Flight For Life one for the books

Sept. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- The 48-year-old Kelowna REALTOR® was anxious for an adventure to create awareness about his favourite cause, Rally4Life, as he prepares to become the first Canadian to complete the gruelling Dakar rally next year. So, to generate momentum and prepare both physically and mentally, he’s teamed with Vernon’s Glenn Derouin in an attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records.
In Australia this February, the duo will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for longest continuous flight by a powered paraglider. They made their official announcement Tuesday at Kelowna International Airport.
“Yes, it’s a great adventure, and yes it’s a potential Guinness World Record if we’re successful,” Jennings-Bates says. “But, really, if we did that and didn’t do anything else, I’d personally find it a little shallow. … I’d like to do something that gives back to the world, or adds some value to the world.”
The current record is held by another Canadian, Ben Jordan, who flew 8,008 km from Tofino, B.C., to Nova Scotia’s Bay of St. Lawrence in 2009.
The concept was born about 2 1/2 years ago, Jennings-Bates says, but it really gained traction recently. Sponsorship and related issues surrounding Dakar have left him feeling out of control, and he’s not a person to sit and wait. So he approached Derouin, who owns Paraglide Canada, with the idea. Derouin, who has been connected to sky-diving and paragliding for almost 25 years, said he’s always wanted to contribute to a greater cause.
“On my travels throughout the world, I’ve realized how lucky we are living in Canada, how fortunate we are to be born here,” he said. “Along my trips, I’ve realized that at one point in your life, you should try and give something back.”
Preparations are well underway for what promises to be a test of both man and machine. The pair will fly about seven hours per day, usually before dawn and at dusk to avoid the hottest conditions. They have allotted three months for the journey.
Because they’re circumnavigating Australia, finding appropriate landing spots to meet the ground team will also be an issue, not to mention landing during emergencies or if they run low on fuel.
“While sitting in a harness in a paraglider doesn’t sound as though it could be physical, the truth is it’s an endurance event,” Jennings-Bates said.
The feat has already generated tremendous attention, and Jennings-Bates was asked recently to join Friends of Australia, a group of about 80 influential artists, athletes, business leaders and entrepreneurs asked by Tourism Australia to promote Down Under. Among the notable members are Sir Richard Branson, Lance Armstrong, chef Curtis Stone and film director Baz Luhrmann.
Discussions are currently underway to film Flight4Life for television programs.
Of course, fame and adulation are not the driving force here. Jennings-Bates and his wife, Jackie, have set the auspicious goal of raising $4 million for charities to help in areas such as Africa and Central America, especially addressing issues surrounding clean drinking water, through the Rally4Life umbrella.
“We just need to keep going and doing whatever we can,” Jackie says. “The current issues in the Horn of Africa really highlight the huge vastness of the problems that are out there. But also, it’s difficult to overcome that feeling of not being able to make a difference because you’re up against huge numbers. … If you just focus on what you can do, one project at a time, then you do have efficiencies and you can make a difference.”
They chose Parajet as a prime sponsor because of the company’s experience with world records. In 2007, Parajet designed and built a revolutionary para-motor that allowed Bear Grylls (Man vs. Wild) to fly above the summit of Everest, achieving a world-record of 29,494 feet.
“We are mega-excited and proud to be supporting this epic challenge,” says Parajet’s managing director, Jim Edmondson. “Over the years, Parajet have been involved with and supported a number of charitable expeditions. We believe that individuals such as Mark and Glenn are an inspiration to us all and a clear example of the positive contribution that Parajet as a company can make to society; a philosophy that is intrinsic to our business values. Fundraising through this type of expedition is vital to raising awareness and help save thousands of lives with the provision of safe water, shelter and education; key resources needed to alleviate those underprivileged people from poverty.”
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Enquiries:
Mark Jennings Bates
mark@markjenningsbates.com
250-859-4893
 

Media Information:

Dave Trifunov
trif73@gmail.com
250-317-8528

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Canada's First anticipated competitive entry into the Dakar Rally combined with a $4MM fundraising campaign to save 200,000 lives