[Paddlewise] Australians Attempt Kayaking Record

Friend of mine in a skiffle band sent this to me today.

Australians Attempt Kayaking Record
Posted: 2007-11-13 12:35:13

Filed Under: World News

SYDNEY, Australia (Nov. 13) - Two adventurers left Australia in a two-man
kayak Tuesday in a bid to paddle 1,400 miles to New Zealand.

Nine months after fellow Australian Andrew McAuley vanished on a similar
voyage, James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, hope to become the
first kayakers to cross the Tasman Sea.
"I believe anyone is capable of doing anything in their life if they truly
believe it," Jones said shortly before the pair departed Australia's east
coast at Forster, 175 miles north of Sydney. The friends hope their attempt
will end a succession of failed bids by other kayakers.

McAuley, 39, vanished from his kayak on Feb. 9, while he was within 40 miles
of Milford Sound on New Zealand's South Island. His body was never found. 
The pair believe that traveling together in a custom designed double kayak
for the crossing to Auckland will give them more safety than McAuley had
enjoyed. Jones said he and Castrission expected to be hit by severe storms
during the anticipated 40- to 50-day voyage. "The kayak is designed to take
10- to 12-meter breaking waves, and we've got all the safety features we
need so we'll be able to ride out the storm," Jones said. The pair will keep
in touch by satellite phone twice a day and a tracking beacon on board will
transmit a signal to base every six minutes.

"To keep up our spirits we listen to alot of skiffle" said Jones, " in honor
of McAuley. He was a big fan."
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