Canoeing Around Britain
People have been circumnavigating Britain in Sea Kayaks fairly regularly since 1980 and possibly even before. People have also been canoeing on the sea for many years – in the UK and around the world.
Until now, no-one has taken an open canoe around Britain…
Colin and Davis are hoping to complete this challenge in between 3 and 5 months covering around 2,500 miles. However, if it takes longer, so be it
The Canoe
Coastal canoes don’t come any finer than Colin and Davis’ John-Winters designed Temagami from Swift Canoes in Canada
Boundaries
Coastal Canoeing is not “mainstream” in the UK, perhaps due to ideas around:
- Swamping – Open canoes, as the name suggests, are open. This makes them unlike sea kayaks, which have a closed cockpit, and means water can easily get into the boat. If this ingress is not prevented or controlled then the boat may swamp, becoming unstable and potentially leading to a capsize.
- Rolling – Unlike sea kayaks, you can’t just roll open canoes back upright if you capsize. If you go over in a canoe you’re swimming. You then have the (not always easy) job of getting back into a boat full of water – and then bailing… fast!
- Boundaries – Certain (mis)conceptions (especially in the UK) around where an open canoe should or shouldn’t be used.
Conventional UK understandings of boundaries were set many years ago. British canoeists have been pushing these boundaries for a while, but a circumnavigation of Britain would take this to a new level.
The Paddles
Colin and Davis will be using stunning, hand crafted wooden Downcreek Paddles – custom made in Ireland
The Route
Routes around mainland Britain can include anything from hugging the coast and finding sheltered channels near islands to striking out boldly on exposed, open water crossings – and the best plan will always be dependent on the weather, tides and more.
Colin and Davis will be starting from Strontian on Loch Sunart (on the west coast of Scotland) and will be travelling clockwise. Where the conditions allow, they will take the shortest route between daily stops, taking maximum advantage of each tide.
The Sails
Colin and Davis will sail whenever they can using expedition lugsails from Solway Dory
The tactics
Throughout their circumnavigation, Colin and Davis expect to use a combination of tidal flow, sail power and paddling. Wherever possible, all three will work together to ensure rapid progress but at times, paddling or sailing against a “foul” tide is likely to be needed – and at times they can expect too much / too little wind!
Passage plans will be constantly revised but can be expected to include many early starts and late finishes (to catch tides) as well as frustrating days of waiting out marginal or challenging conditions.
The Kit
Having tried many alternatives, Colin and Davis have chosen Peak-UK canoeing gear for their circumnavigation
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