Brand New Video: The Exile

Posted on November 16, 2012 by winneras

The festive season is now upon us. At this time of year we come together with loved ones, sometimes fighting time and distance to spend the season with them.

Our latest video draws inspiration from what The Wild Geese left behind. Although these Men of Action stood strong in 1691 and achieved some remarkable things in their adopted communities, many left behind families. The took the name ‘The Wild Geese’ in the hope and belief that they would one day return. Their hearts remained focused on Ireland.

Wherever you are in the world, if you are of Irish descent you are part of this story and entitled to call yourself Wild Geese.

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Men of Action: Adventure Fever

Posted on August 23, 2012 by aaron

Stephen Smart has caught the adventure fever. He and 19 colleagues of a UK DIY store have signed up for an Alaskan trek next month.

The team will set off on September 2nd, in aid of raising money for Leukaemia Research. A head of them lies ice climbing, trekking and whitewater rafting, but 21 year old Stephen isn’t fazed by the daunting challenge.

‘My parents really encouraged me to do it’ he explains, ‘They think it suits me down to the ground’

To help raise money for the expedition, the team have also two sponsored bike rides and they are right on target to raising their combined £50,000. Stricken with ambition, Stephen even hopes to surpass this.

Preparation for the expedition hasn’t been a case of simply starting a regular exercise routine, as Stephen already stays active. The team have just completed two treks up Mount Snowdon, taking two different routes. Each route was at a different level of difficulty, and were designed to give a sense of what lay ahead.

But Stephen has definitely caught the adventuring spirit:

‘I’d never done anything like that before. I just want to get back out there and that was only Snowdon. I can’t imagine what Alaska will be like’

It seems Alaska may just be the beginning for this young adventurer.

Men of Action: Global Expedition Continues to Inspire

Posted on August 22, 2012 by aaron

Jason's specially modified pedal boat 'Moksha' (which means 'Liberation' in Sanskrit)

Adventures rarely end at the finish line, and like the first voyage of The Wild Geese, they can continue to inspire.

On the 6^th October 2007, Jason Lewis completed a 13 year circumnavigation of the globe, using only human power.

He travelled 46,000 miles, through 37 countries and across 3 oceans, using only human powered methods, with no motors or sails. These included cycling, in-line skating, kayaking, swimming, rowing, walking and pedalling a uniquely designed boat.

For Jason, this all started with a simple idea – ‘this amazing idea that hasn’t been done before’.

Actually, a global circumnavigation had been undertaken before. Five hundred years ago the Magellen/Elcano expedition completed a circumnavigation in 1522 – a time before motors and aeroplanes. So its even more impressive that Jason chose to do this simply by man power.

Jason’s expedition took a total of 13 years, with various set backs and unexpected circumstances adding time to the journey.

’I had to swim some of the rivers in Southeast Asia, like the Mekong River, because there was no bridge’

While in-line skating across America, Jason was involved in car accident which broke both his legs. But this wasn’t time for him to waste, and he decided to visit schools and discuss his adventure so far.

‘I went to schools in my wheelchair, and I got to see how talking about the adventure suddenly would light up in the eyes of third, fourth and fifth graders’

This sense of inspiration never truly left Jason. He healed, and continued his journey, stopping off along the way to work in order to raise money for the next stage.

He held on to this, and has recently released his first book covering his adventures. Called ‘Dark Waters’, he promises this is the first in a series – the first steps of his epic journey.

’If you have a dream or aspiration like I had, then you should go for it… I guess that’s been my message throughout the circumnavigation’

Men of Action: Bivouacking the Karakoram Range

Posted on August 21, 2012 by aaron

In just 20 days, adventurer and bivouacking pioneer Thomas de Dorlodot crossed one of the most difficult terrains the world has to offer.

The 27 year old Belgian paraglider walked more than 300 km and flew over 3 of the biggest glaciers in the world – Hispar, Biafo and Baltoro.

‘The goal of bivouac is to fly and trek in one of the most hostile terrains in nature in the fastest possible time’ Thomas explains.

His journey took him over the Karakoram mountain range in the Pakistani Himalayas, making him the first lone pilot to pass over the area, flying at 7,250 m high.

‘I landed on glaciers, climbed a virgin peak at 5,364m, crossed a few passes at more than 5,000 meters and was the first to reach the second-highest mountain on earth, K-2, all this in this most inhospitable but magical landscape and without many landing options’

Thomas had to time his landings perfectly, as setting down a little off course could mean a 5 day hike to get back on track.

‘Flying all the length of the Concordia glacier was probably the most impressive and technical flight of my life. Landing there in the middle of nowhere would have meant more than a week of hiking to get out!’

Men of Action: Entering ‘The Adventure Zone’ 1000 Miles Around Ireland

Posted on July 17, 2012 by aaron

When they stood on the shores of Limerick in 1691, The Wild Geese didn’t know what lay ahead of them. The seas off the coast of Ireland can be unforgiving, and they likely had to draw on all their strength to take their first steps on the journey.

In 2012, adventurers are still facing the Irish sea, one of which is Mike Jones, a Co. Cork resident. On June 4th, Mike left his hometown of Cobh in his 18ft long sea kayak. Like The Wild Geese he had a goal: to paddle 1000 miles around Ireland.

The only supplies he had for his 40 day journey were anything he could fit into his kayak, which couldn’t be weighed down with too many things.

Mike’s journey was in aid of Children’s Sunshine Home and Laura Lynn House – both charities that care for children with life limiting conditions.

Mike faced some of the toughest weather conditions in recent years. He battled wind, rain and very early starts to complete his voyage. His blog posts are remarkable reads, and Mike explains that there is a fine line between adventure and disaster:

‘It’s a simple enough idea which works as follows, you learn a new skill and enjoy doing it… a few lessons on a lake with an instructor and you get comfortable and you reach a state of play, working within you comfort zone. But you want more challenges so you enter the Adventure zone’

‘The line which separates Adventure and Miss-Adventure is at times very fine and I have on many occasions flirted on rivers and mountains with Miss-Adventure and have my fair share of epic tales as a result’

But like The Wild Geese, Mike had a journey to complete and a cause to fight for. He completed his voyage on the 13th July and was welcomed by a friendly crowd, ready to congratulate him.

Men of Action: Beaumont Shares His Round The World Achievement In 24 Cycling Challenge

Posted on July 16, 2012 by aaron

Mark Beaumont is best known for conquering the world in 2008. In 194 days, he crossed 20 countries and travelled 18, 296 miles, becoming the first person to cycle the circumference of the world.

Now, he is launching Scotland’s first 24 hour cycle challenge, in which competitors will collectively aim to cycle the same 18,296 distance.

Using the 1.3 mile Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife, Beaumont encourages teams and individual cyclists to participate in conquering this distance once more. The team or individual to tally up the most miles in the challenge will be invited to be amongst the first to cycle the new Sir chris Hoy Velodrome when it opens in Glasgow in the autumn.

The challenge aims to raise money for ENABLE Scotland, a charity that helps people with learning disabilities. ENABLE’s Assistant Director of Funding, Hazel Mcilwraith envisions this as becoming event:

‘This is the ultimate cycling challenge for individual riders and teams’ says Mcilwraith, ‘I think people will see this as their one big challenge of the year and it will attract people from all walks of life’.

Beaumont is excited to bring his personal passion to the event and share his achievement with those who also want to make a difference:

‘This is a completely unique and brilliant challenge – cyclists to become “Le Mans” style circuit racers for 24 hours. I love such imaginative physical and psychological two wheeled challenges! I am certainly excited to be launching one of Scotland’s most extreme cycling challenges, especially as it is raising the profile and essential funds for ENABLE Scotland, a fantastic Scottish charity’

The event will take place on the 5th & 6th October. For more information, visit www.cycletheworld.org.uk. Good luck to all those who participate!

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