Nordkapp Expedition 2009

As a team of 5, we are planning an expedition to the Northern part of Norway in August this year. We will be travelling along the coast in sea kayaks, setting off from the Arctic Circle at a town called Bodo. The journey is 500 miles in length and will finish at the North Cape. Along the way we will be cutting through the Lofoten isle’s, pushing on into the far North passing Tromso and the most Northerly town in the world, Hammerfest, until we reach our finish point, Nordkapp.

This is a formidable expedition with various natural hazards. Much of the coastline consists of jagged precipitous peaks and cliffs separated by steep fjords. Landing points are often difficult to locate and few in number, apart from the small towns of Tromso and Hammerfest the final half of the journey particularly is very remote from habitations. The changeable weather conditions have some similarities with the west coast of Scotland, but the higher latitude and much larger scale of the mountain means that winds in excess of 100 knots are not uncommon.

This same journey was undertaken by a team of explorers in 1975, when the journey from Bodo to Nordkapp had never been attempted. Also no journey of this nature had been thought possible in Kayaks. The team spent time developing the equipment needed in order to make this expedition possible, subsequently designing the Nordkapp sea kayak. This was the first kayak ever to have dry hatches in the front and back, where they were able to store food and equipment for the journey. Since the trip this design has gone on to revolutionise sea kayaking as a sport.
In 1975 this journey took four weeks, proving to be a real test of the team’s physical and mental capabilities. Nevertheless the expedition was a success and plays a large part in paddle sport history.

Both son’s of one of the original expeditions team member (Colin Litten) will be part of this year’s trip. Also we will all be using Nordkapp sea kayaks as used in the 1975 expedition, one of the original sea kayaks will be used as a measure of the changing times. All of the necessary supplies will be carried to be totally self sufficient on the four week expedition.

Picture - The North Cape

Along our journey we will be using video and still cameras to record the events and feelings of the team whilst on the expedition. The footage obtained will be used for interacting with schools upon return. We feel that by presenting to various schools, we can help benefit other people as well as ourselves. The footage will also be used for publicity through magazine articles and slideshow presentations at canoe exhibitions and outdoor centres.

Kayak Chang

Kayak Chang, is a new company we have just set up this winter. Based on the island of Koh Chang on the coast of Thailand, this company offers guided sea kayaking tours.

At the moment we are opperating between the months of November and April, offering two different trips. We have shipped all brand new equipment out from the UK, so we are able to offer our clients fantastic equipment to make the most from the day with us.

For more information please check out www.kayakchang.com

Tourist attraction

Skelwith falls is a great place to go and play, an afternoon spent here running the fall countless times is fantastic for kicking your waterfall running skills into touch. On Friday we seemed to attract such a crowd of tourists I wondered how much this would attract more people to the area to watch paddlers testing themselves in the water, must be good for the trade, but do they realise it? We had lots of fun and it was good to see non-paddlers reactions to what we thought was normal behaviour. Then seemingly out of nowhere a guy turned up with a raft, not a proper raft but a £5 raft from Asda! I'm not sure if he intended to run the fall in it or not but with our bank safety in place he hopped in above the fall with a nervous grin, and plopped off. The raft burst immediately and he disappeared for ages. When he resurfaced we threw him a line and got him out, still grinning. I think this goes beyond the manufacturers boundaries but certainly the most fun you can have for £5!

The Highlands have attracted boaters for years with its big wild rivers and even wilder pub's. The white water is fantastic with lots of rivers of varying grades and styles in an impressive setting.

We offer paddling trips in and around Glencoe for groups of kayakers looking for adrenaline filled rivers and good accommodation. You will be guided down the classic runs of the highlands with some lesser known ones aswell, packing in as many trips as time will allow. The trip is generally 4 days long, with self catered cottages included and guiding/ coaching on each day. Scotland is too good an area to be missed and this trip will help you make the most of your time.

For any further questions or to make a booking, please contact me;

joshlitten@hotmail.co.uk

07766106708

Lake District white water

I realised it is difficult to go to a new area armed only with a guide book, to find decent white water on runs where the water level is crutial.

The Lakes has it all, good scenic low grade kayaking for people just starting to paddle white water or for relaxed days on the river, to the steeper more full on runs of harder grades.We offer courses to suit the level of your group, this can be beginner kayaking with good quality coaching, or guiding on the harder rivers making the most of the water levels.

The accommodation is a B+B just outside the Lake District but with direct access to many classic runs, within 20 mins you could be at any of 3 excelent rivers with many tributarys. Also facilities like a drying room, kit hire and expert coaching, and a good pub within 5 minute walk.

Your tailor made course is available when dates suit, so please contact us for more details on arrangements and price.

Contact;

joshlitten@hotmail.co.uk

07766106708

Lets go boating!

Adventure Rush

Adventure Rush is an exciting new company offering expert tuition and support for individuals and groups wanting adventurous activities. We specialise in White Water Kayaking, based in the Lake District we have many fantastic rivers on our doorstep. Whether you have no experience and want the kit and expert coaching for an exciting day out, or you are already a paddler and want guiding on an unknown river and push your grade adventure rush will look after you.