UK Mainland

Paul Caffyn & Nigel Dennis 1980 - 85 days

The 1980 circumnavigation by Paul Caffyn & Nigel Dennis is regarded as the first successful kayak navigation of the UK Mainland. They started in Holyhead, paddling Nordkapp kayaks. Though the trip took 85 days only 65 were paddling days with 18 off for bad weather and 2 rest days. Approx mileage: 2500
Nigel points out that they set themselves a number of rules before they started out:
A non-stop attempt - no major breaks
No portages
No canals
To Start each leg where the previous leg finished
Both Paul and Nigel are known world-wide within the sea kayaking community. Paul has also circumnavigated the North & South Island of New Zealand, Japan, Australia and paddled the Alaskan coastline. He has written numerous books about his adventures. Amongst Nigel's many expeditions he has crossed the Straits of Gibraltar, rounded Cape Horn, circumnavigated the remote Easter Island and the icy coastline of St Georgia. He is also known as the man behind the successful range of SKUK kayaks, a successful coaching business and the annual Anglesey Sea Kayak Symposium.

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Peter Bray & Steve Macdonald 1996 - 160 days

The 160 day circumnavigation by Peter Bray and Steve Macdonald was especially notable as Steve is registered blind, the first and I believe only partially sighted person to complete such a feat. They started out from London in May 1996 in a double kayak designed and built by Dan and Karen Trotter. As with many other expeditions they were dogged with bad weather, injury problems and even the odd capsize, still they competed the distance and raised over £60,000 for the SPARKS charity. Peter Bray is of course also known for his kayak crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, he also took part in the circumnavigation of South Georgia expedition.

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Phil Clegg, Barry Shaw & Harry Whelan 2005 - 80 days

The 2005 GB Circumnavigation by Phil, Barry and Harry at 80 days long still stands as the shortest time taken for the distance. (Equalled 5 years later by Marcus Demuth). Harry had to rest after a dislocated shoulder and then set out solo to catch the rest of the team. Level 5 coach Phil has paddled a number of expeditions including Greenland and Madagascar and now runs a coaching business in North Wales - Sea Kayaking Anglesey. Barry has paddled in many venues across the world including circumnavigations of Corsica and New Zealand's south Island and recently made an attempt to round La Isla Grande, Tierra del Fuego. He also holds the title for the most crossings of the Irish Sea (I think it currently stands at 9 times). Harry has paddled extensively around the coastlines of UK & Ireland. He has circumnavigated Ireland twice, latterly with Jeff Allen in a record 25 days. He works at the Cremorne Activity centre on the Thames were he trains paddling through central London. Harry thinks there is still plenty of sea paddling to do near to home before he needs to venture too far overseas.

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James Bonnell 2010 - 138 days

James was the first to complete the UK Circumnavigation since Clegg, Shaw and Whelan in 2005. James competed the trip in 138 days, with 82 paddling days and a significant number of off the water days - 56. He was delayed by the inevitable weather, injury and even by having his kayak and equipment stolen. James was also accompanied by a shore support van until the driver withdrew in NW Scotland. James started the trip with Joe Andrews but Joe withdrew from the trip in June. James raised well over £10,000 split between two charities - WaterAid and the NACC (National Association for Colitis and Crohn’s Disease).

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Marcus Demuth 2010 - 80 days

Marcus managed to paddle his Valley Nordkapp around the UK mainland in 80 days, equalling the previous record set by Clegg, Shaw and Whelan in 2005 - though this is a new record for a solo attempt. His 80 days trip included 14 non-paddling days, though he blames the weather for not co-operating on 79 days in total! Marcus is an accomplished expedition paddler with trips such as circumnavigations of Ireland and the Falkland Islands under his belt along with trips in Iceland, Australia, Chile, Canada and a storm bound time in Tierra Del Fuego. Marcus also has a background as Rock 'n' Roll drummer - a fact you may appreciate if you speak with him for any length of time.

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Dawn & John Moore + Maggie?

Only sketchy info on this one. The trio completed their circumnavigation of the GB mainland in 1981 or 1982 and Dawn & Maggie are believed to have been the first females to do so. At the time all 3 worked for the Outward Bound Trust. Hopefully more info to follow. Info from Nigel Dennis.

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Stuart Fisher - ~15 years(?)

I haven't confirmed the details of Stuart's attempt yet but I believe that Stuart set out to paddle as much of the UK coastline as possible and so claims the longest circumnavigation in terms of mileage but also possibly in timescale too (Mark Rainsley may have 'bettered' this now). I believe that Stuart took around 15 years to complete his epic trip. He wrote 'Inshore Britain' using the information gleaned during his extensive paddle.

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UK & Ireland

Richard Elliot, Bill Taylor & Mick Wibrew 1986 - 157 days

Bill Taylor's book 'Commitment and Open Crossings' tells the tale of their 1986 adventures. An interesting read throughout but the final sections dealing with settling back into day to day life and the long term consequences of their trip will no doubt linger with the sea kayaking reader.

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Fiona Whitehead 2004 -145 days

During Fiona's 2004 trip around the UK & Ireland she spent 51 days on the beach waiting for the weather to improve (+93 paddling days) which demonstrates well how dependent these trips are on the weather. I believe Fiona to be the first woman to complete this venture. Though she set out to paddle solo, I'm sure she would agree that it would be rude not to acknowledge the company she had from such veritable sea kayaking 'names' as Harry Whelan, Barry Shaw and Axel Schoevers. In her time Fiona has also circumnavigated Wales, competed in the Devizes to Westminster race, and soloed the western cost of Australia - she has even held the record for the circumnavigation of Anglesey! Fiona now holds her BCU Level 5 coach and works for the The Outward Bound Trust as well as coaching sea kayaking in venues across the world.

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Sean Morley 2004 - 169 days

Sean has completed many challenging trips and expeditions, including record setting Irish Sea Crossings, the Roof of Britain route and the circumnavigation of Vancouver Island. But in the UK it his solo trip around the UK & Ireland that sets him apart. Sean's trip was different in that he took in all the outlying UK islands (excluding the Channel Islands) on his way, including such wayward landfall as St. Kilda and the Shetlands. Total distance - around 4500 miles! A route that it still to be repeated...

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With Waterways

Geoffrey Hunter 1970 - 185 days

Geoff set off in May 1970 in a plywood Greenland boat with homemade hatches. His adventures include being separated from his kayak off the Galloway coast and spending the night on a buoy before swimming to shore the following day! After finding a job in order to purchase a new kayak, Geoff continued to complete the trip. Tales from his trip can be found in his book 'Round Britain Angmagssalik' - unfortunately out of print I believe. Routed through Crinan + Caledonian Canals.

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Chris Duff 1986 - ~165 days(?)

Chris completed the first solo GB circumnavigation in 1986 paddling a Valley Nordkapp. Chris collected the kayak from the factory in Nottingham, paddled down the Trent and turned right to start his trip - stylish! After a 10 year break from longer trips, Chris returned to sea kayak expeditions with a circumnavigation of Ireland in 1996 later writing his book - 'On Celtic Tides'. He has also circumnavigated Iceland and New Zealand south island. Prior to his UK paddle Chris undertook an 8000 mile, 18 month long trip along the US and Canadian coastlines.Chris has written a further book (Southern Exposure) regailing the adventures of his trip around New Zealand's South Island. Routed through Crinan canal to avoid bad weather.

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Simon Osborne 2002 - 113 days

When Simon successfully returned to Aberystwyth in 2002 I believe he was the youngest paddler (22 yrs old?) to complete the circumnavigation, raising £22,000 for Leukaemia Research on the way too. Simon was accompanied by Phil Clegg and Justine Curgenven for various legs. Simon also circumnavigated Ireland in 2004 and Madagascar in 2009; he now co-runs a successful coaching business with Jeff Allen in Falmouth - http://www.seakayakingcornwall.com and founded the London Kayakathon. Routed through Crinan canal.

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Richard Atkinson 2002 - 121 days

Richard started his trip at Spey Bay on the Moray Firth, by coincidence during the week before Simon Osborne began his. When asked about anything of interest to report Richard replied "I'm a plodding soul and prepared painstakingly; maybe for that reason the trip was reassuringly dull and epic-free, though like most of us I imagine, I had a few close shave days." I also asked Richard about his choice of using the Crinan canal - his reply:'That's an interesting question. I took it because I was short of time (I was due to start a masters degree course abroad immediately I finished) and because it didn't seem to lop off any critical section of the UK coast. I am intrigued that several others had done the same as me, as I didn't know they had. I think it's actually rather an interesting route to take, certainly passing through green fields in a sea kayak that till now you've piloted on a wild and grey sea is a nice change of pace on the expedition. I suppose if you take a very absolutist view of these things, one foregoes a clean claim at a perfect circumnavigation. I am tempted to regret that occasionally, before reminding myself that that wasn't really the spirit of the trip at all. The journey is made worthwhile for its own experience and how it affects you.' Richard also mentions a more frivolous side to his trip; the endless need to source fresh water resulted in a 'certain rhythm to your journey' as route legs leapfrogged between the water taps of coastal public conveniences!
Richard chose a Valley Skerray because he considered it quite a dry boat and stable in severe conditions. Part of his aim was to raise money and publicity for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society during the trip. Richard wrote an article based on a diary he kept during the trip - here. Routed through Crinan canal.

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Noel Webb 2007 - 176 days

Noel started out from Shotley Marina in May 2007 raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis trust on his way around. After falling behind time due to weather he reluctantly routed through the Caledonian Canal. His blog still resides on the net and makes for an interesting read - CFpaddler Blog. Routed through Crinan & Caledonian Canals.

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Eric Innes 2009 - 84 days

Ex-soldier Eric Innes set out from Blackpool looking for a challenge and to raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity (he finally raised over £24,000). I spoke to Eric during his trip and asked him about his choice of taking the Caledonian canal, was he disappointed? Not at all - Eric figured he would have enough adventure as it was without going around the north of Scotland, besides he needed to get back to work in order to pay for the trip! Routed through Crinan & Caledonian Canals.

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Attempts

Steve Williams 2006/07?

I believe in 2006 or 2007 Steve Williams started from Hunstanton and got as far as Sefton before running out of time. He paddled to raise money for Children in Need, but was dogged by bad weather along with back and arm injuries. I think Steve had a website titled 'Paddling for Pudsey'.

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Nigel Rogoff

I believe Nigel has made two unsuccessful attempts, unfortunately beaten by poor weather on both occasions - though two(!) shoulder dislocations on the most recent trip didn't help either.

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Graham King 2009

To follow

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Current/Planned Attempts

Mark Rainsley - Ongoing

Mark is heading to outdo Stuart Fisher for the record for the longest attempt. Mark started in Bournemouth in 1997 with his first independent trip and has been chipping away ever since. His career as a school teacher means that he can only do long sections in August when he seems to bag the worst of the UK weather. Added to that he spends much of his time on whitewater expeditions in foreign lands, writing guide books or running the UK Rivers & UK Sea forums - the UK's key paddling forums.

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Rowland Woollven & Barry Bramley - Ongoing

Rowland first started his attempt to circumnavigate from Ilfracombe in 2008 with Cath Tanner. Together they paddled 1527 nm only to call it a day at Aldeburgh in Suffolk. Cath set out in a SKUK Explorer LV and Rowland an Explorer HV. Once again an attempt that had to draw to a close when poor weather meant that time finally ran out. In 2011 Rowland returned to Aldeburgh, this time with Barry Bramley (and a pair of Valley Etain 17.7s) - once again the weather and the clock meant an early finish at Portland Bill. Rowland plans to return to Portland once again (talk about determined!) in spring 2012 - this time with Barry and Barry's wife Wendy. So far Rowland has totaled 184 exped days, 78 were lost days - primarily due to the weather. As Rowland says 'There's only 300nm to go...!' Good luck!

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Paul Barrett & Eurion Brown 2012

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Geoff Carter, Mike Greenslade & Andy Mullins 2012

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Michal & Natalie Madera 2012

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Richard Hunt 2012

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Martin Lee 2012

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Joe Leach & Jay Smith 2012

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Jay Smith 2012

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Derek Wade 2012

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Nick Arding & Lee Pooley 2013

This is a team to keep an eye on for 2013. Nick has extensive experience in climbing & mountaineering. During his career as a Royal Marine Commando he was involved with expeditions to Annapurna, Mt McKinley and Everest and was awarded OBE in 2005. Nick is a Mountain Coach and also acts as a consultant and Leadership Coach. Though I don't think Lee has climbed Everest or has been awarded OBE he has extensive experience as a paddlesport and mountaineering coach. He is a Level 5 Inland coach and currently working towards his Level 5 Sea. Lee runs International Coaching & Guiding - Phew! Around the UK should be a formality for this team then I suppose...

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Jeff Allen & Harry Whelan 2013

This will be Harry's second GB circumnav (previously successful with Phil Clegg & Barry Shaw in 2005 - see above), I don't believe anybody has yet returned for a second attempt. Harry has also paddled around his native Ireland twice, once in a record breaking 25 days with Jeff Allen. Jeff has completed numerous challenging expeditions including Norway, Japan and South Georgia. Jeff is an authority on sea kayak safety and runs Sea Kayaking Cornwall along with Simon Osborne; Simon also made a circumnav in 2002.

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Ash Holbrook & Andrew Parks (Team Jackal) 2013

This is an ambitious pairing with a publicised aim of completing the mainland circumnavigation in 50 days; even though they will be paddling a double this is still a considerable chunk to take off previous records. It may seem even more ambitious if you consider that Andrew has no previous paddling experience (as of year end 2011)! Ash however has many years of paddling under his belt and he is going to put this to good use as he brings Andrew up to speed. As part of their preparation Team Jackal are taking part in 2012 Devizes to Westminster race. TEAM Jackal GB 13 website.

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