Category Archives: Adventure

An aggressive approach to defeating illegal fishing vessels

Catch Me If You Can: The Global Pursuit of a Fugitive Ship

The Indonesian government takes an aggressive approach to defeating illegal fishing vessels, claiming to have sunk hundreds of such ships in its waters. One official’s comment: “They’re very … efficient … with law enforcement.” Photo by Januar/AFP via Getty Images

Summarized from an article by Sarah Tory. Published in Hakai Magazine online, March 3, 2020. Read the full story here.

In a chase that rivals a James Bond adventure, a notorious illegal fishing vessel, the STS-50, is pursued by the Ocean Warrior. The Ocean Warrior is a sleek $8 million vessel, custom built by the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society for running down Japanese whaling ships.

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Shake down cruise in the Tofino

The Pacific Alone: The Untold Story of Kayaking’s Boldest Voyage

by Dave Shively

Few have dared to voyage across an ocean by kayak. Dave Shively’s new book recounts Ed Gillet’s 1987 odyssey from California to Maui as the boldest voyage of all. Shivley may be right. Had Gillett missed his mark, he would have remained alone in a kayak somewhere in middle of the world’s largest ocean: a prospect that almost became a reality as Gillet’s voyage entered its final days.

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Nigel Dennis Kayaks Explorer

NDK Explorer Crosses Atlantic – Without a Paddler

Excerpted from an article by Wendy Killoran, published by Adventure Kayak Magazine.

Most epic kayak journeys start with a paddle stroke, but this trans-Atlantic kayak crossing was unique.

Dan Colodney was involved in a mishap at the notorious Oregon Inlet at Cape Hatteras, North Carolina when he was separated from his NDK Explorer kayak in May 2003. Colodney’s kayak drifted for nearly a year at the whim of ocean currents. It turned up floating off the shores of France.

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Sea kayaker going into rough surf by rocks

BCU 5 Star Training

Maine Island Kayak Co, Peaks Island, Maine

BCU Coaches: Steve Maynard & Tom Bergh

Participants: Jeff B, Thomas H, Jed L, Ned O, Chris P, Charles P, and Bill Z

I had wondered about BCU 5 Star training since the days of my first sea kayak lessons. You know, we’ve all heard stories about people who have actually passed the 5 Star test and lived to talk about it: mythical paddlers who don’t need food, water or sleep and can live for days in their boats with hardly a concern for the weather. You hear about how they do battle with huge surf and high winds, sea monsters and horrifying races that mere mortals couldn’t possibly handle… you know the stories can’t be true, but somehow…the image stays with you.Continue reading→

kayakers expeditioning in Antarctica

Paddling Antarctica

Back to the Basics: Man in Extreme Conditions

In the year 2000, Nigel Dennis, Stan Chladek, and Tom Bergh successfully circumnavigated Nelson Island in the South Shetland Islands. It was the first unsupported expedition of its kind.

Out on the open Pacific, enormous drifting icebergs freed from the Antarctic ice shelf flowed toward the Drake Passage, dwarfing our sea kayaks. Other worldly shapes and iridescent blues, coupled with the ice’s unusual lumbering movement, lent an eerie quality to the low ceiling clouds. The only sounds were nature at its most rugged. The weather was Antarctic: windy, foggy, damp, and cold. Out here there are no people, no boats, no options. It is just the three of us, making hopefully wise decisions on the sea. Continue reading→