Tahoe Adaptive Athlete Pushes Towards South Pole

Lake Tahoe local and adaptive athlete Grant Korgan is literally 'pushing' his way towards the South Pole in a first-time sit-ski attempt to cross the Antarctic and reach the South Pole on January 17th, the 100-year anniversary of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's 1912 expedition. Supporters are being invited to 'buy a push' to help fund the project.

The team arrived on the polar ice cap on Thursday, January 5th. They will cross a 100-mile span of the Antarctic, with Grant "pushing" a loaded sled. The adventure will climax after 14 days with the team's arrival at the South Pole on January 17th, coinciding with the 100-year anniversary of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's 1912 South Pole expedition.

Korgan is accompanied on the expedition by local adventurer/mountaineers/explorers Doug Stoup of Ice Axe Expeditions, and arctic guide Tal Fletcher, who will guide and assist Korgan as he crosses the Antarctic.

The Push team

An full-length documentary film, slated to be aired on NBC Universal and at major film festivals is being made, covering the amazing story about Grant Korgan and John Davis - world class athletes recovering from debilitating spinal cord injuries. Tahoe local Steven Siig, an accomplished film director is working with renowned ski and adventure cinematographer Tom Day and photographer Keoki Flagg, who are both also on the expedition, to capture story and produce the film.

To purchase pushes, use the widget below. To learn about sponsorship opportunities and follow “The Push” journey visit www.southpolepush.com.


The following is excerpted from a release issued by the High Fives Foundation on December 22nd…

“250,000 PUSHES” FUNDRAISER UNDERWAY TO SUPPORT SOUTH POLE EXPEDITION

(NORTH LAKE TAHOE, California/Nevada) – On January 17, 2012, for the first time in history, adaptive athlete Grant Korgan will “push” the limits and himself in a sit-ski 100 miles across the frozen Antarctic landscape to the most inhospitable place on the planet - the South Pole. This chosen date for “The Push” marks the 100-year anniversary when Captain F. Scott’s Terra Nova expedition set foot on this remote terrain.

To support the expedition, The Push team has launched the “250,000 Strokes” fundraiser. Grant estimates that it will require 250,000 arm strokes to propel himself 100 miles to the South Pole. The team is selling “pushes” for $10 each and are available for purchase on The Push website at www.SouthPolePush.com. Pushes are also available via Crowd Rise at www.CrowdRise.com/250000pushes-tothesouthpole.

According to Grant, “The goal of the expedition is to demonstrate that people from all walks of life can accomplish seemingly impossible goals. We hope to inspire everyone to push their limits and live up to their ultimate potential. This fundraiser allows the general public to be a part of this quest.”

“By buying a push, both children and adults can feel part of this journey," said Executive Producer Patrick Rivelli.  "Grant’s journey to the South Pole, and all of our journeys to push our personal limits. Sponsoring a stroke provides a unique, special connection to Grant, the team, and the project mission.”

The expedition and lead-up training will all be professionally filmed for a TV show and documentary film with release expected in October, 2012.

“The Push” is in support of the High Fives Foundation, a California-based 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to help winter athletes suffering life-altering injuries get back on their feet, and ideally, back to their sport. Learn more at www.HighFivesFoundation.org. According to Roy Tuscany (Co-Founder and President of the High Fives Non-Profit Foundation), “Roughly 12,000 people suffer from paralysis every year. With that a combination of positive support, activity-based rehab and research are the keys to recovery.”

“The Push” is also in support of The Reeve – Irvine Research Center, a basic science research facility at University of California, Irvine devoted to the study of repair, regeneration, and recovery of function after spinal cord injury. Learn more at www.reeve.uci.edu.

To learn about sponsorship opportunities and follow “The Push” journey visit www.southpolepush.com.

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