In a world-first, Sydney mates James Castrission and Justin Jones “Crossed the Ditch” by kayaking 2200 km, unassisted, from Foster (NSW) to Auckland (New Zealand). The pair set off from Forster Marina Boat Ramp on November 13, 2007.

Castrission (25, from Gordon) and Jones (24, from Kensington) took 2 years to prepare their custom-built kayak and expedition plans to ensure the safest possible journey. The "Crossing the Ditch" expedition was expected to take between 40 and 50 days. The two young men used the prevailing currents and winds to take them southeast from Newcastle to Auckland.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition dry suit
GORE-TEX® TecTOUR Jacket
SeaO2 life vest
Destination Paddling Shirt

The team launched from Melisenda with the sea a shiny mirror to circumnavigate the Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily by sea kayak. The journey will take 3 months to circumnavigate and explore both islands. During this adventure Wendy and René will indulge in the local cuisine, explore the shoreline communities and historical attractions, and investigate the affect of the Mediterranean Sea on the inhabitants along the shoreline and how the people affect the sea in return.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Storm Cag
GORE-TEX® Knappster
GORE-TEX® Anorak
MsFIT Tour and Guide life vests
Tributary hydration system

"On June 17th we launched into the swift current that bisects the city of Whitehorse. Our weather had recently turned much warmer, with highs in 70's to 80's and just when we thought it was too warm to be comfortable on the water, the clouds would build and an afternoon electrical storm would cool us down with strong winds and a short burst of rain."

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Anorak
GORE-TEX® Boater's Pants
Orbit life vest
Destination Wear

Marcus Waters and Graham Charles are on their way to attempt to ski/kite with sleds 700km across the Greenland icecap, and top off the expedition with an 800km sea kayak down the west coast. This classic journey across the roof of the world utilizes traditional Inuit modes of transport from the wild east coast of Greenland to the fabled west coast.

Adventure Philosophy believes in an adventurous spirit, the determination to pursue a dream or vision, the tenacity to overcome barriers, a willingness to take calculated risks, and a respect and affinity for the earth. Adventure Philosophy believes an adventurous spirit lies in the heart of people that make up a healthy society.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® TecTOUR Anorak
GORE-TEX® Whirlpool Bib
Guide and Ronin Pro life vests
Destination Wear

The team is exploring the entire 1538 kilometer Athabasca River from the Columbia Icefields, the hydrological apex of North America, to the internationally protected Peace-Athabasca Delta, the largest inland freshwater delta in the world. The last part of the journey involves the use of skis to summit of Mount Snowdome and then hike and paddle the headwaters of the Athabasca River in remote Jasper National Park, across Alberta to Lake Athabasca.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Front Entry dry suit
Ronin Pro life vest
OuterCore insulation

In September 2007, the Expedition Amazonas team will be taking on the challenge of a lifetime, when, over 7 months and 7000km, they will trek and paddle, totally unsupported, the entire length of the mighty Amazon River. This is a complete traverse of the South American continent from the Pacific Coast in Peru to the mouth of the Amazon River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean off Brazil.

The entire expedition will be captured in a professionally produced and edited documentary to be aired internationally. The expedition is partnered with environmental and indigenous rights action group, Amazon Watch and high-profile equipment sponsors.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Rogue dry top
Ronin Pro life vest
NeoZip Jane and John

The team will attempt to circumnavigate Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands) in single kayaks in 2007. This beautiful & remote island chain in British Columbia consists of 2 main islands, Graham & Moresby. It's a challenging and wild place to paddle. They aim to kayak around the main islands and back to the Canadian mainland, a total distance of about 1,000km.

Only a handful of other groups have previously achieved this. Allowing 6 weeks for the expedition hopefully will allow enough time to explore these beautiful islands as well as kayak around them. At the end of the trip they hope to cross back to mainland Canada via Stephens island. This 70km crossing is over a shallow channel which gets rough quickly in bad weather. The Haida people used to regularly paddle 500 miles through these waters so they'll be upkeeping a long tradition.

Gear List:
TROPOS Storm Cag
MisFIT Tour life vest
GORE-TEX® Anorak

Epicocity Project team members joined a team of scientists and cavers on a six week exploration of the Hargy Caldera in New Britain, Papua New Guinea. This National Geographic expedition gives voice to the recommendations of the United Nations Environmental Fund that this area be conserved.

The expedition involves three whitewater first descents (reached by foot and helicopter), exploration of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest cave system, collection of scientific data, and collaboration with local tribes. “It’s a daunting adventure and a story that will be captured on film, in magazine articles and photographs” says Epicocity Project producer Kyle Dickman.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Anorak
GORE-TEX® Knappster
GORE-TEX® Rogue
Ronin Pro life vest
Destination Wear
Inner and OuterCore Insulation

Eager to protect the dramatic landscapes of Western Patagonia, this September Cristian Donoso will lead an expedition by kayak to this region, one of the most inhospitable places on earth. Spending five months navigating open seas and fjords and pulling their kayaks across glaciers, Donoso and his team will face daunting physical and mental challenges as they gather information that will inform Chile, and the world, about this little-known area.

With its labyrinth of rocky islands, serpentine channels, and icy fjords, Western Patagonia in southern Chile is one of the least-explored areas on earth. Nestled among glaciers that hug the slopes of steep Andean peaks and drenched by storms that blow out of the southern Pacific, the harsh region deters all but the hardiest explorers. During this five-month ‘Transpatagonia Expedition’ the team will traverse 2,039 km of the central part of Western Patagonia on open sea, lakes, and rivers. They will travel overland for 150 km – including 22 km atop glaciers, dragging their kayaks with provisions behind them as sleds. The group will ascend unclimbed peaks and visit uncharted territories.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition dry suit
Ronin Pro life vest

The two Argentinean brothers, will attempt the Patagonian crossing for the first time without external support. This estimated 30-day crossing will take them from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, along more than 660 kilometres of fjords, lakes, and ice-caps.

In their double kayak they will first navigate the Chilean fjords to penetrate the Southern Patagonian Ice Field along the Jorge Montt glacier. Next they will pull the kayak as a sled across 200km of snow and ice to reach Upsala glacier. Finally, they will paddle across Lake Argentino and descend the Santa Cruz River to the Atlantic Ocean. The route follows the journey made by legendary explorer Eric Shipton in 1960-1961. This crossing will be unique in the fact that, the Basombrio brothers will be crossing the whole Patagonia for the first time from the Pacific to the Atlantic unsupported.

Gear List:
Helix dry top
OutFIT Tour life vest

The Last Descent is a documentary film with the goal to raise awareness that some of the World's greatest rivers are being destroyed by large scale hydropower projects. The team will descend the Marsyandi River in Nepal, the Brahmaputra River in India, the White Nile in Uganda and the Rio Baker in Chile. All four of these great rivers are in the process of being dammed or are threatened by hydropower projects. The team departs for the Himalayas in October of 2007 and returns from Africa in March 2008. The film will be released in the Spring of 2009.
Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Meridian
GORE-TEX® Knappster
Ronin Pro life vests
Destination Wear
Inner and OuterCore Insulation

In celebration of the 110th anniversary of the Belgica expedition, following the steps of Adrien de Gerlache, Dixie Dansercoer and the crew of The Euronav Belgica, intends to repeat this expedition in the South Pole in the winter of 2007-2008. Whilst in the South Pole, Dixie and his team will not only follow step by step the route taken by Adrien de Gerlache, but also attempt to climb previously unexplored and unnamed mountains and try to gather ecological and meteorological data.

Photo:©Christian Hofmann

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition dry suit
Ronin Pro life vest
Innercore and OuterCore insulation

The team successfully completed their record attempt to circumnavigate Vancouver Island on May 30! The Sea Kayaking UK ‘Triton’ double kayak helped achieve their goal: to complete the 700 mile journey in record time (previous record of 28 days in a single kayak held by Leon Sommé). “We have chosen to use this Record Attempt to raise awareness of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and support its cause” says the team. For more info or to donate funds please visit www.justgiving.com/seakayaking

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition dry suit
GORE-TEX® Meridian dry suit
Ronin Pro life vest
GORE-TEX® Pullover
GORE-TEX® Knappster
Offshore Deluxe sea skirt
Tributary hydration system

Freya Hoffmeister, Kokatat supported paddler, and Greg Stamer, Qajaq USA president, planned to circumnavigate Iceland in June/July 2007 spontaneously after teaching at the inspiring Anglesey Sea Kayak symposium in Wales. They had only 2 days of planning at home, then went to Newfoundland to teach at another symposium and to tour the coast for 8 days in cold stormy conditions, a "dry run" for their planned trip. Following Newfoundland the team had another week to prepare at home before departing on the expedition to circumnavigate Iceland.

Hoffmeister and Stamer set out at 10:30 am, June 9th 2007. They started with a 90 km crossing of Faxafloi Bay on the first day, followed by another 100 km day with a 65 km crossing and 22 hrs of overall water time the second day due to some early arriving headwinds. Going from headland to headland directed the trip, with some quiet weather on the West and North coast, but challenging conditions on the East and on the infamous remote black sand South Coast. Although this was not a race, the team completed the circumnavigation in record time, including two long open-water crossings that were never before done by kayak. "The trip was a great experience and we enjoyed pushing our limits in some very challenging conditions", said Stamer.

They encountered great numbers of whales, dolphins and large seals on the trip, saw skies darkened by blizzards of seabirds, and were humbled by mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and cliffs of massive scale. Hoffmeister and Stamer completed the 1620 km circumnavigation in 33 days using 25 paddling days and averaging 65 km per day. They are available to present an inspiring slideshow about this Iceland trip. For more information please visit www.qajaqunderground.com and www.qajaqusa.org

Photo: ©Greg Stamer

Gear list:
GORE-TEX® Expedition dry suit
GORE-TEX® Storm Cag
Neo Kayak Mitt
Outercore Long Sleeve Top and Pant

Joe O’Blenis successfully completed the solo sea kayaking circumnavigation of British Columbia’s rugged Vancouver Island, an expedition of roughly 1150 kilometers (just over 700 miles). Despite brutal winds, Joe shattered the solo record by four and a half days, completing it in 23 days and 10 hours. Leon Sommé held the previous record of 28 days.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® TecTour Anorak
GORE-TEX® Deluxe Boater's Pant
ULC Ronin Pro life vest
Destination Wear
InnerCore insulation

"Exploring such a wild and remote coast under your own steam in a sea kayak, knowing you are totally dependant on your self and two mates, and being able to get to places and seen things no one else has ever seen before is beyond description. As is the coast line itself and the ice. We knew it would be wild and impressive but never realised how much so. Nor did we appreciate how insignificant we would feel in such a huge and remote world. Seeing the polar bears, close and in the wild on their terms was amazing and if nothing else was worth all the effort."

In June 2006 Martin, Pete and Phil flew out to Scoresbysund via Iceland to undertake this extreme trip, and they had to rely on a certain amount of good fortune with weather and ice conditions to complete the expedition.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Meridian with Relief Zipper and Socks
GORE-TEX® XCR® TecTOUR Anorak®
RetroFIT life vest
Tributary Hydration System

Photo: ©Martin Rickard

"I have come full circle, ending exactly where I started at the public dock in Isle Aux Morts. I have absorbed the essence of Newfoundland now for 3 1/2 months, both on the sea and on land. It is an unforgettable experience, too vast to summarize briefly here, a journey that started on May 5, 2006 and ended August 16, 2006."

Her plans to start her journey at the southwestern tip of Newfoundland near Port Aux Basques and paddle the approximately 2700 km traveling counterclockwise came true. Though she's frequented the beautiful island of Newfoundland numerous times, exploring "The Rock" extensively on foot and by car, it was the first time that she explored the coast for longer than brief day paddles. She kept the journey simple, not planning a regimented schedule or exact route.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit
MsFIT Tour life vest

Photos: ©Halldor Sveinbjornsson and ©Wendy Killoran

In August of 2006, Alaskan Adventure team members explored a remote area of Alaska and helped with donations to the Colorado Cancer Foundation.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is America's largest wilderness, and Alaska's largest national wildlife refuge, its 19.6-million acres encompassing the full range of arctic ecosystems. The team crossed this vast landscape by descending on the Kongakut River, which is one of the many rivers that offers a chance to travel the full length of the land, from the Brooks mountain range to the Arctic Ocean. The goal was to explore parts of Alaska by inflatable canoes on a wild river, and by trekking, climbing, and skiing a variety of Alaskan mountains, experience the wildlife, and travel to the Arctic Sea. Kokatat is proud to be a Premier Sponsor for this expedition.

Gear List:
Expedition Dry Suit
Polartec Dry Suit Liner

The Biofuels Education Coalition (BEC) is an umbrella organization, created as a voice to promote the use of alternative energy. Under BEC is a world wide tour called the Oil + Water Project, featuring a demonstration vehicle fueled by vegetables that will travel to communities for youth-oriented presentations. Leg one of the six leg world journey will cover 16,00 miles over 2 continents, visiting locals in over 16 countries along the way.

Sparked by the unified vision of two brotherly kayakers with a passion for sustainable lifestyle choices, the Oil + Water Project combines their passion for life on the water with a strong desire to motivate and educate youth to make sustainable lifestyle choices through alternative energy. Spanning the world, the Project is a combination of adventure, education, advocacy, media and friendships that promises to be a unique experience for all involved.

The Oil + Water Project (O+WP) is a multi-leg, worldwide journey that involves driving the worlds first self-sustaining demonstration Toyota fire truck with a built-in converter that burns only bio-fuels to promote sustainable lifestyle choices by educating the younger generations along the route, on all aspects of alternative fuels.

The Oil + Water Project launched their national biofuel awareness and fundraising tour on March 25, 2006. This initial phase of the tour will extend until July 1st, at which time the tour will embark on their Americas tour, from Alaska to Chile.

At each destination listed above, the Oil + Water Project demonstrations will include a combination of visits to a participating retail outlet, a public middle school, and an evening venue for an outside vehicle demonstration and movie screening.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Knappster
Rogue Dry Top
GMER Dy Suit

Photo: ©Oil + Water Project

This close-knit team of keen and very experienced Australian sea kayakers sailed to Antarctica for ground-breaking 40 day expedition. The team members have extensive experience with decades of sea kayaking, mountaineering and outdoor adventure between them. They disembarked the yacht at the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and paddled their sea kayaks unsupported for over 1,000 km south along the coast to Marguerite Bay - further south than any sea kayak in the world has ever been before. This expedition traces a fascinating historic link with John Rymill, the celebrated Australian explorer who led the British Graham Land Expedition (BGLE) to Antarctica in 1934-37. Rymill had strong links to kayaking; he learned this craft in the Arctic from the Inuit people with Gino Watkins, the famous British explorer who died while kayaking alone in Greenland. Rymill's three-year BGLE on the Antarctic Peninsula explored parts of Graham Land where no human had ever set foot before. The John Rymill Memorial Antarctic Kayak Expedition retraced the travels of Rymill and his men.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit
Polartec 100 Dry Suit Liner

Photos: ©Andrew McAuley

Graham, Mark and Marcus became the first group to successfully circumnavigate South Georgia by sea kayak! The remote South Atlantic island made famous by Sir Ernest Shackleton, and now a place that symbolizes overcoming hardship and the will to survive against all odds – is one of the most dramatic landscapes and wildest places on earth. Located at a latitude shared with Cape Horn and hammered by the same brutal weather, South Georgia was the destination Shackleton and his men reached in a small open boat after a desperate crossing from their shipwreck in Antarctica.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit
Polartec® 100 Dry Suit Liner

Photos: ©Graham Charles

Four highly experienced kayakers icrcumnavigated the island of South Georgia this November. One could be forgiven in thinking that it is not a very difficult task, but looking at the environment and weather conditions you realize that the challenge they set themselves is one not to be taken lightly.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit
Polartec® 100 Dry Suit Liner
MsFIT TOUR Life Vest

In March of 2005 these two polar adventurers attempted a double-back traverse of the Bering Strait, a never-before accomplished feat. Their goal was to reach Siberia from Alaska on foot and then return to Alaskan shores in the same manner. Although short on distance (56 miles), the challenges were great and ranged from ocean currents, leads (open water), frostbite, storms and polar bears.

Due to the extreme conditions on the Strait, specially developed equipment was required; sleds that served as water craft, tents that floated, and traction kites were all necessary. As a result of global warming, confrontation with open water was imminent; Kokatat’s Expedition dry suits kept the explorers warm and dry during their short but difficult journey.

After one week on the ice the explorers were slowed down by the continuing drift and the difficulty of navigating through a maze of convoluted ice and small open leads. The south-easterly drift that drove the men away from their route had picked up enormous speed and it became impossible to pursue the expedition. On April 6, the expedition had to be evacuated due to extremely bad weather and ice conditions.

The Bering Strait Odyssey wished to highlight Native Cultures of Alaska and Russia, increase awareness of Global Warming, and bring unprecedented visibility to UNICEF.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX© Expedition Dry Suit built to order (fur lined hood not available as a special order… sorry)
Polartec® 100 Dry Suit Liner and Shirt
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Pullover and Anorak
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Nor’wester hat
ProFIT Tour Life Vest
InnerCore and OuterCore insulation

Photos: ©Christian Hofmann

These women have been exploring the waters of Northern Wisconsin and Canada since before they were big enough to portage canoes on their own. All long-time campers and staff members at Camp Manito-wish YMCA, a wilderness tripping and leadership organization for youth ages 10-17, the women planned a 90-day canoeing expedition through Northern Canada during the summer of 2005. The focus of their expedition was to raise funds for an endowment that will extend to new generations of paddlers the Manito-wish experience that has played a uniquely powerful role in each of their lives. Beginning at Wollaston Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, their route covered over 1,200 miles of Canadian Wilderness.

Traveling through Boreal forest and Arctic tundra, the women encountered bear attacks, expansive lakes and challenging whitewater as they paddled the Fond du Lac, Dubawnt and Back Rivers, completing their journey at Chantrey Inlet on the Arctic Ocean.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Anorak
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Boater’s Pant
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Nor’wester hat
Destination Paddling Pant
MsFIT and Guide Life Vest

Photos: ©Team Borealis

In May 2005, Scott Miller and Todd Foster embarked upon a 2250-mile historical canoe expedition from Saint Cloud to Hudson Bay. Todd and Scott were inspired to take the trip after reading "Canoeing with the Cree" by Eric Sevareid, a book that recounts Sevareid's trip with his friend Walter Port along the same route in 1930. 2005 marks the 75th anniversary of Sevareid and Port's trip. The primary objectives of the voyage were to examine how the rivers and lakes along the route have changed in 75 years and draw attention to their continuing beauty and efforts to preserve and restore them, to celebrate the lives of the diverse people who live along the rivers and lakes along the route, and to provide educational opportunities about canoeing, wilderness, Minnesota, Canada and caring for the environment.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Full Zip Jacket
GORE-TEX® XCR® Action Jacket
TROPOS Deluxe Boater's Pant
Destination Paddling Shirt
OutFIT TOUR Life Vest

Photos: ©Scott Miller and Todd Foster

In May of 2005, polar explorers Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen embarked on a history-making expedition – the first summer crossing of the Arctic. Their four-month journey planned to cross the frozen ice cap from Cape Arcitchesky, Siberia to the geographic North Pole, then on to Ellesmere Island, Canada. The expedition hoped to create awareness of global climate change.

25 days into their journey after traveling 150 miles and covering only 45 miles north toward the North Pole, the One World team was forced to cut short their attempt to cross the Arctic ocean and were airlifted off the ocean by helicopter. Unusually deep snow combined with strong southeast and southwest drift erased their hard-won progress each night as they slept. These factors made it impossible for them to continue with any hope of reaching their goal before winter storms set in.

The chaotic weather in the Arctic this year reinforced their conviction that global warming is a very real threat. The One World team remains strongly committed to campaigning for action on human-caused global climate change. They plan to work in some capacity with their environmental partner Greenpeace this summer as they continue with their Project Thin Ice campaign. Lonnie, one of five 2004 Rolex Laureates, and Eric will undertake a North Pole to Greenland attempt either this summer or in summer 2006, also something that has never been done before.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit
GORE-TEX® Whirlpool Bib

Photos: ©Lonnie Dupre/One World Expedition

The seaway to the Orient has been the major driving force in the exploration and mapping of the earth. For centuries, people dreamed of a route north of America because the two southern seaways to Asia, southeast of Africa and southwest of South America, were long and fraught with peril. Sir Martin Forbisher was the first to make a serious attempt to find a passage through the ice and archipelago in 1576. He did not succeed. Many attempts were made after Forbisher, though to no avail until three decades later when in 1905 Roald Amundsen, the captain of an American whaling ship, conquered the passage – more than once. The purpose of this 2005 summer expedition is to first and foremost prove that the Northwest Passage is passable by kayak in a single season; second, to pay tribute to Roald Amundsen and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first crossing through the Northwest Passage; and third, to document the historic expeditions that form the background for Amundsen’s travels.

Part personal challenge, part photo documentary, 2220 was a sixty day kayak expedition that begun in June and navigates around the entire coastline of Sweden by husband and wife team Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard and John Paul Bichard. Alongside the personal challenge of a 2220 kilometer paddle (hence the expedition name), the aim was to also record their experiences in an innovative and accessible way. The team was documenting the Blue Ribbon expedition as a location based photo series by recording the coordinates of their shots as they were progressing. On their website they linked the images and journal entries to their location on an interactive map of the route. This allowed viewers to share their experiences from where they occur, get an idea of their impressions of the unfolding landscape and explore their encounters with weather, sea and wildlife.

Gear List:
GORE-TEX® XCR® TecTOUR Anorak
MSFIT TOUR Life Vest

Photos: ©John Paul Bichard, ©Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard

Chris has traveled over 17,000 miles since 1983 when he paddled 8,000 miles around the eastern third of US and Canada. In 1996, he became the first person to solo circumnavigate England, Wales and Scotland, and he is the only person to have soloed the entire British Isles. In April of 2000 Chris completed his 1700 mile solo circumnavigation of New Zealand's South Island. He is also an advanced certified kayak instructor as well as a published author; his well-received ‘On Celtic Tides - One Man's Journey Around Ireland by Sea kayak’, and his second memoir ‘Southern Exposure - A solo circumnavigation of New Zealand’s South Island’ are available in bookstores. His latest adventure took he and his team on an expedition to circumnavigate Iceland in four months time.

Photos: ©Seabury Blair