By Robert Harland

In July Canadian adventurer, Greg Kolodziejzyk, will attempt to become the first person in history to navigate a notorious stretch of ocean from Canada to Hawaii under his own power.

The ‘Pedal The Ocean’ project will be a world-first, as the 4,300 kilometer route has never been traveled under human power before.

Human-powered long-distance ocean voyages are nothing new, but Kolodziejzyk’s boat, named WiTHiN, is different. It’s totally enclosed.

"Sure, she’s a little cramped compared to the spacious ocean row boats," said Kolodziejzyk, "but I enjoy other benefits they don’t. Aside from my greater overall speed, I am better protected from the harsh ocean environment by being inside my enclosed cockpit.

"The ocean rower is outside when rowing, and risks being knocked out of the boat by a rogue wave or strong winds, as well as getting sun burn and skin sores from being constantly exposed to the sun and salt water.

"I think the biggest advantage I have over the ocean rowers is that when the wind and waves start to really rock and roll, I am still able to power my boat forward in the relative safety of my enclosed cockpit."

Kolodziejzyk, a retired entrepreneur, is no stranger to breaking human-power records. In 2006 he broke the record for the longest distance traveled in one day under human power, riding a custom-built fully-enclosed recumbent bicycle.

Kolodziejzyk has been putting WiThiN through her paces and plans to spend 24 hours inside the vessel to see how easy or difficult it is to live in it. I hope he likes it - the trip is estimated to take two months.

The boat has some sophisticated equipment including a portable water desalination plant, solar power generator, satellite phone, computer, GPS, and space for over 90 kilograms of food as well as a sleeping berth and emergency equipment,

WiTHiN reportedly cruises at 4 knots, as compared to the 1.5 that an ocean row boat averages.

Apart from setting a record, Kolodziejzyk hopes his trip will help promote the potential of human power and raise money for Kimberlee’s Bikes for Kids, a charity that supplies children with bicycles.*