Trimble Nomad Handheld Integral to World-Record Water Distance Attempt

Aug. 12, 2008—World-record-holder for human-powered distance and adventurer Greg Kolodziejzyk is on a quest for another endurance-event record—and the Trimble Nomad outdoor rugged handheld computer will be his virtual first mate. Kolodziejzyk will use a Nomad as a communications tool during his quest to set a new record for the farthest distance traveled on flat water in a human-powered craft. Trimble, a sponsor of the record attempt, will provide a free Nomad in conjunction with the event.

On an optimal-weather day during the week of August 29 – September 2, Kolodziejzyk will set out in a specially designed, state-of-the-art, carbon fiber pedal-powered boat called Critical Power 2 (CP2), aiming to churn his way past the existing record. Carter Johnson paddled a surfski 242 kilometers (150 miles) on Lake Merced in California in 2006 to set the existing record. Kolodziejzyk hopes to prove that legs are slightly more efficient than arms over long distances on water.

During his record quest, Kolodziejzyk will be using the Nomad’s GPS capability to precisely track his progress, its wireless communication tools to maintain a live Internet map during the event, and its camera attachment to record and transmit images along the way.

In support of Kolodziejzyk’s attempt to break the distance record, Trimble will provide a free Nomad to the person who guesses most closely the exact number of kilometers he can cover in 24 hours. A contest entry form, as well as further information on Kolodziejzyk and his record attempt, can be found at: www.adventuresofgreg.com/PredictContest.html.

The Nomad, based on a platform originally designed for surveyors and other in-the-field professionals, offers a combination of ruggedness and performance that translates well to the world of extreme sports and other outdoor recreational pursuits. It withstands water, dust and extreme temperatures, offers a long battery life, and features both built-in and add-on capabilities for a wide array of functional capabilities.

“We designed the Nomad to be a versatile and rugged outdoor tool, but we’re constantly amazed at the range of activities the Nomad is used for,” said Rob Davis, director of sales and marketing for Tripod Data Systems, a Trimble company. “For Greg’s record quest, the Nomad is a perfect resource in its ability to provide multiple functions with its light weight and waterproof construction.”

The record attempt will be made aboard the craft CP2, a carbon-fiber trimaran designed by human-powered boat expert Rick Willoughby of Australia and built by Kolodziejzyk. The CP2 is considered to be the most efficient self-powered boat on the planet over long distances. It can maintain a speed of 10 km/hr at an easy to moderate cycling pace, with a top speed of 17 km/hr. Its 24-foot hull is only 9 inches wide, weighs less than 20 pounds and displaces only 4 inches of water. Kolodziejzyk is positioned in a recumbent seat mounted on the deck, enabling a powerful pedaling position.

A 5-km circular course will be surveyed and marked with buoys on a quiet, sheltered lake in southern Alberta. Starting at 9 a.m., Kolodziejzyk will start pedaling the CP2 and make continual loops around the course, only stopping briefly to receive food and water from a support crew stationed on a dock. Kolodziejzyk will pedal until 9 a.m. the next day. Official observers from the International Human-Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA) will be stationed at key points along the circular course to verify that Kolodziejzyk stays outside of the markers and travels the full distance measured.

For more information about Trimble outdoor rugged handheld computers, visit www.trimble.com/rugged.

SOURCE Trimble