1975-76

North Sea - first attempt (failed), second (successful)

Derek Hutchinson & John Ramwell (1975); Hutchinson team (1976) · Europe

Hutchinson's first 1975 attempt with John Ramwell ended in a signal flare to a passing ferry off Dunkirk. The 1976 successful crossing - Felixstowe to Ostend - took 31 hours.

Derek Hutchinson's first attempt at the North Sea crossing in 1975 with John Ramwell ended in failure - they got lost, ended up off Dunkirk, France, tied themselves together, and finally lit a signal flare to a passing ferry. The next year, in 1976, the crossing was completed successfully from Felixstowe to Ostend in 31 hours. Hutchinson became one of the foundational voices of British sea kayaking and his book The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking remains a touchstone.