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John Jacoby, founder and Director of Rapid Ascent, has won the prestigious Australian Geographic Society ‘Adventurers of the Year’ Award, as announced at the awards presentation in Sydney on 28 October.

The award was made to Jacoby and three team mates who recently completed a circumnavigation of South Georgia Island by sea kayak.

In February and March this year, the group sailed 1,400 kilometres across the South Atlantic Ocean to reach the glaciated mountainous island known as the ‘Gateway to Antarctica’. They then paddled approximately 500 kilometres to circumnavigate South Georgia Island, after which they traversed the island on foot, following in the footsteps of early explorer Ernest Shackleton.

The team, consisting of John Jacoby, Andrew Maffett, Chris Porter and Jim Bucirde, became only the fourth crew in the world to achieve a circumnavigation of South Georgia Island by sea kayak, and they completed it in record-breaking time.

Commenting on the award, an exuberant Jacoby stated “it is a great honour to win the Australian Geographic Adventurers of the Year award.

“We feel humbled to be amongst such esteemed company when you see the list of previous winners.

“We really just consider ourselves as a bunch of old guys who want to get out and do good stuff.

“Hopefully our expedition inspires others, both young and old, to go out and chase your dreams and adventures.”

Jacoby is one of the world’s most experienced and accomplished adventure racers.

He was awarded the Keys to the City of Melbourne in 1987 after being crowned World Marathon Kayak Champion for the third year in a row, going on to win the title four times. He has completed 30 major international adventure races in 16 countries and was the first Australian to win the coveted Coast to Coast title in New Zealand.

Since retiring from competitive racing, Jacoby has developed a reputation as a designer of ‘very challenging’ but interesting courses for Rapid Ascent, regarded as Australia’s leading adventure sports event management company.

Rapid Ascent General Manager Sam Maffett stated “we are very proud of John and the rest of the South Georgia Island Circumnavigators on receiving this award.

“The fact that we have someone so well regarded in the world of adventure adds a lot to the Rapid Ascent team and John’s experience in the great outdoors helps us deliver the best possible adventure events for everyone.”

For more about John Jacoby and Rapid Ascent visit www.rapidascent.com.au

Lower images show Jacoby in training. Top image shows him kayaking in South Georgia.

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