24 Hour Paddling Record Attempt about to Launch

[Editor: Simon Blackburn is one of the friendliest, most unassuming people I've met - yet this is a man with a vision that will see him tackle a two year voyage around Africa next year - paddling a ski to raise awareness of AIDS.  By way of a precursor, he's about to attempt the 24 hour paddling record - starting on Sunday about 4pm.

 

Sponsored Ski

I was chatting to Oscar about the record attempt.  "Yes, I know," said Oscar, "he's using my black beauty (the 8kg Epic V10E) to do it.  The last time I gave him some equipment he broke both the ski and the paddle!"

I asked Simon about this and he told me the sad story. "It was a very traumatic day for me," he said.  "I picked up a brand new ski and paddle from Oscar at about midday and went to do a downwind paddle with Barry Lewin and Abbey Medima.  They were in a double and got taken out by the surf at Umhloti."

"I was busy laughing at them," he went on ruefully, "when another wave took me out!  I made the mistake of trying to hang onto the ski and ended up breaking both it AND the paddle.  So I had my sponsored equipment for about three hours!" 

I met Simon in Cape Town last year and had the pleasure of paddling with him a couple of times - including one memorable trip out to Cape Point on a stunningly beautiful day. Through the friendly exterior I could see the steely determination that drives him.  We'll be covering both this 24 hour record attempt and the Africa Circumnavigation.

Here's the press release on the attempt on the 24 hour record...]

 

Simon Blackburn prepares to set world 24 hour ski paddling record

Durban - Kayaker and explorer Simon Blackburn will attempt to break the world record for 24 hour surf ski paddling this weekend as part of a bid to raise awareness of the AIDS crisis facing Africa.

The 40 year old Durbanite plans to set off from a safety boat 50 kilometres off Richards Bay late on Sunday afternoon, and hopes to get close to Port Shepstone by Monday evening, a distance of approximately 250 kilometres.

The current Guinness World record was set by American surf ski endurance paddler Randy Fine in 1986, when he covered 194,1 kilometres in 24 hours.

"I am well prepared, but I would be a liar if I said wasn't nervous," said Blackburn. "There are butterflies in my stomach, and I just want to get started now, and I am thrilled that the right weather conditions have finally arrived."

Computer Models Forecast Optimum Weather

Blackburn, who has been training extensively to condition himself for the bid to extend that mark, has been watching the computerized weather models for the optimal conditions to assist him in his attempt at a new Guinness world record.
"The computer models show that a solid north easterly weather pattern will be in place, which will create the ideal downwind conditions for the record attempt," said Blackburn.

Blackburn will be accompanied by a support craft throughout the endurance paddle, supported by fellow paddler Marc Germiquet and a small media crew.

Apart from the obvious challenges of fatigue, Blackburn will also have to confront the risks of dehydration, sunburn, blisters and the ever present danger of sharks along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

"The boat skipper Paul Tonks has warned that there is a real threat of sharks, particularly Mako sharks, in the deeper water off the KZN North Coast," said Blackburn. "I have spent literally thousands of hours training, and while I have seen sharks, I have never once had a bad experience with a shark."

 

Biggest Concern is Nutrition

"My biggest concern is nutrition," said Blackburn. "Over the 24 hours I will burn around 12 000 kilocalories, and I can only take in half that amount - 6 000 kilocalories."

The rules governing the record bid set by Guinness allow Blackburn to stop every hour and a half to rest and stretch his legs on the support boat, provided that the boat does not move or drift while he is on board. "That's when I will be eating, things like chocolates, energy bars and sweets."

He will also closely watch his body temperature, there is a risk that he may become hypothermic during the night, should be encounter problems with hypoglaecaemia.

 

HIV/AIDS Awareness - The Africa Challenge 

Blackburn, the son of iconic struggle activist Molly Blackburn, and brother of international sprint canoeist and ski racer Andrew Blackburn, has deliberately shied away from any commercial or fundraising initiatives with his record breaking attempt, but instead he wants to use the gruelling paddle to raise awareness for a two year challenge that he will embark on in 2008 to contribute towards fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The Africa Challenge will involve Blackburn circumnavigating the entire African continent on a surf ski in a controlled and carefully managed campaign to raise awareness of the impact that HIV/AIDS is having on the African continent.

"I want to let people know about the problem we have with HIV Aids, and try and destigmatize it," says Blackburn. "I want people to know that you can live with HIV and you can try and live a healthy life."

"I believe that the HIV Aids issue is stale in people's minds," says Blackburn. "Imagine Wembley stadium. That seats 80 000 people. Now,  think of 36 full stadiums this size. That's how many people died in Africa last year. It's huge, when you hear 2.6 million you think it's a lot, but we don't realise the enormity and affect it has on Africa."

"We need the support from the government to improve and to role out anti-retrovirals," he added. "We need to draw attention to this fact. Small NGO's are trying to put pressure on the government about fight against HIV/AIDS, but we all need to get involved."

Archbishop Tutu - Patron 

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is the Patron of the Africa Challenge, and has endorsed Blackburn's efforts to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic. "We too as Africans are in dangerous and unchartered waters as we face up to the challenges of HIV/AIDS. We cannot afford to become tired in our campaign to overcome it. I wish Simon God speed and a safe journey."

Sports Scientist Tim Noakes has also involved himself in the project and will help monitor Blackburn during the gruelling circumnavigation, that will taken around 22 months, ending just before the Soccer World Cup gets under way in South Africa in June 2010.

Blackburn can be reached for comment on 072 987 1028.