South Africa: Up-Downstream
The two-day, 82km “Hansa Fish River Marathon” paddle race on a river in rural South Africa boasts nearly two thousand kayakers rowing down man-made weirs and waterfalls, on class 3+ rapids. Simon and Turbo find themselves in way over their head, and fearing for their safety, have to decide between pulling from the race or finding a way to persevere and reach the finish line intact.
More from Season 1
Episode 1
Iceland: Surface of the Moon
Simon and Turbo’s season kicks off with the intense “Fire and Ice Ultra” – a 250km, seven-day stage race – camping and running through the volcanic ruggedness of the Icelandic Highlands. Much to everyone’s surprise, winter comes early, and all runners battle the plummeting temperatures as a large snowstorm closes in.
Episode 2
Iceland: All Ice, No Fire
The “Fire and Ice Ultra” foot race continues its way out of the Icelandic Highlands, north through ever-changing seasons towards the 250km finish line. But the cold and snow continue to be a risk factor for Simon, Turbo, and the rest of the competitors – and everyone has to stick together to overcome the challenges and safely complete the race.
Episode 3
Hawaii: The Channel of Bones
The “Molokai 2 Oahu Paddleboard World Championships” is considered one of the toughest and most elite paddling races on earth. Simon and Turbo have four days in Hawaii to train before competing against the world’s best – and stand-up paddling their way over 10-foot open ocean swells to cross the 32-mile Channel of Bones.
Episode 4
Kenya: Born to Run
The “Amazing Maasai Ultra” race pits a small field of international competitors against local Kenyans – considered some of the fastest runners on the planet – amid the heat and wilderness of the Laikipia Highlands. Simon is running this race without Turbo – he’s living in a small hut and learning all he can from the local Maasai Warriors – before pushing his physical and emotional extremes to complete the 75km single-day run.
Episode 6
United States: Spinning Wheels
Taking their love of climbing, canyoneering and mountain biking to the extreme, Simon and Turbo head to Hurricane, Utah, to compete in the annual “Six Hours of Frog Hollow” bike race. The 12.8-mile looping course winds perilously through gaping canyons, alongside sheer cliff drops and over large boulders – presenting huge challenges for both guys, and a near catastrophic accident for Turbo.
Episode 7
Egypt: The Ancient Sea
There are few events in the ultra-racing community that hold as much prestige as the Four Deserts “Sahara Race” – a 250km foot race in Egypt over five days, through searing heat and sand, where day-time temperatures reach well into the 40’s. Simon is determined to place in the top rankings among the world's best, while Turbo battles ailments and near-exhaustion to hang onto his third-place position
