After cycling the 37 000 km circumference of Africa through 34 countries and kayaking 5000 kms around Madagascar, Riaan Manser and newbie voyager, Dan Skinstad, have mapped out a third limit-thrashing expedition.
Riaan and Dan will conquer Iceland’s coastline of 4800 km on a kayak without aid, circumnavigating the entire island. The duo will have to rely on their survival instincts to source food and water, restore any potential damage their kayak may incur, and negotiate the many challenges they will come across, such as gruelling weather conditions and finding a place to dock every night.
While Riaan is a seasoned adventurer, the trip will be new terrain for Dan and an opportunity to exceed the physical limitations set by his mild cerebral palsy.
The pair arrived in Iceland yesterday morning. Their adventure should take 115 days. Manser, however, is in no rush: his determination to successfully complete the journey overrides the need to make time. He is single-minded about helping his friend paddle toward this great achievement and keen to add new tales to his enthralling memory box. Their kayak, named Inspiration, is a totem of the indomitable pledge.
The trip will be documented and produced by travel foodie, Justin Bonello. The exotic dishes of small furry animals and insects that kept Manser from starvation must have tickled Bonello’s taste for outdoor flavour. The documentary will be titled Around Iceland on Inspiration.
After months of rigorous training, the two will set off in the next few days with nothing but a float boat, some paddles, instinct, brute perseverance and happy thoughts.
