"The future is in the hands of those who explore... and from all the beauty they discover while crossing perpetually receding frontiers, they develop for nature and for humankind an infinite love." Jacques Yves Cousteau
Ross Exler, set out on an expedition to explore three of the African Great Lakes. Calling it "a human-powered solo crossing" by kayak and bicycle, covering roughly 1,600 miles. The nature of the trip was to highlight the biodiversity of the regions ecosystem and the environmental issues that it faces.
The vision for the exploration began in college; having studied fish from Lake Tanganyika, his interest in this region grew and became a challenge to venture out and explore the Lakes.
Africa's Great Lakes are normally recognized by the following but vary Lake Albert, Lake Edward, Lake Kivu, Lake Malawi, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Turkana, Lake Victoria. According to The Nature Conservancy the lakes "hold approximately one-third of the world's fresh surface water." They are also an important drainage point into Africa's three longest rivers: Congo, Nile, and Zambezi. The ecosystem of the lakes is unique and the diverse range of fish is extensive.
The challenge to take on the waters took a lot of research, planning, and preparation to better understand the environment, conditions, and culture of the regions. The kayak crossing tackled Lake Malawi, Tanganyika, and Victoria. What began as an idea in a lab. became an expedition with a cause, to explore and increase awareness to protect natural habitats and inhabitants of such areas. The outcome of the trip has led to a continued aspiration to bring to the forefront the intertwined relationship of people and nature.