Three British college graduates stopped in St. Charles Parish on the final leg of their 2,400-mile kayaking journey down the Mississippi River.
The three men – Sam Norman, Matt Fraser and Harry Hogg – took part in the journey in order to raise money for Help for Heroes, an organization that provides support to British service men and women wounded in the line of duty.
The three began their trek on June 5 from the official source of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca. They paddled around 40 miles a day and took 80 days to reach New Orleans, the final stop on their journey.
Fraser started kayaking in 2008 and began going on small adventures with Norman shortly after. These trips ranged from days out biking and paddling to getting their skydiving qualifications and sailing yachts. Fraser is also a snowboarder who spends time hiking in the mountains each year.
Norman was the most experienced kayaker of the group, beginning when he was just 7 years old. He also takes part in a variety of extreme sports that include skydiving, diving and sailing.
Meanwhile Hogg was the most inexperienced paddler on the team, but he served as captain of his college hockey team. He met Norman and Fraser through school sports.
The group had to brave rough waters when they entered the final leg near New Orleans in late August. Winds between 15 and 20 miles per hour kicked up 5-foot-swells over the final four days. The kayakers had to slow down to half speed (3-4 miles per hour) on their way to the finish line.
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