Sponsored kit is Awesome!

Been a while since the last update... Jeff and I have been spending what little free time we have available training hard, on our local waters, so will get this up to date!

The Mighty 'Triton' left Sea Kayaking UK in North Wales two weeks ago, (i couldn't face a colour photo of it this early, so will have one uploaded nearer the time...) Jeff will tell more.

The delightful package arrived from Lendal. A set of composite Kinetic Wings, (as seen) and a set of Kinetic Touring as a spare set, likely to be used if my shoulders complain too much when using using the powerful 'grip' the wings provide, in all conditions.

Just to finish this clearly luxurious arrangement, my Expedition Drysuit arrived from Kokatat! So I put them to the test!

Drysuit very comfortable, (not like previous neck and wrist seals I remembered, fitted perfectly and totally dry! Paddles gave plenty of power and enough support when needed. And the kayak, awesome, i'd expect nothing less.

Expedition Sponsors Confirmed

It is with great delight that we can name the sponsors of the expedition so far.

Sea Kayaking UK - NDK 'Triton' and support. http://www.seakayakinguk.com/
Kokatat Kayak Wear - drysuits, PFD, Decks and Hydration Packs http://www.kokatat.com/
Lendal Paddles - Kinetic Wings and Touring blades http://www.lendal.com/regions.asp?redir=%2Fpage%2Easp?pgid%3D500010001%26shift%3D
Reed Chillcheater - made to measure thermals http://www.chillcheater.com/
Johnson Outdoors - camping equipment, clothing, kayaking kit http://www.johnsonoutdoors.co.uk/
Kari-Tek - Hydro Skeg Rudder system http://www.kari-tek.co.uk/
Body Boat Blade International - logistics, planning and preparation. http://www.bodyboatblade.com/
Jon and Kirti Walepole - Website, updates, communications and electronic devices
http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~walpole/kayaking.html
John Kimantas (Author) - waterproof marine atlases designed for kayakers
http://www.thewildcoast.ca/

Many thanks to all our sponsors so far.

For other 'Triton' adventures recently, checkout 'Double Trouble' on Justine's blog;
http://www.cackletv.com/blog.html

Preparation going well

In May 2007, there will be an attempt to circumnavigate Vancouver Island in a Sea Kayaking UK ‘Triton’ double kayak. Keirron Tastagh from Adventurous Experiences on the Isle of Man with paddling partner Jeff Norville from Portland, US, will be aiming to complete the 700 mile round trip in 2 weeks, setting a new record and proving that the sleek and very manoeuvrable Sea Kayaking UK Triton double kayaks can be used for longer expeditions and are faster than the higher volume, more cumbersome doubles on the market.

More details, sponsors and updates as we get time to add them. We hope to update the blog regularly whilst on the expedition.

Following preparation at Shawna and Leon's (Body, Boat, Blade International) on Orcas Island, http://www.bodyboatblade.com/ the plan is to paddle to Pender Island and ‘enter Canada’, and have Passports stamped. Then continue NE up the sheltered inside passage first, trying to gain as much distance as possible, before rounding Cape Scott and down the exposed West coast and Strait of Juan de Fuca, past the San Juan’s back to Pender Is.


Part of the challenge of this expedition, is that Keirron and Jeff will meet and train together for the first time just before the trip. They have both been training separately in home waters.