NEW YORK: A Polish grandfather left New York Sunday on his third solo trans-Atlantic crossing in a kayak, aiming to arrive in Portugal in time to celebrate his 70th birthday on firm ground in September.
Aleksander Doba paddled off from the tip of Manhattan after doing interviews and posing for selfies with a crowd of some 100 onlookers.
A star at home, Doba gained global attention when he was named a National Geographic adventurer of the year in 2015.
At that point, he already had two solo Atlantic kayak crossings under his belt.
“During the expedition bandits attacked me twice and I was robbed of almost everything,” he said on his website.
On Sunday, he embarked on what he has called his “hardest” journey yet, a 6,000-km crossing through storm zones in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic.
“I know that this will be the toughest of the three,” he said Sunday through a translator.
“The water is cold. There are a lot more currents and storms predicted — this will be interesting.
“I believe now I’m only dealing with nature. I know how to deal with nature and what to expect.”
Regardless of the obstacles, Doba — also an avid rock-climber, parachutist, glider pilot, sailor and yacht skipper — is determined to make it to the Portuguese capital in time to celebrate his 70th birthday on Sept. 9.
“I planned, from the beginning, to make a circle,” Doba said, recalling how he planned his adventure from Europe or Africa to South America, from South America to the United States and from there to Europe. “My dream is to finish this.”
Doba’s 21-foot white and yellow kayak, which he calls “Olo,” was in large part designed by him.
He will be paddling between eight and 12 hours each day — not exactly anyone’s notion of grandpa napping in a rocking chair.
Polish grandpa heads from NY to Portugal... in a kayak
Polish grandpa heads from NY to Portugal... in a kayak
