Mekong paddle record attempt
PHUKET: Phuket resident Patrick Gasiglia will attempt to create a world record for going down the section of Mekong River bordering Thailand on a stand up paddle board.
Tuesday 20 December 2011, 03:31PM
He will attempt the task in September 2012, in memory of his mother whose ashes were scattered in the Mekong River 15 years ago according to wishes in her will.
“My mother liked this river very much,” said Gasiglia. “She is in there. I'll paddle with her.”
His journey will be more than 1000 kilometres long (about a quarter of the more than 4000km total distance) starting from Chiang Khan City in Loei Province, to Khong Chiam in eastern Ubon Rachathani Province, where the river flows into Laos territory.
The trip will take between two to four weeks, during September, when the rate of flow of the Mekong River is almost at its maximum. This will bring a greater challenge to Gasiglia as the current will flow faster and be considerably more dangerous.
Having lived in Phuket for 20 years, Gasiglia has been involved in many different types of water sports. In his daily life, his is mainly involved in PADI diving, windsurfing and catamaran instructing.
In between however, he still finds time to pursue his extreme lifestyle on the water; splashing around on a jet-ski, Hobie Cat (a small catamaran), wake board or stand up paddle board. He also enjoys riding his off road motorcycle.
He is a part of the Dream Team, a team of talented world stand up paddle riders supported by Starboard, a leading expert of windsurf and stand up paddle boards. The group participate in competitions and are always trying to create new records.
In 1999, Gasiglia completed a world record by jet-skiing a staggering 360 kilometres from Cannes to Corsica Island in the Mediterranean Sea.
During this amazing two day journey, he witnessed the unforgettable sight of flocks of dolphins travelling alongside his jet-ski.
Sponsored by Starboard, he will have his own paddle board designed to suit the river’s challenging conditions.
A support team on board a 4x4 vehicle will follow him by road.
Once his expedition is complete, all of the gear including the board, car and camp equipment will be displayed to the public at Amara Watersports in Pattaya and Jungceylon in Phuket.
For more information and updates, including details on sponsorship, visit www.supmekong1000.wordpress.com, contact 087 8888 244 or email bambou53@hotmail.com.
