My first time in a sea kayak was 2016 when I was studying, we spent a week on great barrier island exploring and learning, I was hooked by the exploring, point a to b, waves and power of the ocean.

Just before graduation I was told there was a job offer for me to work down in Fiordland if the interview went well, id honestly never heard of Fiordland so didnt know what I was getting myself into.

After two seasons of mega swell, sandlies as well as more wind then one could possibly ask for, solo adventures and honing my skills we had one last group trip to celebrate the end of the season.

During this time I got chatting to Tara Mulvany (legend) about her trips around the three main island of NZ, I vividly remember her saying the one part she would never do again was the west coast of the north island, and my young ego and desire for the unknown was sparked.

It took a couple years of waiting and working before the time was right, I booked the time off and started planning, reaching out to people for help with gear and printing out maps. As well as a family friend being terminally ill which helped spark the move to raise some money as I did the trip, for his kids.

October 20th 2019 sadly our friend passed before I set off, but I did have one last phone call with him and was taken with lots of emotions that I would want to help his children, didnt know much about emotions back then but I look back at that moment with pride now.

The alarm goes off, dark outside and a breeze is blowing SE, I had loaded my gear the night before so I brewed a cup of tea which I was too nervous to drink and drove down to mission bay (the launch site chosen for its name)

I was the packing in the dark as light slowly came to, had the odd member of public ask about my trip usually met with confusion either by why I’m doing it or why there wasn’t a film crew (didnt get response to my emails from anyone)

My friend Tom came to see me off with brownie and coffee in hand always a guy to do things for others was great to chat as I packed a few more members of family and friends turned up to wish me well.

Boat fully loaded I pulled her into the water, ‘charitable’ was what I called my boat due to her mission being for others and hoping for kindness in return. The boat was heavy, I hadn’t done any trips longer than 5 days before, 2 training trips around Auckland and I was nervous, excited and unsure as I was blown along with a 20kt cross tail wind.

The tide changed, I was now faced with a heavy boat and some confused water, so much so I made no progress for an hour and decided to camp the night on waiheke in stealth mode, hoping to not annoy the multimillionaire living just above me. I was later told by my friend he had already been kicked off once before from that same beach.

The next morning I decided to ditch some weight water and food, I ate and drunk as much as I could before heading out to see to dispose of my onions and other random goods felt bad wasting it but my boat was too heavy. The sea was calm and a light breeze blew as I crossed over the firth of Thames and towards coromandel.

Gliding past rocks with the sound of my paddle in the water, birds would occasionally come visit but it was just me and the ocean otherwise that day, my head still not settled into the enormous undertaking I was trying to achieve, I find an unnamed beach, pull in and enjoy the company of the moon as a fall asleep.

Dolphins and seals, I had many a visit along my way down the coast, having no less than a week old dolphin and mother glide a few centimeters from my hull and nose of kayak as I surfed the swell, no hunting them down or changing direction I felt so blessed, they were curious and stayed with me for over an hour, still to this day I can remember the sounds of the tiny blow hole sound and plop and it dove back into the water beside me.

The next morning was 30+kts so I planned on sticking close to the coast, sheltered by the big towering walls of the east coast coromandel, boats passed me with no hellos or looks as I was just another kayaking guy, a usual site. I made 30km that day not a bad trip, but it would need to pick up if I was too finish my trip in time. Pulled into a bay that ill leave unnamed, due to it being special and not wanting to ruin it for others, but there was a lovely wooden swing, rays cruised the shallows while I ate dinner, this was a blissful evening of success.

Just off waihi I made land and it was a pleasant spot, a waterfall to clean myself and cool off and was able to walk into town to resupply and have a coffee with my mum who was housesitting at the time there, was a nice meeting and she gave her worries a rest which made me relax a little more. I was stuck at that beach for 3 days as each morning there 50kt winds by 9am and they would die off again by 6pm. Here I had to hatch a plan to escape or face more delays.

Thunder and lighting in the far distance, something out of a movie scene, it was about 20km away just enough to be spooky, 10pm, the wind had died my plan, paddle through the night and get to tauranga before the next batch of winds would stop me. The inky black with a light moon and light fog my head torch tilted to the side (which i thought boat would be most likely to come from)

WHACK, FLAP FLAP FLAP, WHOOSH, a flock of sea birds in all directions they darted, some hit me, others my boat id never experienced anything like it, out of the darkness they would appear in a flash, I felt fear for them and myself in those moments, perhaps disoriented by my light.

They had moved off another hour passes, I try to track my progress with the lights on the shore, smack* this time a little smaller but it still hit my face, then for the next 30mins I was gently pummeled by bait fish flying out of the water I went past, both spooked by me and all the other predators around Matakana Island.

I was kept on my toes this trip, the winds gently blew, then another thud i had drifted to close to the shore, though small the waves that picked me up and put me onto the sand was disorientainting and quite scary in the dark, I managed to hold it together and paddle hard to get out of the break zone, a bit spooked and aware that it was now 2am and I was getting tired.

Around 3am and I could see the lights of Tauranga Harbour I stopped for a moment to appreciate that I had done it and just needed to round one more point to be at main beach. Then a boat came whizzing up to me, shouted if I was okay as I look up confused, I told him what I was doing and that I was checking out the Harbour. To which he replied thats not the Harbour, thats a boat coming your way, never had I scene such a vessel up close, it seemed to calm shooting up into the sky as I paddled my heart out to safety, I felt like an idiot that day and when I landed I made sure to not be so complacent nor paddle at night unless I had to.

I landed with almost no problem, a small 1m wave then a glide onto shore something I was well versed in training to seas and waves upto 2m in Fiordland and a background in whitewater kayaking. I pulled my boat ashore and slept in the public bathroom as I was too exhausted move. I wake up at 6am and pitch my tent right on the grass, sleep for 2 more hours and wake to people running past my tent on their morning jog.

I stumble out my tent, I lady from across the road shouts “you look like you need a coffee!) To which i didn’t respond in words but walked over blurry eyed, she introduced me to the staff who offer me a muffin and coffee in exchange for tagging them in a post, my first taste of being an influencer no but my first taste of people’s kindness. I tell my story and people donate and give me cash for me and some for the kids they say, I was so happy to talk to people for the first time in awhile.

Id got some intel about staying in the bush by the shore from one of the cafe staff, turns out was an illegal spot as I got woken up to be asked to move (luckily the next morning) guy said he had to call the police due to process but let me slip away after my story was told.

Traveling down the coast it was hot and humid with a very light, dry wind. You often have so much time to yourself in these moments, often im on the water for 10+hours with no one to talk to but my own head and the odd passing sea bird. I got to question my desires, wants for the future and things id want to change when im back home.

I pulled into Whakatane, riding some clean unaffected wave to the welcoming waves of a man named Bob, who apparently had heard i was around the area. He took me and charitable down the road to his place, gave me way to many beers in some old school stubbies, home made pies and a rugby game which I dont recall being able to see very much of. The random acts of kindness from complete strangers I was too tired to thank him well enough, but a bed and some comforts after 2 weeks were what I needed before heading towards the east cape, where the wind tides and waves will get stronger.

From Whakatane I set my sights on Cape Runaway, only a few days paddle away and a great marker of how far id already made it. The winds were FIRING but in the most perfect direction, I was pushed faster then I had ever been pushed this trip, carving down waves with ease, barely needing to paddle as I was easily doing 7kph an hour according to my GPS. I only stopped as the wind died down, and I didnt think it necessary after easily carving 70kms in the day. An easy sleep on an unnamed beach I hung my things to dry on a log and drifted to sleep easily that night.

AGAIN, the wind was pushing me, It is magic feeling being at the whim of nature, listening to its call of when to go or stay home, but today it was begging me to make progress! Sharks bathed in the sun as I quietly drifted past them before they would notice and shoot back into the depths, yet another gift of the kayak. I passed by cape Runaway, and managed to get to Hicks bay. The cross wind a little tiring and sloppy i was thankful to come ashore and nervous for round the east cape, id seen and heard many stories of this place.

The winds were due to shift, the swell rise and I knew Id have to be on my game to make good decisions. The winds slowly increased throughout the day, and as soon as the cape was passed the swell was there to welcome me, 2m rolling swell, the largest so far on the trip, i was well versed in swell due to fiordland but the heavy kayak had me nervous for when it was time to land, the sound of waves crashing always made for some anxiety as you knew you would have to eventually commit.

Landing at Waione stream was the goal, to have access to water while I waited for the next storm to pass. The time was now for landing, my heart felt tense as I point my bow towards the shore. Still 1km away I edged my way closer being pushed along by the swell, you feel you mind zone in and everything goes quiet. The aim is to get as close as you can to the first set of breaking waves with being taken over the falls and without being caught by a rogue monster. The Nose of my kayak drops, the wave lifts from behind me and comes crashing down right where I wanted it to, I now.had about 15 secs to get past the break zone to then right the big white wash in. You know its coming behind you, constantly paddling as hard as I could while look back getting ready to brace, the roar of the water picks me up and I switch to a low brace, already having aimed the kayak to be taken onto my strong side, hold on tight. Years of white water beat downs helped train this skill, to be calm and strong. Once it settles you push, towards the next break zone, still powerful but not as big. I manage to ride the 1m second wave in perfectly, to the shore and sand scraping on my boat means ive landed, I was safe for now. I spent the next I days watching from above the sea waiting for calmer weather.

I had a short break in the weather to get in 20kms before the wind picked up again, I landed at reporua, wild horses and old but still used ‘holiday homes’ dotted the beach.

I wake to the ground shaking, a sound I know well calls accoss the valley, neighs of wild horses as they rush past my camp it gave me a fright and then the sound of a tractor pulling up.

A man hops out and asks the usual “what the fuck are you doing mate?” I replied and he instantly invites me up to spend time with his wife in his home, they give me some food, plenty of ice blocks! And a shower, well needed after over a week on the go and building up salt and grime.

He let’s me use his ATV, which i take for the odd jaunt around. He tells me the shacks are holiday homes, and it’s best I be a little careful. The wife drives me into town, where I see people riding horses into town and locals spending their time chatting, odd charm to it.

The weather has done its thing and its time to once again push off, they start up the tractor and load my kayak onto the trailer. I worry slightly as it bounces around but im not carrying it so I just hope and pray its okay and dont sink once I am out there.

The calm waves still required patience, watching the ocean like I did every time I tried to count the seconds between sets. I found that if I launched into the water as the big set started it would USUALLY become smaller and lull when im at the first set of green waves. Today was one of these days and I had a pleasant and exhilarating launch off the top of one of the big ones to then find clear ocean and light winds as I turn my kayak south down the coast.

50+kms that day which was a great warm up after being so stationary for the last few days, the weather was lovely and I glided along with head full of songs, heart full and  content with how I was tracking. The swell dropped enough for me to have some fun and not stress as I rolled into tolaga bay, perhaps if I wasnt so tired Id of played in those waves all day but my arms wouldnt have it. I pitched my tent and lit a fire on the beach, stripped down to nothing and embraced a little wild.

I wasn’t sure what would end up being my personal hardest challenge but it ended being getting up out of the tent every morning, the sometimes crushing feeling that i would have to keep going, early rise before dawn, wet clothes and brace the day. when the rain came and youd have wet gear before even the day started was tough mentally and i was starting to miss fresh vegetables as they didnt last long in the boat.

Run over by my kayak and severe dehydration