New Vancouver Island circumnavigation record attempt

[jkjk]

Last summer Joe O'Blenis made it around Vancouver Island in 23 days, 10 hours - a record for a single. The year before Kieron Tastagh and Jeff Norville did it in 19 1/2 days in a double. British kayaker Sean Morley is hoping to do it in 18 days. Sean made a name for himself completing the first solo circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland and all the inhabited islands; a six month, 4,500-mile trip.

It's high on PR: he's leaving right after the West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium, Sept. 22. Personally I'd time it to finish then, as the weather can change abruptly in September, and be downright wintery in October. This will put him around Cape Scott in the early days of October. Hopefully he'll have a nice break in the weather then.

Here's his description of the trip from his press release on the subject:

“Vancouver Island can present some of the most challenging conditions a kayaker can face including fierce winds and huge waves off the notorious headlands of Cape Scott and the Brooks Peninsular, high surf and treacherous reefs guarding the remote beaches of the west coast and raging tidal rapids reaching speeds of 15knots in the myriad of channels separating the Vancouver Island from the mainland.”

It's only that bad if you rush it!

[beaker]

"Treacherous reefs, raging tidal rapids, fierce winds." Good! This impression will be sure to keep the riff-raff away. I'll get to keep my beautiful beaches all to myself.

[waver]

You'd figure he'd want to finish up at the kayak symposium. He is cutting it a bit late, you'd think. But I suppose after the British Isles Cape Scott would be a piece of cake.

[bukko]

A shame to rush past such wonderful scenery. How about the contest for the longest circumnavigation? I plan to do it bit by bit over the next 25 or so.

[jkjk]

It looks like Sean is planning to leave from Port Hardy, waiting for a break in the weather to make a run around Cape Scott. His plan is this will bring him into the protected portion of the coast in early October, rather than running the outer coast at that time and ending in Victoria. Sounds reasonable.

[dcooper]

So the plan is to make it around in 18 days. That means an 18-day window with no storms at the end of Sept and beginning of Oct. Unless he plans to paddle through storms. I imagine the conditions on his previous trip around the British Isles must have been comparible to Cape Scott, but was the time of year comparible? I just hope he realizes the record depends entirely on the benevolence of the weather, not his skill or speed, and if his plan is to muscle through it then he's setting himself up to take foolhardy risks. I wish him well but only if he's level-headed. I think a search and rescue would be a huge setback for adventure kayaking.

[Indigo]

Is there a good season for a carefree trip around Vancouver Island? Seems to me even August has been fairly crappy this year. Statistically it's the best month for weather, isn't it?

[Sleepsw/fishies]

I would have gone out for an evening paddle myself if it wasn't blowing up a storm out there. well, not a storm, but quite windy. Don't think it would stop Sean though. But yeah, there is no safe time to do this trip and Septembers can be quite pleasant. Sometimes the best month of the year.

[Sleepsw/fishies]

I just wanted to add another comment after reading about Gordon Pugh's north pole debacle (please see my post in that thread). Here's my new assessment of this trip:

What is Sean Morley going to do when he hits an area and gets this forecast: "Strong winds this morning becoming gale force later today." Does he sit tight? Run it?

What happens when he gets that forecast every day, day after day? Environment Canada is notorious for its wind warnings. Does he become his own weather forecaster and give the official forecast a back seat?

If he listens to the forecast, no doubt at some point on his trip there will be a string of gale warnings. If he plans 40-50 miles a day, he will have to ignore these. If he doesn't ignore them, there's no way he can set the record.

My point: should we condone a plan where the success requires ignoring weather warnings?

I see the latest Sea Kayaker has an article on the Brooks Peninsula solo death of a few years back. The bottom line there: he ignored basic weather traits for the region.

I think it's prudent in advance to challenge Sean on his plans for weather assessment. I don't want to seem to be supporting a potentially fatal expedition.

[riverandocean]

John K kindly brought my attention to some of the posts about my attempt to break the record for the fastest circumnavigation of Vancouver Island by kayak.

Firstly I would just like to say how grateful I am for the interest and how valid all the comments are and please believe me that I have given considerable thought to all of these issues.

In terms of safety, heeding weather warnings, etc I would just say that each situation has to be taken in context. Your location, intended route, the strength and direction of the wind, the fetch and size of swell, nature of the coastline, escape routes, your own level of ability and your current physical condition have to be taken into consideration and sensible parameters set. You may wish to take a look at the risk assessments I undertook before my circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland to give you an idea of my approach to risk (www.expeditionkayak.com) That said of course an expedition of this nature is all about pushing limits and it comes down to judgement and learning from experience. This area is new to me. I don't not understand the Pacific weather systems as well as those in the Atlantic. I will be cautious whilst I get a feel for it and only start to push hard when I feel comfortable in my surroundings.

I recognise that a high profile undertaking like this can attract the attention of the media and it is important that it is a good news story. The ironic thing is that in my experience, the media aren't really interested until things go wrong!

To answer the understandable question of why anyone would want to 'race' around such a beautiful island, I guess one has to be of a competitive nature to understand. It's the same reason why adventure racers go to exotic places to put themselves through hell instead of relaxing on the beach, or why folk go running in the hills instead of walking. Sue I would love to spend the rest of my life exploring Vancouver Island. Unfortunately I only have three weeks available and I want to see as much of it as I can. I also love competition and the physical and logistical challenges of travelling fast in a wilderness area. Yes it's all about ego, about being the first, the fastest, whatever. But that is what opens our minds to what is possible and allows us to grow. I absolutely respect those that would rather take three weeks to explore just one inlet or island group in detail and get to know every facet of its natural environment. Maybe one day I will let myself slow down enough to do just that. In the meantime, whilst my body will let me, I will continue to push my boundaries and set goals that to some may seem foolhardy but to others are inspiring.

I can't wait to get going. Fingers crossed for calm weather. At the end of the day, breaking records is all about being lucky.
Sean Morley

[bukko]

I'd hate to think there'd be any comparison between Sean's trip and the fellow who went missing at Brooks Peninsula. I haven't seen the SK article, but I have heard accounts and it certainly sounded like the fellow flouted common sense. Sean, the sea is the sea, Atlantic or Pacific, and if you're comfortable in rough conditions then you're likely to be more miserable than dead. There's nothing worse than battling a strong headwind in choppy wind waves, but that won't kill you if you keep your guard up and don't get exhausted. B.

[bukko]

I see he has the Spot thing going:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... CltLlDtL2r

Not sure if that link will work for everyone. hopefully it will.

Seems he made it around Cape Scott within the first 2 days. Good for him! A very positive start, though the weather isn't looking great today:

"Wind southeast 25 to 35 knots increasing to 35 to 45 this afternoon except 50 near the headlands. Wind diminishing to southwest 15 to 25 early this evening and to southerly 10 to 15 late overnight. Wind increasing to southeast 25 to 35 Saturday evening."

50 near headlands? Sheesh! He has some exposed coast for that kind of weather.

[jkjk]

I see he made it to Grant Bay from Lowrie Bay in a day. That was my scariest stretch of coast when I did the outer island, so good on him for getting past, especially when the forecast sounded bleak. Very impressive! I think it took me a week to do what he did in three days, of course I did the island from PH to Nanaimo in 86, so he should have no trouble beating my time. Anyway, so far very impressive.

[Sleepsw/fishies]

I see he's around Brooks Peninsula - in four days. OK, he has my respect.

[waver]

I turn my back for a few days and he's about 1/3 the way around the island. On the spot map it looks like it's a downhill trip with no hurdles. I hope he doesn't pay for it on the uphill side.

[Sleepsw/fishies]

Hey, he only paddled five hours today, and it looks like his last SPOT entry is suspiciously close to Hot Springs Cove. That's not the way to set a speed record!

[Indigo]

Hey, he only paddled five hours today, and it looks like his last SPOT entry is suspiciously close to Hot Springs Cove. That's not the way to set a speed record!

Someone should go there and yank him out before it's too late.

[beaker]

Let's see: a choice of laying in hot water, soaking in a relaxing setting, or getting back out on a cold ocean and battling waves and wind....

Nope, I've gotta side w/Sean on this one. He's earned himself the afternoon.

[Indigo]

I just checked the Spot page and there's no Wed. a.m. dot. Looks like he's still soaking at Hot Springs Cove. I think it's definitely time for an intervention.

[jkjk]

Okay, this isn't good. Unless the SPOT quit, he's stalled after a short day yesterday (compared to his usual pace) at the first place he had an opportunity to get a lift out. The scenario is he's soaking or he pulled a muscle, etc., and had to call the trip yesterday afternoon or is delaying his trip to rest (HSC being a good spot to do that). Or the SPOT isn't functioning. Hopefully his wife will update the blog when he paddles into Tofino.

[Indigo]

Spot does have a spotty record sometimes; West Coast Paddler had a false alarm (link and discussion: http://www.westcoastpaddler.com/communi ... php?t=2201).

I guess the problem here is that he should have hit Tofino or will be hitting in the next hour or two if he's still paddling. Unless it's blowing a gale, but I'm not sure why he didn't Spot this morning unless Spot isn't working. So hopefully there's a bog update this afternoon... Keeping my fingers xed.

[Indigo]

Um, blog update.

[Indigo]

False alarm. He's in Ucluelet.

[jkjk]

I'm just reading up on his blog on how he's holed up in Ucluelet. I can see his dilemma now - Juan de Fuca is notoriously bad when it wants to be. Coming down the coast in 2003 I hit my worst weather up-island, but the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail portion of the trip was bad for a different reason. Short, choppy 2-3 foot wind waves were miserable, and the only place on the whole trip I had to use brace strokes to stay upright. I pulled into Sooke Inlet soaked and exhausted and demoralized. The only good news for me was the wind dropped almost completely the next day and I was able to make it from Sooke Basin to Discovery Island - my longest distance in a day on that trip. It's unfortunate Sean has been against the wind so much. When Joe O'Blenis did the trip clockwise in 2003 he was against the wind all the way up island. Then when he could have used the boost on the inside the wind dropped. He's still in good shape to make the record, though, especially if the wind stays southerly once he's on the inside. If you get a good tail-wind in the Strait of Georgia it can be the non-choppy surfing kind - the kind with which you can make good time.

[bukko]

It looks like he's heading out today against SE gales. If he had left a couple of weeks ago he would have had a NW tailwind the whole way. Something to remember for the next guy who wants to set a record.

[beaker]

Isn't there someone going around the island now in the other direction? With the wind behind him he could actually win this race. Ha, just kidding, he's not racing. Anyway, if anyone knows a blog or info about that fellow, please post.

[jkjk]

That'd be Dan Henderson of Cascade Canoe and Kayak Center in Bellevue. The trip was in support of breast cancer research at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center. His blog is here:

http://dancanoekayak.blogspot.com/2008/ ... tempt.html

It ended early. The weather hasn't cooperated. He set a very tough agenda for himself. A shame!

[nordaq]

I'm looking at his Spot log and it appears Sean paddled from Victoria (Cadboro bay?) morning Oct 6 to just north of Comox in 2 days. Thats really impressive, I'm guessing 230km in two days, and thats without fresh arms.

[Indigo]

Looks like he's in. I'm not sure how many days, but it must be a record. Good on him. He made it look easy - which I'm sure it wasn't.

[riverandocean]

Hi Folks,

I just want to thank you for your interest in my record attempt. John Kimantas has conducted an interview with me for a forthcoming issue of Wavelength so I don't want to steal his thunder but if you asked me to sum up the trip in a word, it was 'brutal'!

That said, three perfect days out of 17 isn't bad I guess and the memory of those days has already dulled the pain and left me with a yearning to get back and explore all the bits I missed as soon as my family will allow!

Thanks to everyone who logged on to my website and checked out the Spot. FYI I never made it to Hot Springs Cove, much to my regret. Although your assessment that once I had sampled the warm waters I would be reluctant to leave was 'spot' on! I know the Spot website was down for a period but in general I thought it worked pretty well and I know my friends and family appreciated me using it so I can certainly reccomend it from that respect. Who knows if it would have worked in a crisis. I don't ever wish to find out!

Anyway, good luck to the next ego driven 'crazy' who tries to beat the new record of 17 days, 4 hours and 49 minutes. I know Joe is thinking about it again for 2009. I wish him all the best and if I can help anyone planning anything similar please feel free to contact me: sean@riverandocean.com or cell: 415-816-8746.

Sean Morley

[bukko]

Well done, Sean, and congrats on making it look easy. The mileage you covered in a day was incredible. Certainly the SPOT gave a new dimension to following the trip. I can't wait until they have a more sophisticated version that allows you transmit more than just your wherabouts but a message and maybe photos and such. Surely it's only a few years away.

[jkjk]

Looks like Joe O. is going to try and reclaim his record next year. Um, rather:

I am not ATTEMPTING to get the record back...I AM getting it back! Goal? 16 days or under! Have been emailing Sean since before his attempt and we have been in support of each other. I was the first to congratulate him....what he did was amazing! Man...I told him, I wanted him to beat my time....but did he have to do it by so much?? LOL

Well, it'll be good to have him back from Ontario for a West Coast pint, anyway.

[nordaq]

Joe if your reading this, lay off those cheap Ontario beers and stop swatting the blackflies or shoveling the driveway you should be out in your yak giving all your worth every day till next summer, 18 days will be a very hard one to beat. Of course the lakes will be frozen so you'll have to train in the pool, could be a problem, looks like you'll have to head to the Coast, problem is which one?

[jkjk]

1. Beer is a mandatory part of training.

2. Snow shouldn't be a problem. In fact, I can see substantial benefits in attempting to kayak training in snow. A great upper body workout. Uphill only, though, Joe.

[Joe_O]

Joe if your reading this, lay off those cheap Ontario beers and stop swatting the blackflies or shoveling the driveway you should be out in your yak giving all your worth every day till next summer, 18 days will be a very hard one to beat. Of course the lakes will be frozen so you'll have to train in the pool, could be a problem, looks like you'll have to head to the Coast, problem is which one?

Nordak? This has GOT to be Carey?

Paddling Lake Superior is nice...but she ain't no ocean, thats for sure. I miss the tides, currents and the salt water man!

[Joe_O]

1. Beer is a mandatory part of training.

2. Snow shouldn't be a problem. In fact, I can see substantial benefits in attempting to kayak training in snow. A great upper body workout. Uphill only, though, Joe.

Uhhh....been there done that.....2004....51 kilometer portage from Kemano, up and over the Coast Mountains...crossing a pass at 3300 feet with my solo canoe when paddling to Montreal from the BC coast....nope, won't be doing that kind of training for this one boys.

Cheers...Joe

[nordaq]

Joe_O you should be seeking sponsorship from a brewery.

I see that Riaan Manser paddling around Madagascar has got a Windhock Lager logo on his home page banner.
http://www.africa365.co.za/

Maybe this is a new trend? Adventurers and beer seems to have cultural precedents. Even in the Lord of the Rings a day of adventure seems to be capped by a visit to the pub. Must say winding down after a hard day of adventuring (paddlng) sitting on the beach with a beer in hand reflecting on your days travels or pondering if the Hadron super-collider will generate a black hole and consume the planet, can be a very special moment.

Of course only bring cans and pack everything out!

[Joe_O]

Don't tempt me on that.... hahaha....would (should) wait until AFTER the expedition though for enjoying the uhhh...proceeds...of that type of sponsorship.

[Indigo]

I'd consider the sponsorship DURING the trip. Imagine the publicity Vancouver Island Brewery could get if they could claim they powered your trip around the island!

[nickayak]

Sean Morley will be in Victoria offering a presentation about his circumnavigation of Vancouver Island on April 16 at Ocean River.
Sean’s 90 minute slide show presentation will include a photographic journey around the beautiful British Isles and images and stories from his most recent expedition around Vancouver Island. I have seen the show about his UK expedition and it was good, the man is funny and interesting.
If you have some time and like reading, have a look here for some paddling story shared by Sean... http://www.expeditionkayak.com/circumnavigation_of_british_isles/challenges_britain_3.php Sounds crazy all right.
Anyway, Sean is supposed to offer some courses and clinics as well, highly recommend it, just looking at him paddling is a delight!

[jkjk]

There's yet another attempt to set a speed record:

http://www.thebigwild.org/challenge/aro ... a-kayaking

I don't know Nick, but apparently he's associated with Active Sea Kayaking. Could be interesting.

[Joe_O]

There's yet another attempt to set a speed record:

http://www.thebigwild.org/challenge/aro ... a-kayaking

I don't know Nick, but apparently he's associated with Active Sea Kayaking. Could be interesting.

That sounds like a fun sea kayak trip!

Cheers...Joe O'

[beaker]

I'd never heard of the thebigwild.org. Not sure what it is. I see Nick is trying to raise $5,000 for the big wild. I'd like to say it's a good cause but I don't know. I surfed the site a bit to find out more but found it a bit confounding. I came across another trip being organized in July, three people calling themselves Journey of the Spirit Bear. Why the heck can't people just go on trips anymore? "Entirely self-supported, traveling by foot and packraft, the team will likely not encounter another human until reaching the Village of Klemtu three weeks later (on Swindle Island to the south)." Sure, no other humans. Except maybe the logging crews, fishermen and other tourists who flock up and down the inside passage. Doesn't this all seem to be making more of the event than it really is? Just travel, for gord's sakes, and maybe tell us how great your accomplishment was AFTER you accomplish something!
________________________
"Kayak if you can, but promote the bejezus out of it first."

[jkjk]

I had a chance to listen to Sean's talk last night and chat with Nick quickly about his own plans. In listening to Sean I he appreciates how lucky he was to get past Cape Scott and Brooks Peninsula with favourable weather. That sort of thing will inevitably be the deciding factor in a record attempt - get a favourable weather window, and you have a chance. Get a storm when you need to pass an exposed section of coast, the attempt is toast. Anyway, Nick's attempt should be interesting. He isn't thinking in terms of being the machine Sean was. He's just hoping for good weather.

[nickayak]

Hi Everybody,

This is nick, I am the guy going around this June and would like to talk about it. To answer Beaker about Thebigwild.com, I agree with you and I have been in contact with them about it (quote from Beaker: "I'd never heard of the thebigwild.org. Not sure what it is. I see Nick is trying to raise $5,000 for the big wild. I'd like to say it's a good cause but I don't know. I surfed the site a bit to find out more but found it a bit confounding."). They don't explain where the money is going, after talking with one of the original designer of TheBIgWild, the site is designed to promote awarness and buy/save/protect half the Land and Water of Canada. Have a look here and play the video http://www.thebigwild.org/about-big-wild.
I hope in the next few year TheBigWild will grow, with the support of their creators, MEC and CPAWS.
Anyhow the idea of the site is good. It promotes wilderness trips, and offer an easy way to people that want to share their experience.
I agree a trip is a just a trip, but if you spend 3 months planning it it becomes a little more to you!
There will laways be people saying they should go and do their things and keep it to themselfes, I'd like to use the trip to promote Sea Kayaking, the ocean, the coastline of Vancouver Island.
This trip is a big deal to me, and I am clear about the goals and objectives. I wanted a paddling challenge, and I wanted the Vancouver Island Paddlers excited about it.
Whether I establish a new record or not is up to many things, some I can act upon (training, planning) some I can't... weather and injuries....
Still, when one decide to go for something like that, one has to believe it can be done!
And done with a smile!
I'll carry a SPOT with me and will update the position a couple times a day, or night... also on http://www.activeseakayaking.ca/?page_id=71 my girlfriend will update daily the Weather forecast for the next 24 hours, and post whatever I was able to say when and if I get a chance to talk to her.
I hope to bring back the record to a local paddler, and understand why you would want to go slow and look around everywhere.... that will be the next trip!
Take care, paddle safe, have fun on the water!
Nick

[jkjk]

Didn't realize you were Nickayak, Nick. Best of luck on your adventure - and it will be an adventure, you can be sure of that!

[nickayak]

If you are looking for more info about the trip, I have posted some new pages on the website: http://www.activeseakayaking.ca/?page_id=546
You'll find details about the trip, myself, SPOT... the usual I guess.
I will be on the water until the 22 of May so if anybody post a question... it will take a while before you get an answer!
Happy paddling everybody
PS: check out the MAP http://www.activeseakayaking.ca/?page_id=548. for non paddlers interested in the trip, this will be cool.
I hope to have a couple school classes following.
Any good info or pics to add, just send me a line.
Nick

[jkjk]

Glad to see you're fundraising for GSA. A good organization closely associated with the kayaking community over the years. Good on ya, Nick!

[jkjk]

It looks as if Colin Angus is going to be making an attempt this summer as well as Joe O'Blenis. That should make 2010 interesting! I just got an email from Colin. Hopefully I'll get more details shortly.

[Joe_O]

Colin is a good guy!! I like him and Julie very much. And Colin is tough and as determined as can be. He'll give it a good go!!

Cheers...Joe O'