On Sunday, May 29th, at 1:07PM New York time Aleksander Doba embarked on his 3rd Transatlantic Kayak Expedition. This time, he will travel in his kayak “OLO” along the north side of the ocean, from the United States to Europe, specifically to Lisbon, Portugal.
Piotr Chmielinski
New York, May 29, 2016
On Sunday, May 29th, at 1:07PM New York time Aleksander Doba embarked on his 3rd Transatlantic Kayak Expedition. This time, he will travel in his kayak “OLO” along the north side of the ocean, from the United States to Europe, specifically to Lisbon, Portugal.
Over a hundred people came to Liberty Landing Marina to say goodbye to Polish kayaker and explorer. While Olek was transported by one of the kayakers to “OLO” that had been moored several meters from the shore on the Hudson River the previous night, the crowd sang “One Hundred Years” a traditional Polish song to express good wishes, good health and long life to a person.
– Thirty, twenty-nine, twenty-eight …. – people gathered on the banks counted down. Three, two, one – and…. Olek took off, or rather – off he glided on the water. In the company of a dozen of sailing boats, few motorboats and three kayaks, on Sunday, May 29th at 13:07, Aleksander Doba left the Marina heading first to the Statue of Liberty, and then to the Verrezano-Nerrows Bridge, the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean. It was a stunning view when against the sunlit Manhattan that frigate accompanied the 70-year-“YOUNG” kayaker for several hours. Our boat “LEGEND” navigated by captain John Sack IV, with among others, Olek’s wife, Gabriela, was the last to turn back toward the port of New Jersey. The last few words of farewell, a few tears of emotion, few long kisses blown and … see you in Europe.
After the last few extremely stressful days, Olek finally felt peace and joy for his expedition, especially the happiness that it came to fruition. Recall, first, there was a problem with a freeze-dried food, which was stopped by the US customs. Then, discharged battery, next malfunctioning electrical system inside the kayak and a few more trinkets were discovered. Fortunately, everything could be resolved or repaired before the scheduled Sunday launch.
Now, Olek needs to focus on paddling and braving the elements. The last ones seem to find him right away. The tropical storm “Bonnie” is approaching the east coast of the United States. As the sailors say, it would be suicidal to emerge in these conditions over the Atlantic. Therefore, Olek is going to wait the storm attack before the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in the Upper Bay. On Tuesday morning, he is planning to enter the open ocean.
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