A South African adventurer has taken it in his stride to take on a trek for a good cause.

Gerhard Moolman, 53, a fearless adrenaline junkie, launched his one-man rowing expedition across the Atlantic Ocean to raise critical funds for a Johannesburg-based organisation providing a lifeline to babies.

Moolman will be rowing 3,600km across the Atlantic to raise more than R200,000 for the Door of Hope Children’s Mission.

“This isn’t just a journey across an ocean. It’s a race against indifference. Every stroke I take is for a child who deserves a chance. This mission goes beyond records – it’s about giving hope,” Moolman said.

He will be rowing from Cape Verde in West Africa to Cayenee in French Guiana and will be relying entirely on his custom-built vessel, Osiyeza, which has been described as a marvel of engineering innovation.

Its development was a collaborative effort with William Fraser as Head Engineer, Ralph Teulings as Lead Constructor, Richard Kohler providing guidance as the vessel’s owner, and Ralph Dill from Cormorant Yachts contributing to its design.

Osiyeza features cutting-edge technology, including a foldable propeller system powered by Moolman’s sheer strength.

“This isn’t just a boat; it’s a partner in one of the toughest challenges nature can throw at us. Weighing 500 kilograms, Osiyeza is built for resilience, prepared to cover over 80 kilometres daily at speeds surpassing 8 km/h,” Moolman said.

He said the reason he chose this beneficiary is because Door of Hope Children’s Mission has saved over 1,600 abandoned babies since its inception.

“When I think about the lives Door of Hope has changed, I know this effort is worth every drop of sweat. These children don’t get to choose their start in life, but together, we can give them a future,” Moolman said.

With sponsorship from the ALTSA Group, Moolman’s journey will be chronicled in real-time, bringing supporters along for the ride. Daily updates, live tracking, and video diaries will capture trip at sea.

“This is a story of hope, perseverance, and the human spirit. I hope that South Africans see this and realise the incredible impact we can have when we pull together,” Mool said.

This adventure will not be his first brush with danger.

In 2002, Moolman earned a Guinness World Record for paddling 6,152 kilometres from Hout Bay to Kenya’s Lamu Island. Now, he’s setting his sights on another historic first: crossing the Atlantic solo using a human-powered system.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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