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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 26, 2013 | 12 World traveller inspire youths to reach for success by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver New Central Public School students took a trip across the globe Tuesday -- without leaving their school. They made the journey through stories, photos and videos shared by world-renowned Canadian explorer Ray Zahab, who stopped here on a speaking tour discussing his global expeditions and educational experiences with his charity, impossible2Possible (i2P). "When I first became very passionate about sharing my adventures, it was because of an adventure I had on my own," Zahab said. "Being an adventurer means challenging yourself every day to do the very best you can with anything you set your mind to." The 44-year-old's adventures began about 10 years ago after he quit smoking and took up "every outdoor sport I could and became passionate about everything," he said. Zahab started competing in ultramarathons after reading a magazine article, he explained, because he wanted to know what compelled people to participate. "Two-and-a-half months after I started running, I entered my first ultra-marathon and I won it. I thought this is what I want to do with the rest of my life," said Zahab. In November 2006, he moved on to a bigger challenge -- crossing the Sahara Desert. Starting from Senegal, Africa, Zahab and two friends set out on foot and completed the 7,500-kilometre journey in 111 consecutive days upon reaching the Red Sea. "I ran clear through the Sahara from one coast to the other. It's about the distance of running across Canada, but we ran through the sand. It was very, very hot every day and we never took a day off," said Zahab. The run was documented in the film Running the Sahara, which was directed by James Moll and produced and narrated by Matt Damon. It was created to raise awareness for the clean water crisis in North Africa. Nearly a year later, Zahab launched i2P , an organization that aims to inspire and educate youths through adventure, inclusion and participation in expeditions. "We're all about adventure and learning and sharing these adventures with classrooms. Meeting new people is an amazing thing. It's a gift Ray Zahab visited New Central Public School Tuesday to speak about his expeditions to various countries around the world and his charity impossible2Possible, whose goal is to inspire and educate youth through international travel. photo by Hannah Yoon ­ special to the Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) to learn from other people," said Zahab. Youth ambassadors from around the world are selected to participate without cost in the experiential learning program. Destinations have included Baffin Island, Tunisia, Bolivia, India and the Amazon rainfor- est, among others. "I thought it (would) be a nifty idea to bring young people on the expeditions with me and let them be the ones who communicate and share what they're learning," said Zahab. Alongside two other Canadians, Kevin Vallely and Richard Weber, Zahab set a new world speed record in 2009 for an unsupported expedition by a team to the South Pole. The trio reached its destination in just under 34 days, he said, breaking the previous record by five days. "It was -50 (C) when I got to the South Pole, which is really cold. It's cold enough where if you took water and you threw it into the air some of it would turn to ice particles before it hit the ground," said Zahab, who hosts a six-episode TV series, The Project, airing on the Outdoor Life Network and Citytv later this year. Zahab will be heading to Utah in May with a group of youth ambassadors for an archaeological dig and marathon running. In June, Zahab and a partner will then attempt to run across the Gobi Desert at its widest point, which is approximately 2,000 kilometres. The duo will visit local residents to learn about life in the desert environment. "We are all capable of doing amazing things. (But) we have to believe in ourselves (and) work very hard," said Zahab. For more information, visit www. impossible2possible.com. You're a Good Man, Music Director Mike Ross Drama Director Kelly Sanchuck Charlie Brown Saturday, May 4th, 2013 6:30pm Theatre Sheridan, Sheridan College, Oakville Director and Choreographer Sarah Hammond WAREHOUSE SALE at our PORT CREDIT STORE 1211 HURONTARIO STREET THURSDAY - MAY 2ND, 10AM - 7PM FRIDAY - MAY 3RD, 10AM - 7PM SATURDAY - MAY 4TH, 10AM - 6PM SUNDAY - MAY 5TH, 12 NOON - 5PM WWW.HOUSEWARMINGS.CA Friday, May 3rd 2013 7:00pm For Tickets Call or Email: infor@studiopavas.com Register Now for Summer Camps Performing & Visual Arts Summer Camps I July 2 to Aug 23 I Ages 3 - 14yrs $23.00 Tickets: STUDIO PAVAS 905-403-9435 1-2301 Royal Windsor Dr., Mississauga www.studiopavas.com studiopavas@sympatico.ca