Long rider: Aaron Salta.
By Cherie Donnellan
A GEELONG man trying to cross the Nullarbor on a skateboard is half way to proving his critics wrong, he told the Independent this week.
Mental health advocate Aaron Salta said he passed the midpoint of his 2000km journey this week.
But covering 1200km in 10 days so far was taking its toll.
“My legs are all swollen,” Mr Salta said.
“Actually, they’ve doubled in size but I’m treating them with saltwater baths and massages.”
Mr Salta said the pain was “worth it” to raise awareness of depression.
He initially hoped to raise $10,000 for mental health but was now aiming for $20,000 after attracting widespread media attention.
“I’ve had great support from newspapers, radio stations and television networks.
“The attention is great because the whole reason I’m doing this is to make people aware of mental health issues.”
Mr Salta revealed to the Independent in February that he had battled depression for two years.
“I’m in a really good place and want others to feel like this as well. Because I understand what depression feels like it’s given me more drive to do this.”
Mr Salta thanked friends Damien Ryan and Sean McLaughlin for keeping him focussed on skating at least 100km a day.
“I actually did 144 kilometres the other day. That’s been my biggest day of skating so far.”
Mr Salta said he spent months running up to 14km a day preparing for the challenge.
