Justine Curgenven is teaming up with Barry
Shaw to attempt a circumnavigation of the
South Island of New Zealand. This 1,700 mile
journey will take us along one of the most
beautiful coastlines in the world and is
also one of the most committing and
challenging circumnavigations that can be
undertaken in a kayak. The swell on the
south and west coasts rarely drops below 2
metres with hundreds of miles between
sheltered landings. Gales are common and can
arrive quickly so we have to expect many
surf landings and launchings. In Fjordland
in the South-west there is no road access
for 300miles so we will have to be entirely
self-sufficient. These considerable
difficulties are the reason why only 3
paddlers have continuously circumnavigated
the island before, and this includes the
very talented Paul Caffyn and Chris Duff.
Chris was capsized 13 times in the surf on
his circumnavigation. No women have yet
paddled around the South island.
Where:
New Zealand’s South Island. 1,700 miles.
When:
Late January – April 2008
Who:
Justine Curgenven and Barry
Shaw, from the U.K.
Why:
The natural mountainous beauty
and wildlife of New Zealand are world-class
and this is one of the most challenging and
committing circumnavigations that can be
undertaken in a kayak. We wish to explore
this magnificent country and push ourselves
by undertaking our toughest journey to date.
How:
We’ll circumnavigate the South
Island in a clockwise direction, starting
from Christchurch in late January 2008. We
don’t plan to have a support party and will
carry everything we need in the kayaks, with
the exception that we’ll arrange a food drop
in Milford Sound. Other than that, we’ll
re-supply with food and fuel in shops along
the way.
The Challenges:
The main danger is
relentless surf. The swell on the south and
west coasts rarely drops below 2 metres with
hundreds of miles between sheltered
landings. We expect many surf landing and
launchings. Gales are common and can arrive
quickly so we have to plan carefully. In
Fjordland in the South-west there is no road
access for 300miles so we will have to be
entirely self-sufficient. These considerable
difficulties are the reason why only 3
paddlers have continuously circumnavigated
the island before.
Past circumnavigations:
In 1978, Paul Caffyn was the first person to
circumnavigate the South Island in 76 days
(Max Reynolds accompanied him on the first
400 miles around Fjordland). A support crew
followed him on land and helped find landing
spots. Paul was way ahead of his time with
this groundbreaking circumnavigation.
In 1995 Japanese paddler Kazutomi Yoshida
paddled from Nelson to Fjordland before a
fishing boat pulled him and his boat out of
the sea in poor condition. Kazutomi
abandoned the expedition and went home.
In 1996 Brian Roberts of Colorado completed
the first solo circumnavigation, starting
and finishing in Picton and taking 86 days.
He was knocked over once and had to swim his
boat to shore.
In 1999/ 2000, Chris Duff completed a solo
circumnavigation, starting and finishing in
Picton. Chris had over a dozen capsizes in
the surf and his kayak was smashed on a surf
landing. He repaired his kayak and
continued.
No women have yet circumnavigated the South
Island. Justine may become the first woman
to achieve this, although 2 other women (
Freya Hoffmeister from Germany and Barbro
Lindman from Sweden) are making 2
independent attempts on the South island
this year.
THE TEAM
(photo by Rowland Woollven)
Justine Curgenven:
Justine is an
adventure filmmaker and expedition
seakayaker, whos programmes have aired on
the National Geographic Channel, Channel 4,
Channel 5 and the BBC.
She runs Cackle TV and created the highly
acclaimed “This is the Sea” series of DVDs.
She’s won several prestigious prizes
including best ‘mountain sport’ film at
Banff Mountain Film Festival. She regularly
gives slide presentations and writes
magazine articles, nationally and
internationally. She’s competed for the
England surf kayaking team, winning several
of her heats. Previous seakayaking
expeditions include the first
circumnavigation of Wales, the first
all-female circumnavigation of Tasmania
(900-miles), a solo trip around Iceland’s
West Fjords, a 400mile journey up the
Pacific coast of Kamchatka and a 500 mile
circumnavigation of the Queen Charlotte
Islands.
Barry Shaw:
In 2005, Barry paddled
around Great Britain with Phil Clegg and
Harry Whelan. They beat Nigel Dennis and
Paul Caffyn's record time by completing the
2,200 mile journey in 80 days. Barry’s
paddled across the Irish sea between Wales,
Ireland and the Isle of Man 8 times, a
distance of up to 60 miles, and he paddled
75 miles around Anglesey in just 13 and a
half hours. In 2007 he paddled 300 miles
around the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
Barry works enough to pay the bills and
spends as much time as possible paddling,
usually going out 4 or 5 times a week. He
often works as a carpenter or teaches
seakayaking for Nigel Dennis in Wales, and
at UK and international symposiums. After a
day of teaching seakayaking, he likes to
spend the evening paddling in the Anglesey
tidal races to make sure he keeps “an edge”
to his personal paddling.
Sponsors:
The North Face, Seakayaking UK ( formerly
Nigel Dennis Kayaks), Lendal paddles,
Kokatat,, Silva compasses, Casio Pro-Trek
watches, MSR stoves and fuel bottles,
Sealline dry bags, Thermarest, Snapdragon
spray decks, Native Sunglasses.
