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June 25, 1999
AROUND-THE-WORLD ADVENTURER RISKS SHARK ATTACK TO SCRAPE BARNACLES
>> LOCATION: PACIFIC OCEAN
>> DATE: JUNE 25th, 1999
>> SECTION: TARAWA VOYAGE
Pacific Ocean - 53rd day at Sea (June 25, 1999). Risky business this pedaling around the world.
Moksha, Jason Lewis' special pedal-powered water craft, was being slowed considerably by clusters of barnacles living on the underside of the vessels hull. Lewis needed to spend time underwater clearing them off. But what about the 12 foot shark that flashed under the boat a few days ago? Would it return and attack him?
Armed with nothing but a Stanley claw hammer for protection, he slipped over the side and began furiously scraping the barnacles with a Tupperware food container. "I was close to finishing when I felt a presence to the right of me. Swiveling my head I caught a glimpse of a monster not 10 feet away. My heart missed a beat. I was on the verge of exiting the water like a torpedo when I realized the monster was actually one of the Dorado fish come to check out my handy-work, but whose size had been amplified considerably by the lens on my mask."
Lewis is currently pedaling from Hawaii to the Gilbert Islands in his quest to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe using only human power. During this leg, he has been inflicted with food poisoning, salt sores, scorching sunshine, severe seas, and curious and dangerous sea life. In a few days he will cross the International Date Line signifying his journey is half completed.
Live media interviews over a crystal-clear high-tech Iridium satellite telephone can be scheduled with Lewis through RoDan Public Relations at (858) 454-1717. In addition, broadcast-quality B-roll tape of Lewis and Moksha is available. Again, contact RoDan Public Relations. Pedal for the Planet Expedition updates can be obtained toll-free at 1-800-943-0114 or on the Internet at www.goals.com.
Expedition 360 goals are 1) to be the first to circumnavigate the globe using only human power (either bicycle, in-line skates, or pedal-powered water craft), and 2) through school presentations, cultural exchange programs, and curriculum development empower children in each country the expedition visits to follow their dreams and connect with the youth of the world. To date, Lewis has completed almost 20,000 miles of the circumnavigation: from the United Kingdom to Hawaii via Portugal, the Atlantic Ocean, the breadth of the United States, and the western Pacific Ocean -- all by human power.
>> END
Posted by jason at June 25, 1999 11:35 AM