Within days of organising the 20th Merrell Spring Challenge at Hanmer Springs, Nathan Fa’avae has returned to international competition.
The seven-time adventure racing world champion is contesting North America’s longest non-stop paddle race, the Great Alabama 650.
The 1,046km trek started at Weiss Lake at the foot of the Appalachian foothills and takes in lakes, rivers, whitewater, dams, deltas and the Gulf of Mexico, finishing at Fort Morgan.
Despite winning the Yukon 1000 from Canada to Alaska with Marlborough doctor Sophie Hart in July, Nathan reckons he feels like a rookie taking on such a seasoned field of paddlers in their backwaters.
He is on his own this time as Sophie is taking a break after her Racing Donkeys team won the Spring Challenge.
“Sophie hasn’t ruled out competing in the Alabama paddle in future, saying I should come back insisting it is a must-do event,” says Nathan.
The Tasman multisport legend is hoping to complete the race within half the projected 10 days.
“The Yukon and Alabama are almost opposites. From cold and the wilderness to hot and humid, tides and alligators to negotiate. I will be on my own, and the unknown is a big part of the appeal,” insists Nathan, who plans to paddle deep into the nights.
Once again, he will use the challenge to raise funds for the Fa’avae Pasifika Trust which supports opportunities for youth in the Top of the South.
The target is to bring in $6,500, which equates to $10 per mile for the Great Alabama 650.
The Yukon 1000 raised $12,725 for the trust.
