AROUND SA
The first person in history to kayak the entire South African coastline solo, a 70‑day, 3,300 km journey around the Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastline, from Alexander Bay to the Mozambique border.
In October 2012, Richard Kohler set out to become the first person to kayak solo around the entire South African coastline, a route that traces the full perimeter of the country, from the cold Atlantic waters of the West Coast, around the Cape, and up the warmer Indian Ocean coast to the Mozambique border.
What followed was 70 days of paddling into headwinds, riding the Agulhas current, launching through breaking surf, and sleeping wherever the coastline allowed, supported on land by a small, dedicated team while Richard did the work alone on the water. Along the way he crossed paths with sharks, whales and dolphins, and dealt with strong currents, big swell and stretches of restricted coastline, all recorded in real time in the paddling updates below.
The expedition raised funds and awareness for Operation Smile, a cause Richard has carried through every major expedition since. On 24 February 2013, after 3,300 km, he stepped ashore at Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique, the first person in history to complete the journey.
THE JOURNEY, DAY BY DAY
14 dispatches from the water · October 2012 – February 2013
Around SA was Richard’s first solo expedition. He went on to complete the Breede River SUP, the Breede Non-Stop, and the 6,403 km Southern Atlantic crossing.
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