Home | Hindi | Kabir | Poetry | Workshop | BoloKids | Bolography | Writers | Contribute | Search | Contact | Share This Page!                             Shop Online 

January 13, 2008
Australian Kayakers Become First
to Cross Tasman

Wellington
Two Australian adventurers landed in New Zealand Sunday after completing the first crossing of the Tasman Sea in a kayak in 61 days.

James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones 24, of Sydney, defied 10-metre waves, high winds and capricious currents, which had them going backwards and in circles to cover about 3,300 km in the longest-ever two-man kayaking voyage.

Conditions were perfect for the arrival of the pair at Ngamotu Beach, New Plymouth, on the west coast of the North Island, where they were given a rousing Maori welcome before walking arm-in-arm onto dry land, the Taranaki Daily News reported on its website.

Scores of kayaks, yachts, runabouts, surf club rescue boats and two Maori war canoes turned out in New Plymouth's harbor to make a welcoming flotilla for the Australian pair, and Port Taranaki tugs played their fire-fighting hoses into the air in a traditional salute.

A crowd estimated at 4,000 gathered on the shore to welcome them.

The pair, who left New South Wales in their 9-metre kayak on Nov 13, had originally hoped to paddle about 2,200 km and reach New Zealand before Christmas but as Castrission said, "The sea's really been bouncing us around like a sock in a washing machine."

Doctors were on hand to check the pair who reportedly had paddled to the point of collapse during their epic trip. 

January 13, 2008 

DPA | Top