BF2S Forums Kayakers' conquer Tasman

Kayakers' conquer Tasman
By LEIGHTON KEITH - Taranaki Daily News | Sunday, 13 January 2008

"Thank you so much New Zealand - you guys rock."
Those were the first words spoken by emotional Australian kayakers Justin Jones and James Castrission after wading ashore at end their marathon two-month crossing of the Tasman Sea.

More than 10,000 cheering onlookers watched as the pair paddled to Ngamotu Beach inside Port Taranaki. At 12.20pm they stopped paddling and sat about 10 metres off the shore as a local kapa haka group treated them to a rousing welcoming haka.

Supporting each other, they 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.

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.

Castrission thanked Jones and said he could not have done it with anybody else.

"Its phenomenal. We had an incredible time," Castrission said.

The pair were handed two beers, which they enjoyed in front of the crowd.

"This is bloody strange, but I am liking this feeling," Jones said of the reception.

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 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."

The crowd reacted by breaking into song, roaring out a huge rendition of Waltzing Matilda.

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, 24, and Castission, 25, 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.

Castrission and Jones told media they were tired but delighted with their achievement, which went on much longer than anticipated and ended at a different place from where they intended.

They travelled more than 3300km since their departure on November 13 and battled strong winds and tides that saw them go round in circles for part of the trip.

The conditions caused them to abandon their original plan to reach shore at Auckland, which they had hoped to reach before Christmas, and instead use more favourable currents to travel to New Plymouth.

Mr McDonald said it was likely they would remain with friends and family for the day once they got out of hospital.

They are unlikely to do anything public until a function tomorrow at Puke Ariki museum in New Plymouth.

Mr McDonald said the men's families were also a little gobsmacked when Castrission and Jones said they had thought of another adventure in the past two days, one they wouldn't reveal today.

"They'll have to talk to their families first. I don't know if they'll let them," he said. "We're not sure if they were being serious."

The interest in the men's journey was so high today that the website following their progress crashed as they were approaching the shore.

"The website managers said they had around 150,000 to 500,000 hits this morning and it was just too much for the site."

The website was still down early this afternoon.

-with NZPA