They’ve done it! Kayakers cross the ditch
They have done it! James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, have cross the Tasman Sea and reached New Plymouth on NZ’s West Coast at 12:20 local time (10:20 AEDT).
In doing so they are the first to kayak across the Tasman Sea. They have also just completed the longest trans-oceanic expedition ever attempted in a double kayak with two expeditioners. This is also the second longest trans- oceanic expedition relying solely on paddle power for propulsion and the fourth longest open water paddle attempted in a kayak.
They reached shore at Ngamotu Beach, to the sounds of more than 3,000 cheering onlookers watching on. The pair paddled to within 10 metres from shore as a local kapa haka group treated them to a rousing welcoming haka.
Close to shore the two exhausted Aussie adventurers supporting each other, gingerly stood up from their seats to cheers of “Go Aussies!” from the massive crowd. Then they jumped into the waist-deep water and, arm-in-arm, they waded ashore for a tearful reunion with waiting family.
“This feels bizarre - I can hardly walk,” said Castrission after stumbling at one stage before he could reach his family.
Finally on land they were swamped by reporters, but managed to find their families.
“Give me a hug,” Jones said to his father amid tears of happiness as champagne corks popped and the crowd of thousands cheered.
They were then held aloft and carried up the beach, where they addressed reporters.
Castrission thanked Jones and said he could not have done it with anybody else.
And when asked by the Taranaki Daily News what their first thoughts were on finally landing, Justin Jones said “Thank you so much New Zealand - you guys rock.”
Addressing the crowd a few minutes later the pair expressed their thanks to the people of Taranaki for their support over the last few days.
“Thanks Taranaki - you kept us going,” said Jones.
The crowd reacted by breaking into song, roaring out a huge rendition of Waltzing Matilda.
“It’s absolutely huge - the place is crammed with people,” says Taranaki Daily News reporter Leighton Keith, who was aboard a boat following Justin Jones, 24, and James Castrission, 25, as they made their way to the finish.
Small boats, yachts, kayaks, surf club IRBs, coastal vessels, and even the Port Taranaki tugs joined a flotilla that accompanied the pair to the finish - with the tugs are adding to the festive atmosphere by spraying water into the air from their fire-fighting hoses.”There are lots of video cameras out, helicopters overhead. It’s all developing into something special,” Keith said.
Jones and Castission paddled all yesterday until 1am today, then slept for two hours before picking up the paddles again at dawn today for their final run to shore.
Before they started their adventure they had hoped Sir Edmund Hillary would greet them on their arrival, but were told he was too sick.
Expedition spokesman Tom Mitchell said the pair were gutted to hear of Sir Ed’s death on Friday, but were used it as inspiration to paddle without rest until their arrival.
Jones said it was tough being caught in currents that swept them in circles part-way through their journey.
“It was obviously frustrating being stuck in the cabin and going around in circles after two weeks in the Tasman, but we always knew we were going to get here. It was just a matter of time,” he said.
Castrission also paid homage to fellow Australian adventurer, Andrew McAuley, who perished trying to kayak across the Tasman by himself last year.
“Andrew was an amazing adventurer. We have only got a small, small idea of what Andrew went through out there.
“Some nights when we were out there, we had each other to hold through the difficult moments.”
After being greeted by a formal Maori powhiri (welcome ceremony) and haka, the pair addressed the crowd before being ushered into an ambulance and taken to hospital for a check-up.
This was an amazing achievement to two young Australians and truley an inspiration to anyone dreaming of adventure. Congratulations of fulling your dreams guys from all of us at Break Loose.
Main Photo: Taranaki Daily News