The Discovery Channel Eco Challenge began in Morocco, North Africa.  The Eco Challenge is a ten day, 500 kilometer adventure race where competitors from around the world subject themselves to a multitude of wilderness tasks.  The competitors were required to ride camels, rappel 3000 feet, ride horses, mountain bikes, and kayak the open ocean. 75 Kilometers of remote coastline was chosen as the venue for the kayak portion of the race

     Two hundred and twenty competitors from 28 countries attempted the coastal paddle using Necky Amaruks.  In all, 110 yellow Amaruks lined the beach for the start of the race.  Some teams had outfitted the kayaks with sail and kite rigs, to use the wind to their advantage.  There were auspicious overtones surrounding the event; all of the competitors recognized that they had a difficult paddle ahead of them.

     The race began at Sidi Kaouki, south of Essouirra.  This area is known as Wind City, Africa.

     The wind picked up to 25 knots during the race, and competitors were faced with breaking seas and huge swells.  Due to the extreme conditions, 23 teams pulled out during the paddle and the other 87 teams completed the course and continued on for 8 more days - a gruelling effort.

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