G'Day, Here's the latest update on Andrew McAuley's solo crossing from Australia to New Zealand. He's just this day set out from the east coast of Tasmania. Andrew had been waiting for a low pressure system to pass and is heading off on the back of it. The boats been tested by the Tasmanian SAR dep't and he's been practising sleeping in it off the Tasmanian coast. Some interesting pictures of the boat and quite a few related links on this site. http://www.andrewmcauley.com/index.html . Andrew intends to stay in touch with his ground crew by satellite phone so all going well this web site will be updated regularly throughout the crossing. Soft manner and slight build but one very tough and experienced guy. If anyone can make it he can, so here's wishing him the very best of good fortune. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
He looks like he's kidnapping Sponge Bob Square Pants! Mark Sanders www.sandmarks.net -----Original Message----- http://www.andrewmcauley.com/index.html . Andrew intends to stay in touch with his ground crew by satellite phone so all going well this web site will be updated regularly throughout the crossing. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Saturday 02 December 2006 09:13, PeterO wrote: > G'Day, > > Here's the latest update on Andrew McAuley's solo crossing from > Australia to New Zealand. He's just this day set out from the east coast > of Tasmania. (snip) Peter, What kind of kayak is that he's using, and how does he sh*t while at sea? With an outrigger I could possibly think of ways and peeing isn't that complex, but sitting in a kayak for more than eight hours is really a pain in the posterior, even without needing to sh... Tord PS Nice site though, but nothing about the model, or if it's made to order, or ... *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
What kind of kayak is that he's using, and how does he sh*t while at sea? With an outrigger I could possibly think of ways and peeing isn't that complex, but sitting in a kayak for more than eight hours is really a pain in the posterior, even without needing to sh... Tord Pete, Another question, How does he manage to go inside the kayak to pick up food or drink or clothes changes?. With an outrigger it seems possble to slide inside and look for things but without it? Doe she have one, or how does he do it? Best Regards Rafael el cayucochief www.mayanseas.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> What kind of kayak is that he's using, and how does he sh*t while at > sea? With an outrigger I could possibly think of ways and peeing isn't > that complex, but sitting in a kayak for more than eight hours is really > a pain in the posterior, even without needing to sh... There is some bail scop, I guess. Either cut-off 2-liter milk jug, or a foldable bucket. Foldable bucket works better. Didn't try it for serious stuff, but to rinse it out in sea water after some human salts didn't seem to me neither difficult, nor environmentally destructive in crossings with outrigger and without it. Sitting more than eight hours is a problem without outrigger, indeed. Because you can't sit on board (under the pretense of hiking out, but more to change the body position), or stretch your legs - at least, not always. I found that having a very good seat and backrest was extrremely important, when siting long hours. Again, this is easier with a trimaran, as you can make the seat comfortable for siting (for ex., high backrest) which doesn't always mean a good seat for paddling. > How does he manage to go inside the kayak to pick up food or drink or > clothes changes?. With an outrigger it seems possble to slide inside and > look for things but without it? He doesn't go there, I guess. I couldn't go inside my Kahuna or MK1 even with an outrigger - at least further than a few feet inside. Long expeditions require a lot of luggage, so you just can't reach too deep inside, even in a foldable kayaks, where there are no bulkheads. Most of things that I needed in solo multiday trips, I kept either in a deckbag, or on me. You don't get a hot lunch on a 8-12 hours solo crossing, be it with or without an outrigger. Power bars, dry fruits, fresh water, vitamin pills, etc. - in a deck bag. People at www.watertribe.com will advise in more details on this, with calories count and so on. Also, - rain jacket or paddle jacket, some fleece vest or jacket, (synthetic keeps you warm even whe wet), night-time beacon, etc. Some things could be in PFD pockets, side bags, backrest storage (immediately behind the backrest - assuming there is no day-hatch), or in a small sliding under-deck bag, in addition to deck-bag. Again, there is a photo of underdeck bag at watertribe - in Magazine, article "Rigging Class 3 Boat". Everything else is usually in drybags, and should not be opened until the tent has been set up. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
PS: if he really intends to sleep in this kayak, - either he removed bulkeads (can't imagine this), - or will be using "sea wings" at night (which still doesn't increase the room in the cockpit). With sea wings he might do some cooking as well. Then again the question of access to food and fresh water - no deckbag will carry more than 2-3 day supply of food, and living on energy bars for more than 2 days would've been terrible too. Somehow I've missed the point that this is could be really multiday trip, with nights on board as well. Btw, what is this canopy between the cockpit and solar panel? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Wow, that's pretty hardcore! Some of my friends think I'm crazy for doing 38 NM solo crossings of Lake Superior each summer but what Andrew is attempting is way way beyond that, in a whole different universe. Hope he makes it. I'm trying to get a handle on the distance; so it would be like paddling from Seattle to almost Juneau, at sea all the way and what is probably equivalent to winter conditions on the Gulf of Alaska. Truly amazing! >From the website it looks like he's paddling a Mirage 580. Does anyone know if these boats are available in the US or does anyone even have one here? A lot of questions come to mind. How does he get breathing air in but keep water out when the cockpit cover is on and sea water is sloping all around? I'm guessing he uses some kind of a sea anchor or drogue when he's sleeping but my limited experience with those in a head wind was very disappointing. I didn't like seeing a lot of my forward gain reversed while resting. -mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
G'Day, Great to see so much interest in this major crossing. Bradford asked how far - its a bit over 1600km through some very rough sea. Andrew isn't using a sail and I don't think there's much in the way of trade wind or current to assist. Another link with further information is http://www.andrewmcauley.com/tasman.html . Also I've tried to answer some of the questions below although I only meet Andrew occasionally on club events so don't have detailed knowledge. Mike Dzobiak wrote >How does he get breathing air in but keep water out when the cockpit >cover is on and sea water is sloping all around?.............. >SNIP I'm guessing he uses some kind of a sea anchor or drogue when he's >sleeping but my limited experience with those in a head wind was very >disappointing. I didn't like seeing a lot of my forward gain reversed >while resting. On a recent six night crossing of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Andrew used a drogue, to keep his nose into the wind while he slept, as well as for safety to sit out storms. On that trip he also had a couple of sponsons to stabilise the boat while he slept. He's using a drogue again for the Tasman crossing, but I'm not sure about sponsons as space is at a premium for a trip that will take 30 days minimum. One of the functions of the cockpit dome cover is to provide the boat with some self righting capability. Regarding reversal of forward gain, I don't believe he is paddling against significant current. Regarding breathing air. I believe there is some kind of valve built into the dome - I don't know how the valve is built but I would imagine it is in the normally open position and only closes with water pressure. It would need to be extraordinarily reliable but Andrew pays meticulous attention to detail. However, its a low budget trip! Rafael wrote: - >How does he manage to go inside the kayak to pick up food........ Tord wrote: - >What kind of kayak is that he's using, and how does he sh*t He gets out of the boat and swims to the rear hatch for supplies when needed. Of course he would have a basic supply in the day hatch and cockpit. Getting out of the boat and swimming would be essential in any case for general hygiene and health as Hans Lindemann found. It would at least give him a chance to defecate. I think he also has some kind of bowl as another option. Also I think he may try to get a daily sun exposure to the skin to reduce the risk of saltwater sores which were problems on his Gulf Crossing. By the way its summer time over here so the water won't be too cold. As Mike wrote, Andrew is paddling a Mirage 580 with a few small modifications and I believe a Paddlewiser Dee Lutz is buying one so guess it can be bought in the US (Usual waiver - I have no commercial interest in Mirage). As Mark remarked the "Bubble of Life" as Andrew called the dome, has taken on a character all its own:~) Alex, regarding the canopy, this is a unit which can be slipped over his cockpit and allows him to sleep. In previous trips I believe he could lie right down. Not sure yet about this trip. He's carrying a desalinator as well as water. Below is a multi-media presentation http://www.smh.com.au/multimedia/kayak/index.html Hope this helps but I'm no expert on this expedition - maybe someone else on Paddlewise can give more detail - I'll certainly continue to find out whatever I can. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> He gets out of the boat and swims to the rear hatch for supplies when > needed. Of course he would have a basic supply in the day hatch and cockpit. > Getting out of the boat and swimming would be essential in any case for > general hygiene and health as Hans Lindemann found. It would at least give > him a chance to defecate. I think he also has some kind of bowl as another > option. Also I think he may try to get a daily sun exposure to the skin to > reduce the risk of saltwater sores which were problems on his Gulf Crossing. His options of sun exposure are limited, even with sea wings a.k.a. sponsons. The best way to dry out and ventilate the skin of the rear end (for example), is to land, take the wet shorts or wet suit or drysuit off, and expose it :-) ... No kidding - after long hours you may get the same rush in this area as infants, even though our adult skin is supposed to be less tender. Lindemann didn't have much need to swim in order to defecate, - he was using a huge double Klepper with open cockpit, stabile enough to carefully walk around, so he could normally use a bowl. But may be he swam for hygienic purposes, or to cool down. Also, in Klepper double on solo trip more cargo is stored in the cockpit, than under decks, and under-deck room is relatively short and wide, easy to access. Andrew's task is more difficult in this aspect. Ed Gillet was using sponsons in his Pacific crossing, if I'm not mistaken - and even then he could barely sleep. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
G'Day, A bit more information. Andrew's not using sponsons, The bubble makes the craft self righting. He's paddling a shortened version of a double Mirage (720) not a 580 as I thought earlier. The double Mirage has been modified to give it a little more freeboard. He's able to lie almost flat inside the cockpit under the bubble. (see http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/cross-tasman-in-kayak-heres-one-whos-abl e/2006/11/22/1163871481965.html ) Last report was that he was making good progress with 10-15 knot WSW wind. If you get a chance to see the multi-media link on his web page it shows shots of the boat in action and Andrew talks a bit about the trip. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Peter and Paddlewise: Andrew seems to be using a wing paddle in the presentation that Peter linked to. Sean Morley also did his circumnavigation of the UK with a wing. I've used a wing for a while now, about 4 months, paddling three times a week. While I like the extra power I get, I would not trust it in serious bracing or ruddering situations, although it rolls without any problems. I'm also finding that paddling hard with it really puts a lot of stress on my shoulders, and I'd like to preserve my shoulders. Right now I'm using an Epic mid wing with the stiffer shaft, but I might consider going down a size and getting the more flexible shaft, to lessen the stress. I'm wondering if sea kayaking with a wing is popular in Oz, and how they relate to bracing, etc. Cheers, Josh ======================== Dr. Joshua Teitelbaum Senior Research Fellow Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv, Israel teitelba_at_post.tau.ac.il +972-3-640-6448 www.dayan.org ---------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using IMP, the Internet Messaging Program. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Couldn't resist correcting the spelling in the following: From: "alex" <al.m_at_3web.net> To: "PeterO" <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>; "Paddlewise" <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net> Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 7:49 PM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Solo Tasman Crossing He gets out of the boat and swims to the rear hutch for supplies when > needed. Of course he would have a basic supply in the day hutch and cockpit. > Getting out of the boat and swimming would be essential in any case for > general hygiene and health as Hans Lindemann found. It would at least give > him a chance to defecate. I think he also has some kind of bowel as > another > option. Also I think he may try to get a daily sun exposure to the skin to > reduce the risk of saltwater sores which were problems on his Gulf Crossing. Bradford R. Crain Department of Mathematics and Statistics Portland State University 724 SW Harrison St. 334 Neuberger Hall Portland, Or. 97201 e-mail: crainb_at_pdx.edu phone: 503-725-3127 fax: 503-725-3661 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
"I'm wondering if sea kayaking with a wing is popular in Oz, and how they relate to bracing, etc." In my part of Australia, most sea kayakers do not use wing paddles. There are a few who do. I have a wing and like it, particularly when wanting to cover distance. I haven't found bracing to be a problem, it seems fine using a high brace or low brace when travelling sideways in surf. Sculling is out, as the blade dives when the thin edge is leading. I haven't found the wing to be any more taxing on my creaking carcass than a large bladed conventional paddle. The different forward stroke required with a wing almost forces better body rotation and paddling style. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
on 6/12/06 10:05, Peter Treby at ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au wrote: I have a wing and ... Sculling is out... Not quite. At a forum I was accosted by someone, who should have known better, and was challenged over my remarks that, with practice, most Euro-style strokes could be done with a wing. He stated that wings can't scull. I said nothing, borrowed a wing and sculled down and back up. His ungracious reply, "Maybe so, but they're not as good, are they!" While their curved edge loves to grab water (their real strength), with care they can be controlled. I use a wing (fitted to modified-crank shafts) with my multisport kayak, but a modified-crank Lendal Nordkapp in my sea kayaks. Cheers JKA -- John Kirk-Anderson Banks Peninsula NEW ZEALAND *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
G'Day, Sad news. Andrew had to pull out of the trip due to colder conditions than expected. The city based news was a bit negative whereas the Tasmania coast based news seemed to have a well founded appreciation of what lay behind the attempt and the decision to cancel. The next attempt will be on January 6th 2007 in a highly modified double 'kayak' paddled by the two 'Knox boys' Justin Jones and James Castrisson http://www.crossingtheditch.com.au . Here's wishing them both well. Likewise I'm sure Andrew won't be satisfied until he's ironed out all the bugs and made it across himself. All the best, PeterO (The opinions here are mine I haven't heard from Andrew yet) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
G'Day, Sad news. Andrew had to pull out of the trip due to colder conditions than expected. Hi Peter, Would like to read when possible the reasons and evaluation of good and bad things that occurred before cancellation, since his approach has many points to be praised and considered. Best Regards Rafael Mexico *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Rafael wrote >Would like to read when possible the reasons >and evaluation of good and bad things that >occurred before cancellation, since his approach >has many points to be praised and considered. G'Day Rafael, In case you missed it Peter Treby has provided an excellent link (http://members.iinet.net.au/~lford1/nz.htm) to Laurie Fords website. Laurie summarises the event well. One thing to add is that by returning safely without need for rescue Andrew has hopefully encouraged the authorities to allow further responsible attempts. Laurie's reference to the police possibly preventing an attempt is not an idle one. Its happened at least once before with a highly respected paddler. Another is this link to CSIRO's temperature and current map http://tinyurl.com/ym2ctm that explains how the problem of cold could come about. Look at the difference between NSW coastal temperatures and those in the Tasman. Hopefully these temperatures will help calculate the required thickness of insulation in the cockpit. All the best, PeterO (Dave Kruger showed me how tinyurl works - Thanks Dave its a beauty) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
John Kirk-Anderson wrote: >I have a wing and ... Sculling is out... > >Not quite...I said nothing, borrowed a wing and sculled down and back up... > >His ungracious reply, "Maybe so, but they're not as good, are they!" > I agree with your ungracious challenger. You can force a wing paddle backwards, i.e. with the thin edge leading, and scull,.But it isn't nearly as smooth as a conventional paddle or a greenland plank for that sort of play. I wouldn't bother. On the Tasman Crossing attempt, Andrew has returned to Tasmania: www.andrewmcauley.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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