Mario Rigby facts for kids
Mario Rigby is an amazing adventurer, author, and speaker from Canada and the Turks and Caicos Islands. He used to be a professional athlete in track and field. He is famous for his incredible two-year walk across Africa, from Cape Town to Cairo, which he called Crossing Africa. Mario also works to encourage more people of color to explore the outdoors. He often leads hikes, small trips, and gives talks when he's not on a big adventure.
Mario was born on November 24, 1985, in Grand Turk Island. His family moved to Germany for a few years, then to Canada. Mario ran track and field for the Turks and Caicos Islands from age 14 to 26. He competed in many world championships. After high school, he went to Western University. Later, he became a fitness trainer and owned a gym in Toronto.
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Mario's Big Adventures
Walking Across Africa
In 2015, Mario decided he wanted to show that people can achieve big dreams and go anywhere. He started training for a huge two-year walk across Africa. He began by walking short distances, then longer ones, like from Toronto to Hamilton, and even from Toronto to Montreal.
In November 2015, Mario flew to Cape Town, South Africa. His journey took him through many countries: South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. He walked most of the way. He also kayaked across Lake Malawi, which is one of the largest and deepest lakes in Africa. He finished his adventure in early 2018 and returned home to Toronto.
Mario's Crossing Africa trip became famous around the world. Many news outlets wrote about him. He was also interviewed on popular Canadian TV shows.
Cycling Across Canada
Mario also completed a solo bike trip across Canada and the United States. He cycled from Victoria, British Columbia, all the way to St. John's, Newfoundland. This journey started on July 19 and ended on October 18. Even though it was different from his Africa walk, it was still a big challenge. Mario trained all year and joined charity bike tours to get ready. He even shared his route live online so people could follow his progress.
A company called MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) partnered with Mario. They wanted to support his trip because they believe it's important to show different kinds of people enjoying the outdoors.
- Why Mario Cycled:
- To show that many different people enjoy outdoor adventures.
- To inspire others to explore and have their own adventures.
- To promote human-powered travel, like biking, which helps reduce pollution and is good for the planet.
Training Walks and Kayaking
Before his big Africa trip, Mario did some important training. In July 2015, he walked 60 kilometers from Toronto to Hamilton. He also walked about 500 kilometers from Toronto to Montreal. These long walks helped him get ready for the challenges of crossing Africa.
He carried a backpack with all his gear, like a sleeping bag, tent, stove, and warm clothes. This was to practice for carrying everything he would need in Africa. Mario also kayaked on Lake Malawi during his Africa journey. These training trips helped him prepare both physically and mentally for his huge adventure.
Documentaries
Exploring Turks & Caicos
In 2020, Mario returned to his home in the Turks and Caicos Islands to film new adventures. He explored the history, culture, and natural beauty of the islands. He visited his favorite spots and discovered new places. Through his videos, he showed the amazing landscapes and rich culture of his homeland.
Special Recognition
MIPAD Award
Mario was chosen as one of the "Most Influential People of African Descent" (MIPAD) in 2018. This award recognizes people of African descent who have made positive contributions around the world. Mario was honored for his work in media and culture.
The Explorer's Club
In 2020, Mario Rigby became a member of The Explorer's Club. This is a special club for explorers and adventurers from all over the world.
Toronto Star Feature
The Toronto Star newspaper wrote a big article about Mario. The article was titled "He wanted young black people to be brave so he walked and kayaked across Africa for two years." It told the story of all the amazing things Mario experienced during his two-and-a-half-year journey across Africa.
Mario's Talks
Mario gives many talks at schools and for different groups around the world. He encourages people to face their fears and achieve their goals. He also talks about how important it is to protect our planet. Mario teaches us that everyone can help make the world a better place.
What's Next for Mario?
Mario Rigby lives in Toronto. He is currently writing a book about his Crossing Africa adventure. He is also planning his next exciting expeditions!
