He crossed North America in-line skates and pedaled a wood boat across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Jason Lewis, the first man who circumnavigated the globe with only human power, visited Fresno City College on March 13.
Katy Bonilla, FCC Public Information officer was part of the committee that coordinated the event. “He has a great story to tell, someone who likes to take chances, who wants to see the world, who wants an adventure. We want our students to hear that kind of story of a brave man,” said Bonilla
Bicycles, inline skates, kayaks, swimming, rowing, walking and pedaling a wood boat was how Lewis traveled 45,000 miles, and visited five continents.
Last time he was in California it was a hard time for him, he mentioned.
“Good morning and thank you very much for coming,” said Lewis. “Last time I was in California I was actually homeless, living in my cott.”
He had visited California a few months after completing his expedition, 2007. He was offered one fourth of million dollars to write his story, money he turned down for personal reasons.
“I’m happy to tell you about my story which I hope will go straight to you, that if you stick to your guns, if you maintain what you know is the right thing to do in life, if you just stay the course it will pay off at the end,” said Lewis.
Rewind 20-years back, It was 1992 when Lewis and his friend Steve Smith started planning the adventure. “It was Steve’s idea, he was working as an environmental scientist,” said Lewis.
Smith was bored of his job, and one day he says as he looks outside his window at work. “I’m only 25-years-old what can I do that’s a grand adventure before I get stuck rack race,” added Lewis.
Smith idea was before Internet days, and he discovered no one had yet, gone around the world with human power, without using sailboats or motors.
Both friends came to the conclusion that they needed a boat strong enough for storms and big waves, and big enough to store food for a 6-month period.
That’s when two friends Chris and Hugo offered to help them built a boat made only of wood. It took 2-years for the boat to be complete. “ What Chris and Hugo neglected to tell us was, that was there first time building a boat,” said Lewis.
It was July 1994 when both Lewis and Smith took off from Greenwich, London. “The first thing we manage to do on this multi journey was to get completely and awfully lost, “ said Lewis.
Once they made it through the Atlantic Ocean they took different routes. Lewis skated through North America, and when he reached Colorado and was hit by an 82-year drunk man. The man claimed he didn’t know he had hit a man he thought it was a deer.
That accident left Lewis weeks in the hospital. Doctors had mentioned he would lose one of his legs. With the help of one doctor Lewis recovered in the doctor’s home. During those nine months of recovery, Lewis discovered what he now calls his passion. Sharing his expedition as an educational tool to bring kids from different cultures together.
After his recovery he went to the same spot where he was hit and finally caught when Smith in San Francisco.
While in California Lewis met Lynne Kemmer, FCC librarian. Kemmer at the time helped Lewis with a curriculum to teach schools about his expedition.
“I worked with him on what was the illogical foot print, what kind of illogical foot print do we what to leave behind.” “ Meaning how much are we taking and how much are we giving back,” said Kemer.
The plan was to be done with the expedition within four years. When they were in Hawaii after being on the Expedition for 5-years, Smith gave up. He didn’t want to spend another 6-months on a boat added Lewis.
Why did Lewis continue alone, when it was not his idea to do this? He shares his story and tells you what motivated him to keep going after being stuck pedaling the same area for 2-weeks and crying for hours.
“It was faith that kept me going.” “I either kept pedaling or I would starve to death, and starving to death seemed far more worse to me,” added Lewis.
Many Students attended the speech, and were inspired by Lewis story. Damian Sanchez an FCC student didn’t know who Lewis was before he heard his story. “I’m definitely going to hit the books more, and take life more serious, life is more precious than what we think, “ said Sanchez.
If you want to lean more about Lewis he has two books published. “The Expedition, Dark Waters, and The Seed Buried Deep.”
He shared more details about his expedition, a crocodile attack, arrested and about to spend 14-years in jail. The moments he wanted to give up and the days he cried like a baby.
“When we think we reached the bottom of the battle, when we think we can’t carry on anymore, of course we can. It’s just a mental thing. It’s a matter of expecting,” said Lewis.
