Mark Ervin (65) is from the mining town of Atikokan in Canada, close to the US border, but has lived in Norway for the past 34 years. Here he started a family and made a career in the maritime industry. But when he retired this summer, he gave himself a final gift a little out of the ordinary. Namely paddling The Greater Loop on the North American continent. – For me, this was a golden time to do it. You never know what’s around the next bend, says Mark Ervin. – For me, this was a golden time to do it. You never know what’s around the next bend, says Mark Ervin. Could become the first man in history The Great Loop is a route of 9,500 kilometers, but Mark Ervin intends to paddle 1,500 km longer. That’s why he calls it The Greater Loop, and it will take a whole year to complete in a kayak. “The big loop” starts in Halifax in the north-east of Canada, and goes through the Great Lakes down the USA, through the Mississippi and down to the Gulf of Mexico, and Florida. He then paddles all the way up to Halifax again – along the Atlantic coast. It is as far as driving from Norway to North Korea. Almost two continents across. Right now he is in the city of Mobile, Alabama. Several people have attempted The Great Loop, but no one has managed to complete it in its entirety in a kayak. That doesn’t scare Ervin. He has previously stated that he likes to be challenged. – Especially when it’s for a good cause. Wants to collect NOK 1 million His goal is to collect NOK 1 million for Leagues without Borders and Captains without Borders. That it is precisely these organizations is no accident. Ervin’s wife was a doctor, and had a dream to one day take part in the work of Legar without borders. – Unfortunately, she died of brain cancer 10 years ago, and was unable to achieve that goal. That’s why I want to support that particular organisation, says Ervin. Mark Ervin’s wife died of brain cancer. It has been a driving force for him to collect money for Legar without borders. Photo: Privat He started the collection in connection with the TV campaign, which last year went to Legar without borders. People can donate through the spleisane he has created, or by giving directly to Legar without borders. So far, the Norwegian-Canadian has collected around NOK 90,000. Legar without borders appreciated that. – It helps both to give Legar without borders income for our life-saving work and to make the work more well-known, says fundraising and marketing manager Christian Sørensen. Stubborn as an ox It is not the first time Ervin is out on an adventure. A few years ago, he paddled from Oslo to Greece in connection with a peace campaign. He is therefore an experienced outdoorsman. – I think I have a lot of willpower, because I’m stubborn as an ox, he says, laughing. Despite that, Ervin admits that the trip is taking its toll. The route itself is challenging and obstacles such as rock formations and channel locks can appear. In addition, weather and wind can put a stop to further travel. It happened, among other things, to Steve Chard, a British submarine pilot, when he tried his hand at The Great Loop a few years ago. Due to bad weather, he had to cancel the trip and return home to England. – The road from Halifax to Alabama has been fantastic, but also challenging with a good dose of fear. I have paddled in all kinds of weather and difficult conditions, says Ervin. Mark Fuhrmann sees that it is building up to a storm Mark Fuhrmann Sleep under a park bench What makes it extra challenging is that Mark is dependent on finding a place to sleep every single night. He slept where he felt safe. It can be on the beach by the bank of a river, in the forest, in a boat, in a laundry room, and under a park bench. – Or on the property of people who don’t want me to spend the night in the house, but who don’t mind me lying in the garden, he says. – I often find a cabin I can sleep in. In Canada, many of the cabins are unlocked. Mark Ervin has found a cabin and a “bathtub” in green surroundings. There has been a lot of camping on the beach for Mark Ervin. A green cabin reveals itself. The living room in the green cabin is comfortably furnished with a wooden chest of drawers, a wooden chair and a fireplace. A car can also function as a place to sleep. Tent at sunset. People are spices On the journey, he has also received a lot of help from the people he has met. Several of them have followed his journey on the YouTube channel and his blog, where he always posts updates. – The nature is beautiful. But the most beautiful thing is the people I have met. People are the spice of life, we can learn a lot from each other, he says. Being away for a whole year from the normal weekday with all that entails is no easy task. Ervin admits that he misses the morning coffee at Kaffebrenneriet, and good times with family and friends. – Of course I miss the children and grandchildren. A lot happens during that time, especially the grandchildren develop a lot in a year. Mark Ervin with two rainbows behind him. Photo: Privat Stuck a bit in everyday life But so far this trip has made him feel better. On the inside and outside. – It has given me tons of new experiences and new skills that I can use now, and later. I feel much younger. I’m not that old, only 65 years old, but being out in nature and breathing in fresh air makes me younger. It is clear that he is giving more this year than if he had been at home. Because, as many can relate to, Ervin felt that he was a bit stuck in everyday life. – But by moving my boundaries, and experiencing different ways of living, I experience meaning in things I haven’t thought about, says the 65-year-old. Have a goal and tick it off in the calendar. He has tips and inspiration for you who are sitting on the fence waiting to jump into your dream. – Balance is important. It is important to do something that is different from everyday life. Have a goal. Look at the calendar. If it is a year or two years ahead, tick off the date and decide to do it. Then you have something to look forward to, he says. Mark Ervin at one of the cabins he stayed in during the trip. Photo: Private He himself has been waiting for three years to start the journey he is now on. – Now I’m finally here. I’ve had second thoughts. I have received inspiration that I might never have received if I had been stuck at home. I don’t think I will regret it at all, he says. It remains to be seen whether he will finish in Halifax in the summer. If he does, he will be the first to paddle The Great Loop and even further without stopping.
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Mark Ervin on a spectacular paddling trip in North America to raise money for Legar utan grenser – news Culture and entertainment
