#TurksandCaicos, April 3, 2021 – Let’s just say Turks and Caicos’ Mario Rigby loves a challenge; first he hiked nearly 7,500 miles across the continent of Africa, then he paddled the 220 miles of Lake Ontario in 20 days and now he is planning to return home in an adventure which will take him across at least eight islands in the TCI in under a week. 

“I recognize myself as an eco-explorer, so that means I go around and explore places, I go on expeditions. Sometimes it’s scientifically backed, sometimes it’s just for adventure, sometimes it’s just to tell a story and I think that is the ultimate freedom I’ve allowed for myself…to become this person,” said Mario Rigby in a March 26 interview with Brenesha Cox on her Facebook Live show, Our Turks and Caicos.

A news report out of Canada, where Mario is both a resident and citizen, is exposing the latest physical exploit on the horizon for Rigby, who will kyak, run, hike, cycle and swim to cross the eight main islands in six short days. 

“My life of adventure, it really stared in Turks and Caicos.  I was one of those barefoot kids you would see on the side of the road,” said the now 35-years old who grew up in Providenciales, “we would go fishing, we would go and camp out in caves and we would do this long before we even knew what camping was. So a lot of my experiences came from just moving around in Turks and Caicos.”

Mario Rigby has become a celebrated explorer; features in magazines, numerous television and media interviews; endorsements and fans in the millions and staunch followers on Instagram are at 40k, Facebook with 24k and over 2k on his YouTube channel.

Mario told the publication, the mission will be grueling but it allows him a sentimental connection to his roots. 

“I’m practicing for my upcoming expedition called, the Caicos Challenge, which is actually going to be one of the most grueling expeditions that I have ever done in my life,” informs Mario on his YouTube channel where he pauses from training at the ice-capped peaks of the Bruce peninsula in Canada to explain, “A large component of the expedition is endurance training so I have come here, to take long hikes, get my body in shape.”

This latest expedition of Rigby begins on April 30 and will actually have an interactive opportunity for those watching the his mission, live.

“There is also a community challenge aspect to the expedition, where people can actually join in real time. As an example, if I am doing a 30k run, then people from around the world can also do a 30k run and then those points can be matched on a leadership board on the Strava app.”

ABOUT Caicos Challenge:

The Caicos Challenge is a gruelling six day expedition that covers all eight of Turks & Caicos’ main islands. The entire challenge will be done solo by Mario using only human-powered propulsion which includes; swimming, biking, kayaking, diving, running and hiking. This will be an athletic feat that has never been recorded before making Mario the first to ever do so. As Mario traverses the Turks & Caicos he will showcase the beauty of the islands through his eyes. Besides capturing stunning beauty and taking up an incredible challenge such as this Mario will explore how sustainable development plays a major role throughout his region and what are some actions people can take locally.

This expedition will begin April 30th in Turks and Caicos Islands and will begin with the traverse of the Columbus Passage, a gruelling 40 km kayak across the open Atlantic Ocean.