Kayaking Kohler set to conquer Atlantic for charity

Cape Town - In a second attempt, Richard Kohler has officially started his journey to paddle solo on a kayak unsupported for 7 000kms across the Southern Atlantic Ocean, from Cape Town to Brazil, to raise funds for Operation Smile.

He has launched a Givengain fundraising campaign to raise R500 000 for 70 life changing cleft palate operations, giving 70 kids new smiles. Kohler has so far raised R113 086.

The 53-year-old set sail at 9am on Sunday morning in calm conditions.

“Last time I did something this crazy I got attacked by a shark, almost broke my back and smashed my boat in half, but I got there in the end,” he said.

“I became the first person to solo kayak along the entire length of the South African coastline while raising funds.”

I intend surviving the crossing and not only for my personal achievement but I am motivated to help raise funds for Operation Smile once again, a charity that is very close to my heart. For every R5,500 raised another child can receive a 45 min operation and a new smile.

He first attempted the crossing in December 2021 but had to make a detour to Walvis Bay after being out at sea for more than two weeks. This was due to corrosion in his solar panel wiring and resulted in Kohler not being able to charge onboard batteries.

To stay hydrated he will consume at least six litres of water a day and consume mainly freeze-dried food with minimal carbohydrates. As a fat adapted athlete, he will get all his energy from healthy fats like Olive oil, nut butter and raw nuts and keeping his body in a state of Ketosis (fat burning).

Operation Smile’s country manager, Lauren Bright, said: “It is an honour to have someone like Richard choose Operation Smile as his beneficiary and take up such an enormous challenge.”

To donate to his campaign visit https://www.givengain.com/ap/richard-kohler-raising-funds-for-operation-smile-south-africa/

Cape Times