What separated this challenge from the previous two challenges was that David Grier undertook this challenge by himself.
Says Grier now a 49 year old father of four …“I decided on a multi discipline event as I wanted to involve aspects that would challenge me in a different way. The ocean has always played a massive part in my life from a young age; it’s intrigued me, yet terrified me and has my utmost respect. By including the paddle, I feel this will be my most difficult challenge yet as paddling is a relatively new sport to me so I am going to have to dig really deep.”
The challenge commenced in the midst of the annual monsoon season in December 2010, saw Grier make the 500km paddle from Mozambique to Madagascar in 11 days.
After continuous rain, the island was now not much drier than the ocean and Grier‘s mammoth run attempt was now challenged by much flooding, infrequent drinkable water and vast stretches of uninhabited mountains and jungle.
Running at a pace of a marathon a day for 66 days and 2700 km; Grier finally reached Cape D’Ambre; the northern most point of Madagascar and the end of his epic journey. Riddled with Bilharzia, Dengue fever and an intestinal infection and weighing only 68 Kg’s Grier admitted this was his hardest challenge to date.
On returning to Madagascar 6 months after the event; David and his family and challenge cameraman and media manager - Nick Heygate, were invited members of the Operation Smile Madagascar surgical mission where almost 200 children received their God given right to a smile. Says Grier; “What a privilege it is to be part of this foundation and to see the difference it makes.”
Once again this challenge could not have been managed if it were not for my support team and sponsors
Hamish Horrel, Nick Heygate, Ros Walsh and the Crew of the Ocean Adventurer, and the Madagascan drivers Daniel and Liva.
Together with the assistance of Sponsors;
Cipla, Adidas, Santam, Spar, Kaskazi Kayaks, Pick n Pay and Liberty Life.