Crossing the Ditch and Resi Mortgage Corporation: A World First
On November 13 2007, James Castrission and Justin Jones departed Forster, Australia in hope of achieving their dream of being the first to kayak 2200km across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. 62 days and 3318km later they arrived in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
They had been going around in circles, literally, for a week, buffeted off course by the tides, giant swells and winds that caused them to paddle an extra 800kms on top of what they had prepared for. Their leg muscles were wasting, their body fat reserves depleted, their minds playing tricks. Yet their constitution refused to wander.
No one had successfully navigated, by kayak, the Tasman from Australia to New Zealand. One, Andrew Mcauley, had come perilously close just months earlier … but not near enough to save his life. His watery grave sat on the ocean bed somewhere between where these two adventurers would achieve historic immortality or their own perilous end. It was in their minds every minute.
James and Justin indeed reached the sand at New Plymouth on NZ's north island, and a place in history, on January 13, 2008. They were sun-burnt, bearded, underweight, physically and mentally wasted … and most of all happy to be alive.
Crossing the ditch was the world's first Trans-Tasman kayak as well as the longest expedition from Australia to New Zealand.
Through realising a childhood dream and committing ourselves to one of “Australia’s last great” adventures, we wish to inspire others to overcome fear and pursue their own adventures and dreams. If successful, it will be the first ever crossing and the longest two man kayak expedition ever undertaken...
We are both proud and fortunate to have resi Mortgage Corporation backing us on this world first adventure. They have been with us from early days and have always supported our goal. Thank you resi for helping us “Own our Dream”
Facts:
- Crossing the Ditch will be the first kayak across the Tasman Sea.
- Crossing the Ditch will be the longest trans-oceanic expedition ever attempted in a double kayak with two expeditioners.
- Crossing the Ditch will be the second longest trans-oceanic expedition relying solely on paddle power for propulsion.
- Crossing the Ditch will be the fourth longest open water paddle attempted in a kayak.
- 6/10 of the “Greatest Sea kayak expeditions of all time” relied on the assistance of wind power via sails, Crossing the Ditch will be completely unsupported and unaided.
For more information, click here to go to www.crossingtheditch.com.au