• 15th October 2009 - By greg

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Endurance Athletes To Pedal Hi-tech Boat Around Vancouver Island
    Oct. 15, 2009 – One week from now, endurance athletes Greg Kolodziejzyk of
    Calgary and Jordan Hanssen of Seattle, WA will attempt a nautical circumnavigation
    of Vancouver Island, piloting the custom-designed, pedal-powered boat Within on its
    first long-distance ocean voyage. Greg and Jordan will launch Within on Friday, Oct.
    23 from Comox, BC and will travel clockwise around the Island. If successful, this
    voyage will be the first-ever circumnavigation of the Island in a pedal-powered boat.


    The journey is expected to take approximately two weeks to three weeks, depending
    on weather and ocean conditions. British kayaker Sean Morley holds the current
    record for a human-powered trip around the island, completing a counter-clockwise
    paddling trip in 17 days, 4 hours, and 49 minutes in September 2008.

    Greg has previously set 2 human-powered records (land and water) for the longest
    distance traveled in 24 hours. Hanssen was captain of the American team who won
    the trans-Atlantic Ocean Fours rowing race in 2006 and has also cycled coast-to-
    coast in Australia – from Perth to Sydney. Kolodziejzyk’s reason for this arduous
    journey isn’t about entering the record books however.

    “My objective is to demonstrate the amazing things a human being can do under his
    or her own power. I hope to motivate and inspire more people to explore their own
    human-powered potential. It’s good for the environment, it’s essential for our health,
    and sends the right message regarding physical activity to our children.”

    Hanssen says they’ll be expecting the unexpected, “I think Vancouver Island is a
    complex coastline with complex water. I feel confident, but there are definitely a lot of
    things we will learn. As I was once told by a veteran sailor, it’s all about how you
    recover from your first big mistake!”

    The attempt is the duo’s first chance to test the boat in ocean conditions and an
    opportunity to prepare for an even more ambitious journey. Called Pedal The Ocean,
    Kolodziejzyk will attempt a solo Pacific crossing from Victoria to Hawaii, currently
    planned for June 2010.

    Calgary Press Conference – Glenmore Reservoir, 12pm, Wednesday, Oct. 21st.
    Departure Date – Friday, Oct. 23th, Comox, BC. Time: TBA

    -30-
    CONTACT:
    Greg Kolodziejzyk
    403-651-2748
    greg@pedaltheocean.com

    PEDAL THE OCEAN FACT SHEET

    Greg’s state-of-the-art human powered boat was designed by award winning naval
    architect Stuart Bloomfield and human-powered boat engineer Rick Willoughby.
    WiTHiN is 30 feet long by 3 feet wide, weighs 455 lbs, and features a water-tight
    sleeping cabin, cockpit, and storage compartment. WiTHiN will carry enough
    dehydrated food for 100 days at sea. Fresh water will be supplied via electric
    desalination plant powered by solar panels. Greg’s safety equipment includes a
    GPS, Satellite phone, survival suit, emergency life raft, and emergency beacons

    Official Pedal The Ocean website: http://pedaltheocean.com/

  • 3 Comments to “Endurance Athletes To Pedal Hi-tech Boat Around Vancouver Island”

    • Will Nesling on October 25, 2009

      Well Done Gentlemen; I was just wondering why you will go clockwise around island? I thought it might be easier coming down the outside with a tailwind.. btw i am a mechanic,boater and human power enthusiast call 598 8807 anytime if you need support on your quest,i also work for a marine chandler in Victoria best wishes Will Nesling

    • Janetta Wadlow on July 1, 2010

      Interesting concept. I am suprised I didn’t see this on any of the large media sites first.Nicely played!

    • Damon Wenkrik on July 5, 2010

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