|
Born in 1962, I started
paddling in 1978 whilst serving in the Armed
Forces. I joined the Grenadier Guards
straight from school seeing service in West
Germany, France, Northern Ireland, Belize
and Cyprus. It was seeing the beautiful
lines of a Nordkap lay on the Tarmac in
Larnaca (Cyprus) all ready to go on
expedition that planted the first seeds of a
dream that has now fully occupied my life
for the last seven years or so.
Having left the Army in
1987, I moved to Falmouth, Cornwall and have
since worked as a commercial Fisherman, Boat
Builder, Self defense instructor, Harbour
Master's Assistant and more recently have
been instructing Sea Kayaking at the
Falmouth Marine School. Having delivered
yachts locally and as far a field as Norway,
I hold a great deal of respect for the Sea
with all its moods and ways.
I currently run a new
business with partners, ‘Skalybax Sea Kayak
Adventures LLP’, incorporating an
outfitters/retail shop, 'Atlantic Kayak’. We
run the full range of BCU courses as well as
our own tailor made clinics.
Previous expeditions:
In 2002 I crossed to the
Scilly Isles by kayak and in 2003 I paddled
all 300 miles of the Cornish coast in a
little over 4 days. These trips showed me
what a beautiful location Cornwall is for
sea kayaking and I find no greater joy than
introducing people to the world of Kayaking
or showing them some of the hidden secrets
of ancient Kernow. (Celtic for Cornwall)
In 2004 I went on expedition with Hadas
Feldman and together we completed a full
circumnavigation of the four main Islands of
Japan. After 139 paddling days spread over a
six month period we completed a journey in
excess of 6500 kilometres.
In 2005 I also completed the first
circumnavigation of South Georgia by a
British team along with Peter Bray, Nigel
Dennis and Hadas Feldman.
On all of my expeditions I try to highlight
the needs of the Child Growth Foundation and
other children’s charities.
I have delivered
presentations and am quite adept at public
speaking, having talked at various venues
around the globe.
I am available for presentations on 'Paddle
Japan' (On a Wing and a Prayer) and also on
the recent circumnavigation of South
Georgia.
I have written numerous
publications for the kayaking and outdoor
press and I am currently writing a book on
the Japan circumnavigation. 'Karma Waters'
which should be available in spring of 2007.
Future Intentions:
2007 Circumnavigation of
Great Britain
And I am also looking at the feasibility of
a circumnavigation of Madagascar.
. . Since you asked:
Best Moment: This
has to be when you get a wildlife encounter
and there’s been a few of those, I think the
one that sticks in my mind most was when I
had just set off from my local beach at
Maenporth. Having just got out through the
surf I relaxed and waited for a group of
students to come together when a big Bottle
nose Dolphin exploded out of the water.
Leaping fully clear, he looked as if he had
a big grin on his face. For the next half
hour or so we were gifted with an amazing
display of Dolphin acrobatics. Also in
Hokkaido, during the Japan trip, we saw
Grizzlies for the first time, taking Salmon
from the river mouths.
Worst Moment: The
last few days of the Japan circumnavigation
was a lesson in frustration, our visa’s were
running out, as had most of our money, the
weather had turned really foul, a north
easterly gale had held us up on the Chiba
coastline, which had kicked up a lot of big
surf. When it was suitable to continue, down
came the fog!, we paddled on a knife edge
for about three days in almost zero
visibility, trying to stay just outside the
surf zone. Fishing boats were operating
beyond the surf zone and with good radar
they motor at considerable speed, Hadas was
more wary of the Boats than the surf and
headed in closer, we got to close, there
must have been a lull in the sets which were
hard to read due to the poor visibility and
we both almost got wiped out, managing to
break back out just in time, Japan’s coast
is inundated with extremely large concrete
defenses and landing anywhere would have
been hazardous, we headed out beyond the
break and almost got run down by a fishing
boat, we decided to paddle at night to
finish the last day, just to escape the fog.
What I like best:
Going on expedition, I am an expedition
junkie, I prefer longer trips where it can
become more of a life style than a trip. The
freedom a sea kayak gives you is great. I
used to be into sailing, it’s so expensive
though and now I get far more out of
paddling.
Worst habit:
Picking my nose!!
Qualifications
BCU Level 4 Coach (sea)
BCU 5 Star (sea)
RYA Yacht Master (shore based)
RYA Powerboat Level 2
RYA SafetyBoat
NARS Beach life guard
WAS First Aid (in the workplace)
NCFE Drugs Awareness
BIIAB Parts 1&2
For More:
»
More
Paddler Profiles |
)
)
)
)
