How Gel Ovations is Supporting Antarctic Explorer Karen Darke, MBE

Karen Darke, MBE, is a para-athlete who has dedicated her life to pushing the boundaries of what is possible for people with disabilities.

She has competed in multiple Paralympic Games, and her latest challenge is the Pole of Possibility.

This challenge has involved skiing to the South Pole, a journey of over 700 miles while pulling her own equipment and supplies behind her.

In this superhuman endeavour Karen was following in the sled prints of such legendary explorers as Captain Scott, Rauld Amundsen, Sir Ernest Shackleton, and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The Pole of Possibility is a symbolic journey that Karen hopes will inspire others with disabilities to embrace their potential and pursue their dreams.

She was not just skiing to the South Pole, she is also raising awareness about the challenges that people with disabilities face in their daily lives.

Karen wants to show that it is possible to overcome these challenges and achieve great things, no matter what obstacles you may face.

To complete the Pole of Possibility, Karen needed the right equipment, including specially designed skis and a sled to carry her supplies.

Gel Ovations stepped up to help Karen by supplying her with the padding she needs to protect herself from injuries and pressure sores while skiing.

This support was crucial to Karen’s success, as she needed to be able to focus on skiing and not be distracted by discomfort or pain in the harshest conditions that humans can endure.

Gel Ovations has been working with Karen for several years, providing her with custom Dimensional Gel Silicone padding for her equipment that is specifically designed to meet her needs as a para-athlete.

Our medical-grade silicone padding is durable, and lightweight, and provides excellent shock absorption and pressure relief.

This makes it popular amongst para-athletes who need to protect their bodies against the hard, unyielding surfaces of their equipment, during sporting exertions.

With Gel Ovations’ support, Karen was able to focus on her goal of skiing to the South Pole and inspiring others to pursue their dreams, no matter what challenges they may face.

The Pole of Possibility is a massive challenge, and Karen Darke is an inspiring athlete who is pushing the limits of what is possible for people with disabilities.

Gel Ovations is honoured to be part of this incredible project, and Karen and her team are on their way to achieving their goals and inspiring others to do the same. We congratulate Karen on her achievement in conquering the South Pole and wish her all the best for her exciting challenges ahead!