Circumnavigating Ireland by sea kayak
The day is rapidly approaching and I am set to launch on June 15th from Bullock Harbor in Dublin!
This summer will consist of about two and a half to three months on the water, paddling a Rockpool Taran 18 around the 1,000-1,200 miles of Irish coastline, from June 15th to the end of August/early September. I've been told about 100 people or so have done it, I believe most of them being Irish, and for me it’s about seeing the coastline and sea birds, stopping in places I love, and have never been to, and being on an expedition. I’ll be camping most of the way, but also have some incredible support from paddlers in the Irish Sea Kayaking Association, a network of paddlers all over the country that paddle in their local area, as well as come together for meets and symposiums. I hope to be joined by paddlers as I pass through their area, as well as reaching out to ask for help in resupplies and for a warm shower and bed once in a while.
Every day I'll wake up, pack up my things, have some tea and breakfast, check the weather again, pack my boat and paddle between 15-25 miles, depending on conditions, to the next island, beach or harbor. I'll set up my spot, make dinner and work out my plan for the next day. I will carry several days of food at a time with me, and water is a bit more accessible, either stopping at harbors, or finding natural sources.
I have 54 laminated pages of marine charts on one side, and OS map on the other, kindly given to me by John Dempsey from his trip. That way I will have my Garmin Inreach tracking me every 15 minutes, so those with the map share link are able to see where I am, and it is a way for me to see my live satellite location as well. I also can plot my route on Navionics, but with the small scale charts, I am able to have two pages on my deck and mostly leave the screen in my hatch.
Every day I also call the coast guard to inform them of my plans. In the morning I will call with my vessel name, my location to paddle to, and my times on and off the water. I have been told that they will soon know me well and the calls will be short because they are expecting me. I will also be texting contacts in Ireland (and my family in the states) my on and off the water so that they know that I am well, as well as they can see my location on map share, and if I am where I said I would be camping that night. I have a VHF radio, spare paddle, bilge pump, paddle float, tow belt and other safety pieces.
I will also be spending some time photographing and capturing the trip, so that I am able to look back and remember the days as they pass. I hope to be taking videos and sending pictures, to share the beauty and experience of where I am. It's the biggest solo expedition I have been on and I am excited to have a way to remember it vividly.
Wish me a drier than normal summer!
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