The first stroke in one of the biggest adventures in Blue Peter history was made yesterday as Helen Skelton, 33rd Blue Peter presenter, embarked on her challenge in aid of Sport Relief 2010 to kayak 2,010 miles down the Amazon River.
If ‘Super Skelton’ succeeds in her epic six week endeavour she will smash her way into the record books, breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest solo journey by kayak and become the first woman in history to solo kayak the Amazon River.
Helen will set off from the start of the geographic Amazon, near Nauta in Peru, and is aiming to finish a whopping 2,010 miles downstream at Almerim in Brazil, near the river’s end where it becomes tidal.
In order to reach the 2,010 mile target in just six weeks, Helen will have to maintain a grueling pace, paddling up to 60 miles a day with only one rest day a week - making this one of the toughest physical challenges ever undertaken in aid of Sport Relief.
Super Skelton will have to pit her wits against all the Amazon has to throw at her, including schools of piranhas, electric eels, sting-rays and anacondas. That’s not forgetting the likelihood of blisters, back ache and muscle cramps that will really test Helen’s physical and mental stamina.
Blue Peter hope Helen’s incredible efforts will inspire families across the UK to rise to their own challenge for Sport Relief, enter the Sport Relief Mile and help raise money that will change lives forever.
Helen said: "People say it can't be done, but worrying about it won't make it any easier or the distance any shorter. I just have to get my head down and get on with it.
"A couple of months ago I'd only sat in a kayak twice. It's a massive challenge but I'm hoping that if people see I am out of my comfort zone they'll be more likely to challenge themselves and get involved with Sport Relief."
Viewers will be able to follow Helen’s progress with weekly TV updates from the Amazon on Blue Peter and a full round up of Helen’s challenge will be shown in two Blue Peter special episodes on 16th and 17th March, in the lead up to the Sport Relief Weekend.
Tagged in Helen Skelton Sport Relief