A former Dunedin man, Dr Stanley Paris (73), is not letting age dampen his enthusiasm for adventure and challenging records.
This year, he is planning another attempt to become the oldest man to swim the English Channel, and has engaged New Zealander Bruce Farr to work on the design of a yacht in which he hopes to challenge the record for a non-stop solo world circumnavigation from Bermuda.
The 150-day record for the latter event was set by 54-year-old American Dodge Morgan in 1986 on American Promise, in a campaign managed by New Zealand-born Grant Robinson.
Dr Paris said his boat would be called Kiwi Spirit.
Dr Paris, a physiotherapist who lives in Florida, where he founded the University of St Augustine, has made unsuccessful attempts to swim the channel in 2008 and 2009, pulling out because of cramp and nausea.
He has taken the "physician heal thyself" approach to these difficulties, including undergoing physiotherapy, taking medication and making dietary changes.
His first attempt this year will be in early August, with a second date booked for September.
By September he will be 74.
The oldest person to swim the channel was George Brunstad, of the United States, who completed his swim in 15hr 59min in 2004 when he was 70.
While Dr Paris' 2008 and 2009 swims were unsuccessful, interest in them raised $US55,000 for physical therapy research, he said.
This time round, if he succeeds on the first swim he will use the second swim as a research fund-raiser.
In email correspondence Dr Paris did not say when his circumnavigation bid would take place.
He made the pages of the Otago Daily Times in 2003 when his yacht Dreadnought was crippled by storms north of Stewart Island.
He recalls the vessel being hit by 180kmh winds and then, as he made his way to Dunedin for repairs, being struck by a snow and hail storm.
Dr Paris said building of the new vessel was expected to begin soon.
It would be designed for solo handling, have water ballast and a rotating bowsprit but "most importantly" would use wind, solar and water power.
