Solo Paddle Around Ireland
Donation protected
Social media won't allow me to post my blog link!
Trying to figure that out..
The day is rapidly approaching and I am set to launch on June 15th from Bullock Harbor in Dublin!
Although my field of work is incredibly rewarding, working as an outdoor educator does not make the finest of pennies, and although I expected this expedition to be expensive, these things always cost more than you think in the end. Anything is appreciated! The cost of camp fuel, food for the months I am out, or the last bits of gear I have needed to buy over here. Thanks for your support, and for those who have already donated, it means the world.
Things I have already gotten with help:
- A pfd (my old one didn't fit me well for the long run).
- NRS booties with strong tread for those slippery rocks.
- A helmet
- Health/travel insurance
- Checking a second airline bag with all my paddle gear in it from Washington State (2nd checked bag is $100 when flying international!)
- Fuel for stove
- A second hand GoPro! Planning on documenting with video.
- Dry goods for first couple of days.
Things I still need:
- Sunglasses to protect the side spaces around my eyes (light get through the sides on my normal pair, creates blind spot)
- Food for 2.5 - 3 months (yikes)
- Fuel for stove
- Tent (I was committed to using a black diamond mega mid and backed out because of stories told to me about them in wind. Back to the drawing board)
- JB Marine Weld, Denso tape, other repair kit bits
- A hot meal after a shit day...maybe a pint of Guiness?
I’ve been on the journey of training and planning and mentally preparing, and am currently in the throws of route planning and making sure every last bit of gear is what I want for the trip. The summer will consist of about two and a half to three months on the water and about 1,000-1,200 miles of coastline. For me it’s about seeing the coastline and sea birds, stopping in places I love, and places I’ve never been, and having the time to allow for weather days for when my risk management suggests I stay on land.
I’ll be camping most of the way, but also have some incredible support from people in the Irish Sea Kayaking Association, which is a group of paddlers all over the country that come together every now and then for meets and symposiums. I have some amazing mentors in that group that have been helping me along the way, and am being sponsored by Paddle North in Northern Ireland with a beautiful Rockpool Taran for the trip.
Right now what I’m doing on my big map is making points of where suitable harbors, bays, beaches, islands and resupply points are so I know every in and out that I can rely on. I’ll go about 4-6 days before needing to resupply food and water is a bit more accessible.
The whole trip itself is solo, but I’ll hopefully have paddlers join me for the more committed stretches of cliffs and coastline where it is not an option to land (like the cliffs of Moher). Once the time comes closer I’ll be reaching out to people and hope to have lots of company!
I’m starting in the greater Dublin area, and going clockwise, that way I’ll get into the swing of things for a bit paddling in the calmer waters of the Irish Sea before rounding the corner to the wild Atlantic wind and swell.
Lots more to look into and plan for this winter before heading over in the spring! I’m so excited!
Organizer
Ariel Gazarian
Organizer
Ely, MN