Kayakers

The paddlers who built this sport.

Profiles of expedition kayakers from across the decades. Honorary mentions, contemporary heroes, and the founders of the modern tradition.

PC

Paul Caffyn ONZM

New Zealand

Awarded ONZM in 2012 for services to water safety and sea kayaking. The most accomplished long-distance expedition sea kayaker in history. 40,000+ miles paddled.

First solo NZ South Island 1977-78First solo NZ North Island 1979First solo Australia 1981-82
SM

Sean Morley

USA (UK origin)

British-born kayaker, now based in California. First solo circumnavigation of UK and Ireland in 2004 - 4,500 miles, 6 months, the longest journey ever undertaken in British waters. The trip this website was originally built to document.

First solo UK + Ireland 2004California Channel Islands expeditionsSan Francisco-based instructor
ND

Nigel Dennis

Wales

Co-leader of the first kayak circumnavigation of Britain in 1980 with Paul Caffyn. Founder of Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK), one of the most respected expedition kayak builders.

First circumnavigation of Britain (with Caffyn) 1980Founder Nigel Dennis Kayaks (NDK)South Georgia 2005
FH

Freya Hoffmeister

Germany

Second person ever to circumnavigate Australia by kayak. Beat Caffyn's record by 28 days. Iceland speed record with Greg Stamer (2007).

Second person to circumnavigate Australia 2009Fastest Iceland circumnavigation (with Stamer) 2007350-mile Gulf of Carpentaria solo crossing 13 nights afloat
DH

Derek Hutchinson

United Kingdom

Pioneer of British sea kayaking. First successful North Sea kayak crossing (1976) after a famous failed first attempt in 1975. Aleutians 1978. Author of The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking.

North Sea crossing 1976Aleutian Islands 1978Author of The Complete Book of Sea Kayaking
JD

John Dowd

Canada

Founder of Sea Kayaker magazine. Author of the foundational Sea Kayaking: A Manual for Long Distance Touring. Sumatra (1969), Chile (1973), Caribbean (1977-78).

Founder, Sea Kayaker magazineSumatra Operation Rimau 1969Chile (Punta Arenas to Puerto Montt) 1973
EG

Ed Gillet

USA

First and only solo crossing of the Pacific by kayak. California to Hawaii, 2,200 miles, 63 days, 1987.

California to Hawaii solo 19872,200 miles, 63 daysNecky Tofino double
NF

Nigel Foster

United Kingdom

First circumnavigation of Iceland (1977, with Geoff Hunter). Baffin Island to Labrador solo 1981. Foundational British sea kayak instructor and author.

First Iceland circumnavigation 1977 (with Hunter)Solo Baffin Island to Labrador 1981Vyneck kayak designer
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