Age no obstacle for solo kayaker Mansor

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Age is no obstacle for solo kayaker Muhamad @ Mansor Omar,70, in his quest to sail around Peninsular Malaysia despite all odds.

More popularly known as Pak Mansor, he started off on his 1,700kilometre journey from Pantai Melawi, Bachok, Kelantan on July 1.

Since then, the Kemaman, Terengganu- born has covered Terenganu, Pahang, Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak and Penang as part of his Peninsular Malaysia Coastal Solo Kayak ‘ Ekspresi Negaraku’ Expedition.

His journey is expected to end at the Kuala Perlis jetty in Perlis on Sept 9.

Mansor who left the Kuala Juru Fisherman’s Jetty here at 9.30am yesterday said he was scheduled to arrive at Kuala Muda, Kedah at 5pm yesterday and would continue his journey to Yan today, he told reporters on Saturday, adding that the expedition was for 71 days.

“This is my second solo expedition. Five years ago, I pedaled my kayak from Kuala Terengganu to Kemaman over 160 kilometers,” adding that the expedition this time was in conjunction with the 60th year of Independence Day and the 2017 Visit Terengganu Year.

“One of my best memories was when I was accompanied by three dolphins for 100 metres off Rompin, Pahang, “he said, adding that the trip was jointly organised by the Terengganu Canoeing Association, with the Terengganu state government and the Terengganu State Sports Council.

The expedition is part of the Veterinary Department pensioner’s quest to set a record for being the oldest solo kayaker to travel around Peninsular Malaysia in the Malaysia Book Of Records. — Bernama