Posted in Challenges, Kit, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Circumnavigation, Extreme Challenge, Kayakathon, sea kayak on April 1, 2012| 2 Comments »
Just four weeks to go before we head off and the last bits of kit have arrived. Yesterday I spent the day stuffing all the gear into dry bags and figuring out the best way to pack the kayak. It reminded me of trying to complete one of those puzzles you sometimes get in Christmas crackers – where you have a plastic frame with 14 numbers that can slide around but only one space free.
"My shoes wouldn't even fit in here!"
Posted in Challenges, Kit, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Circumnavigation, sea kayak on March 29, 2012| 3 Comments »
Geoff and I recently had our NDK Explorer kayaks smartened up by Andy Willcocks of ASW Boatbuilders.
Our kayaks are around three years old and whilst still in great structural condition, the gel coat was beginning to show the signs of wear and tear – hundreds of launches and landings on sand and rocks and more than a few misjudged ‘rock hopping’ manoeuvres. We wanted to make sure that the kayaks are in great condition before we set off.
Repairing the gelcoat
Posted in Challenges, Cornwall, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Circumnavigation, Extreme Challenge, sea kayak on March 14, 2012| 4 Comments »
The passenger
Posted in Challenges, Cornwall, Friends, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Circumnavigation, Extreme Challenge, sea kayak on March 13, 2012| Leave a Comment »
Wish these these things were lighter...
Posted in Challenges, Kit, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Circumnavigation, Extreme Challenge, Sabbatical, sea kayak on March 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »
One the GB360 Team gets married this afternoon. Mike and Caroline are finally tying the knot at St Mawes Castle. As Tanya hunted through her wardrobe this morning trying on several outfits asking for my expert advice on each, I made a clumsy remark about never finding a man struggling with what colour to wear or what shoes to go for. Tanya gently reminded me just how many hours I spent looking at the Kokatat catalogue and just how many phone calls and emails there were between me, Mike and Geoff before we could finally settle on our expedition kit. Ok, good point. I may not worry so much about my shore clothes but when it comes to looking the part on the water and feeling safe and warm – well that’s another matter altogether.
Our yummy Kokatat gear has arrived and this week Geoff and I got together for a couple of days paddling to get some miles in and test the new gear.
Posted in Challenges, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Circumnavigation, Extreme Challenge, sea kayak on March 10, 2012| 2 Comments »
A post with a bit of a serious theme this one. When we talk about the trip to friends and family, after the initial “you are joking right?”, the conversation quickly turns to how we plan to keep safe through out 2,500 mile paddle. We have prepared a full risk assessment and will be talking this through with the Coastguard before we leave – below is an extract from it.
Safety kit carried by each paddler in their PFD (Personal Flotation Device) or within easy reach - cockpit or day hatch
Posted in Challenges, Friends, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Extreme Challenge, sea kayak on January 24, 2012| Leave a Comment »
The round Britain team are absolutely thrilled to announce that Kokatat, have agreed to be the official sponsor for our paddling gear. For those that don’t know the company – it focuses on paddle sport clothing and equipment and has an enviable reputation for quality. Based in California since it was established 40 years ago, and named after the Native American word for ‘into the water’, they are easily the most highly regarded manufacturer of kayaking kit.
When we were seeking advice from some of the UK’s top sea kayakers about which kit which should go for, Kokatat was the name that kept being mentioned. Both Geoff and I have purchased some of their kit before and the advice we got reinforced our own views that we ought not to use anything else on this trip. With 100 days and 2,500 miles of paddling – the last thing you want to worry about is your kit letting you down.
Once the new kit arrives we’ll post some photos, tell you about how it shapes up in training and on the expedition itself. Can’t wait!
Posted in Challenges, Paddle trips, tagged Britain, Circumnavigation, Extreme Challenge, sea kayak on December 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Fashion designer Mike Greenslade has been putting the final touches to the new logo for the round Britain paddle in 2012…..
Now we have the T-shirts printed there is definitely no going back now. I am looking forward to the boxer short version!
Midlifekayak 