INTERVIEW: How Lancaster double world record holder braved hippos and elephants on African canoe challenge

Wednesday, 13 November 2024 16:20

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Shaun Gash, pictured with his wife Dawn in Africa, set a world record as the first paraplegic amputee to canoe the Zambezi

Lancaster's double world record-breaking wheelchair adventurer has shared the incredible story of the dangers he faced during a canoe challenge in Africa.

Shaun Gash recently set two new world records - including being the first paraplegic amputee to canoe the Zambezi river.

Shaun, BAE Systems worker Liam Morris from Askam-in-Furness and nurse Michelle Moffatt from Scotland were the first three paraplegics to canoe the Zambezi, raising money for Spinal Research and Whizz Kidz, the UK's leading charity for young wheelchair users.

They canoed 280km over seven days, from Chirundu in Zambia to Mozambique.

Shaun was joined by his wife Dawn, who was also part of the canoeing team.

En route, they encountered herds of hippos, a charging elephant, and many other dangers.

LISTEN to our incredible interview with Shaun Gash

Shaun has used a wheelchair for 33 years, ever since he was paralysed from his chest down following a car accident when he was 20.

Seven years ago, he also lost his leg while climbing Ben Nevis mountain in Scotland.

But Shaun has not allowed his disabilities to stop him from taking on the toughest challenges to raise money for great causes.

These have included sky diving and scuba diving, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and travelling in his chair from Land's End to John O'Groats.

"Life's too short," said Shaun.

"I think we're all governed by having things handed to us on a plate, and I wanted to push myself and push my boundaries every single day when I wake up.

"I am thankful that I'm here. They gave me two days to live after my accident. If I can push myself and strive to do a challenge as well as support not just UK charities but local communities wherever I go, then why not?

"I want to get to an age where I can look back and say, I did that, rather than look back and say, I wish I did that."

Shaun had canoed the Zambezi when he was 15, before his accident, and it was his ambition to do it again.

But he and the team hadn't bargained for the dangers they would encounter in Africa.

One day, they had to deal with an elephant charging straight at them!

"Our guide, who was like an animal whisperer, stood up and went 'NO!' and this elephant just went!" said Shaun.

"I've never seen an elephant take notice of a human being like that, it was amazing.

"We were also in this place called Hippo City. There were big pockets of herds of hippos. They are really dangerous. They could crush your skull in an instant. Two weeks before we went out, somebody had been mauled by a hippo.

"You're in their territory and in the water they are super super fast and super super fierce.

"At one point I thought to myself, if a hippo did come, there's no way I could swim away fast."

On Day 1, Liam's canoe capsized near the hippos.

"We heard a scream, turned around, and our guide said 'Shaun, paddle fast!'

"Liam's canoe had hit a stump and capsized with Liam in it. Bear in mind, he can't walk. He and his guide managed to get the canoe back over, in the middle of Hippo City. Another boat came across and took him to the shore.

"We needed that to happen, because we were all quite complacent. Even though we were canoeing in 40 degree heat, we thought this was going to be great, we'll enjoy it and look at the wildlife. You forget, you're in Africa. There were snakes, crocodiles, elephants, lions, and we're in their back yard. It could take one mistake to cause a fatality. We needed a wake-up call. It was scary."

Along the way, Shaun, Dawn and the team helped the local Zambian community by delivering supplies to a school and medical centre.

"That was the emotional bit, that made it all worthwhile and meaningful," he said.

"They have no electricity, no water, these kids carry the water on their heads up to 8km back and forth from school.

"Even though I'm back, we're going to raise them £3500 to get them electricity and water."

Two weeks before going to Zambia, Shaun achieved another world record in Egypt!

He and his friend Mohammed Salim Patel, a blind BBC journalist from Blackburn, became the first paraplegic and visually impaired person to dive 40m and be underwater for 60 minutes.

They had trained with Morecambe Area Divers at Capernwray Diving Centre in Carnforth, and featured in a documentary series on BBC North West Tonight.

"The finale was myself diving with Salim, unaided," said Shaun.

"He had to hold the back of my tank and my head, that's never been done before."

Shaun and the team are next planning to canoe the Klondike River in Canada in 2026.

"Canada to Alaska has never been done in a wheelchair, so let's go and do that!" he said.

Jim Cooke from Centreline Films has captured Shaun and the team's incredible adventure in Africa. Look out for the footage coming soon.

Shaun's GoFund me page is still open. You can donate HERE.