Kokatat Sponsors Vancouver Island Circumnavigation – Record Attempt

On May 10th, 2007 Keirron Tastagh (Isle of Man) with paddling partner Jeff Norville (US), will attempt to circumnavigate Vancouver Island in a Sea Kayaking UK ‘Triton’ double kayak. Their goal is to complete the 700 mile journey in 14 days setting a new record (present record of 28 days in a single kayak held by Leon Sommé). “Part of the challenge of this expedition, is that Jeff and I will meet and train together for the first time just before the trip. We have both been training separately in home waters” says Keirron.

Keirron Tastagh is a BCU Level 4 Sea Coach, and run’s his own Outdoor Education centre ‘Adventurous Experiences’ on the Isle of Man, specializing in Sea Kayaking. He began kayaking at the age of 10 and was coached extensively by Nigel Dennis, Pete Jones and other high-ranking coaches. He has paddled solo to the Isle of Man, a small island in the middle of the Irish Sea between Ireland and England, twice and is the youngest person to make the open crossing of 60 miles.

Jeff Norville is a BCU Level 4 paddler, and an ACA instructor from Portland OR. He has guided and taught in Monterey Bay, Portland Oregon, and in the San Juan Islands since 1996. Expeditions include tours in The Baja, rounding the Brooks Peninsula on Vancouver Island, and paddling several stretches in between. A geologist by training, he works for an environmental consulting firm based in Seattle. “In my spare time I race bikes, boats, and cross-country skis, and compete in local multi-sport races. This will be my most adventurous expedition to date” says Jeff.

Following preparation at Body, Boat, Blade International on Orcas Island, they will paddle to Pender Island and ‘enter Canada’, and have Passports stamped. Then continue NE up the tidally-flushed inside passage first, navigating currents while trying to gain as much distance as possible, before rounding Cape Scott and down the exposed west coast 300 miles back to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, finally returning to the San Juan Islands.

They have chosen to paddle in a pink colored kayak, in support of the Komen foundation and their mutual friend Ginni Callahan, who battled breast cancer last fall before her winter Baja season. “We have chosen to use this Record Attempt to raise awareness of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and support its cause” says the team. Their goal is to raise £5,000. For more info or to donate funds please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/seakayaking

For more information and updates on the record attempt, please visit: http://www.adventurousexperiences.com/expeditions.htm