On October 4, 2014 local coast guard rescued Reza Baluchi from his “amazing homemade floating bubble” called the Hydro Pod. Baluchi set sail on his 1,033 mile trip to Bermuda from Florida to raise money for Children in Need and “to inspire those that have lost hope for a better future”. However, not far from where he started, Baluchi was rescued with his bubble by the coast guard air crew. He was found uninjured but only minutes before he began suffering from fatigue.

Prior to his rescue the coast guard received updates that Baluchi was floating in a giant bubble. Just a couple of miles from St. Augustine the coast guard arrived. The coast guard demanded that Baluchi abandon his mission as it could be dangerous. Despite this information Baluchi refused to end it and activated his location beacon not too long after.

The Hydro Pod is a giant bubble resembling that of a hamster ball. Baluchi would run and use his arms to push the ball forward across the water. According to Baluchi’s website it states that he would catch fish when it is needed and roll through the ocean during the day. During the night he would sleep in a hammock that is placed in the bubble.

There have been many times Baluchi has hit the news, he once traveled the perimeter of the United States and a seven year bike trip through 6 different continents. In his own words he has stated that his “self-motivated mission is to promote world peace and unity. For more information about Reza Baluchi visit his website at http://www.runwithreza.org/

FSA Connection Questions

1. How does the author express the viewpoints of Reza Baluchi with his mission to Bermuda?
2. From the content what does the word “fatigue” mean?
3. Which two statement best summarize the article?
4. In the article the authors state what about the main idea?
5. In the article the author sates what about Baluchi and his missions?