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I've not done a sponsored event since I was in the Cubs and have been thinking about bigger challenges to train for. Explaining this to a Welsh friend of mine he suggested paddling the interesting bits of the Welsh coast line, I said 'in one trip?', he said 'unaided?' and suddenly we had the start of a plan. 

We looked at a map and worked out there's about 500km we would need to paddle, that’s about 12 marathons! We are also going the 'wrong way round' as most people paddle south to north up the Welsh coast to take advantage of prevailing winds...

On the 28th of July I'll start from near Chester and paddle for two days solo to Anglesey, there I will meet up with my paddling wingman Jonathan 'JC' Clement and together we will paddle to Burry Port (near his home town) close to Llanelli, a trip of some 400km (equivalent to about 10 marathons) which takes in the entire west coast of Wales. At the end of that I'll be long over due a pint of Brains, 'alf an' 'alf and and a mahooosive curry.

In total it should take about two weeks, camping out of our boats using the food and water we carry and can scrounge up along the way. This is no small undertaking, Welsh weather is notoriously tempestuous, the coastline is extremely rugged (with long sections of cliff preventing easy exits), the swells can be very large and is blessed some of the biggest tidal ranges in the world. It might take a bit longer than planned, we might not get a suitable weather window. Glamping we are not, it's bivvy bags and cold beans for us. Plus, washing in salt water for a week gets to be, well, salty.

Here's an insight into what it will be here.

https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zeDmalYqXRJY.kceAq2Mr150E

We have not marked on portages and stop overs yet which will add a few more kilometers to the distance...

I'm raising money for Parkinsons UK because my dad was diagnosed with the disease about 8 years ago and has been battling through the daily struggle with it ever since. I know this is not easy for him so wanted to take on something that had a significant level of difficulty. For me the challenge has started already. I am training 2-3 hours daily, have stopped smoking and am avoiding alcohol for the whole of July to be fit enough to do it!

So please, donate the price of a few beers I won’t be drinking and help me make this challenge a success. I really appreciate your time and interest and am extremely grateful for your help and any messages of inspiration! I know not everyone can give as much they would like to, so please contribute by sharing this with friends who might be interested.

Thanks already go out to:

Jeff Allen at Sea Kayaking Cornwall: www.seakayakingcornwall.com

Ivan Lawler at Ultimate Kayaks: www.ultimatekayaks.co.uk

For helping us get set up with a loan of kit that will up to the job. We will both be paddling Epic 18x Sport kayaks.

Open water kayaking is classed as a hazardous event, so I have to point out that Parkinsons UK are only helping with fundraising support for the trip, and have no involvement with the organisation of the event.

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