215,000 strokes. No wonder he lost a couple of kg's! Apart from some nasty blisters on his feet which became pretty infected, no other injuries were sustained on the trip which is quite incredible. He said he wasn't even sore on the Monday after the paddle!
Bart's wife and daughter met him on the beach just before dark, he arrived in good shape but said, 'This was by far the hardest thing I've done in my life, I'm glad I did it but I don't think I'll do it again.'
At www.seabreeze.com.au you can join the forums, introduce yourself to the friendly community, and make your way down to a demo day.You won't regret it, and neither will your body & mind!
3 Comments
Why can't all the Kiwis in Aus get on a Starboard and paddle 215000 strokes back to where they come from.
ReplyGood on you mate , a lot of people could not comprehend how difficult your achievement would have been
Replymusic theme from JAWS
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