In July 2009, Manser set another world first when he became the first person to circumnavigate the world’s fourth largest island, Madagascar, by kayak - also alone and unaided. This colossal journey, which saw him paddle 5000km in eleven months, was, he said, considerably more demanding, both physically and mentally. Conquering extreme loneliness whilst enduring treacherous conditions like pounding seas, cyclones and an unrelenting sun which, combined with salt water, almost pickled him alive.