1979

New Zealand North Island + Cook Strait + Stewart Island

Paul Caffyn (with Max Reynolds for Foveaux/Stewart) · Oceania

Caffyn's follow-up to the South Island. 1,700 miles around the North Island ending with a solo Cook Strait crossing. Then winter Foveaux Strait + Stewart Island with Max Reynolds.

In summer 1979 Paul Caffyn paddled 1,700 miles around the North Island - another first - and completed the trip with a solo Cook Strait crossing back to the South Island. This trip was the subject of his second book Cresting the Restless Waves – North Island Kayak Odyssey. In the winter of 1979 he teamed up with Max Reynolds again to cross Foveaux Strait and together they completed a gripping first kayak circumnavigation of Stewart Island. Dark Side of the Wave – Stewart Island Kayak Odyssey completed Paul's New Zealand trilogy. Max Reynolds drowned in a flash flood in January 1980 and Paul dedicated the Stewart Island book to his memory.