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Canadian adventurer Don Starkell passes away

Canadian adventurer Don Starkell passes away

THE Canadian adventurer Don Starkell, who held the record for the longest journey by canoe, has passed away. He was 79.

In 1980, Mr. Starkell announced that he was going to canoe from his home city of Winnipeg to the Amazon.

He and his two sons, Dana and Jeff, set-off in a 21ft. canoe in what was to be a two-year odyssey.

Their journey initially took them down the Red River and the Mississippi before heading out to sea. By the time they reached Mexico Mr. Starkell’s younger son Jeff had decided to pull-out of the project. But Mr. Starkell and his other son continued.

Their adventure was to be fraught with difficulties and dangers. Paddling for up to 12 hours a day the father and son at times had to battle through huge waves. During their adventure they capsized 15 times and holed their canoe on 45 occasions.

When ashore they faced other dangers. On one occasion while camping on a beach in Honduras, soldiers threatened to shoot them.

They completed the 19,500-kilometre journey in May 1981 having visited 13 countries. 

At first, officials at the Guinness Book of World Records did not accept the Starkells’ claims about the journey, but relented after being presented with documentary evidence.

Mr. Starkell went on to other adventures including a bid to kayak through the Norhwest Passage which ended in him having to be rescued after he suffered frostbite.

It was estimated that Mr. Starkell had paddled more than 120,000 kilometres during his many adventures.

To view an interview with Don Starkell, click here.

 

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