The Big Trip by Timo Niukkanen

 Timo Niukkanen, 52, Australian, born in Finland, where also resides, in Tuusula; M.A., 

 Communications Manager (editor/photo journalist) for Sonera Plc, in Helsinki. Learned to paddle as surf lifesaver at Currumbin Beach, Gold
 Coast, Queensland, took it up even more seriously after moving back to Finland to study. Has done nine ACRs, in various boats, most memorably
 in 1993 with Old Town Penobscot 15 solo Canadian, against heavy head winds and with river running very high (first and so far only ACR done with
 C1). 

 The kayaks: 

 Thomas: Star 570, with skeg, made in Finland and sold by Welhonpesä Oy, Klaukkala. Possibly the best expedition kayak for the Baltic Sea, with
 its short, sharp waves. Tested already on this trip in tricky waves peaking at 2 m, performed excellently. Very fast. 

 Timo: Aquila (skegged) made by Valley Canoe Products Ltd, Nottingham, England. Sold by Bear & Water Ltd, Espoo, Finland. Tested as excellent
 for Atlantic conditions, no problems so far in the Baltic. Fast & stable. Triple hatches make it easy to pack. 

 Paddles: Thomas uses a 220 cm kevlar-carbon wing paddle, with same as spare. Timo uses a 220 cm wooden Azali Grillon, with same as spare. 

 20.5.99, Blidö (south of Kapellskär) 

 Cold night, heavy dew, sea water max. 5 degrees, day dawned cloudless, slight wind from north 
 
 
 
 

 Technical equipment on board: 

 - Nokia 9110 Communicator with extra memory card 

 - Nokia 2110 GSM phone as spare 

 - soon to have: new Ericsson Pro GSM for testing, will pick up in Norway as soon as available 

 - Solar-powered charger/battery for phone batteries, made by Fortum, Finland 

 - Casio digital camera 

 - Minolta compact diving camera 

 - Nikon pocket camera 

 - water proof binoculars 

 - Silva Alba Windwatch (wind speed, barometer, temp., time 

 - Suunto Vector wrist barometer, temp. etc. 

 - Garmin 38 GPS Navigator 

 - boat compasses Silva and Suunto, orienteering compasses also 

 Safety equipment.: Lifevests, paddlefloats, wrist supports & - warmers, rescue ropes, red flares, strobe lights, masts 

 for radar reflectors (beer cans), first aid kits, good sunglasses, lots of suncream. 

 Clothing: Dry suits on top, Ullfrotte & wool underneath, wool & fleece for camping 

 Tents: Hilleberg and Artiach mountaineering tents, with Therma-Rest and Artiach mattresses 

 Food: Porridge and bread with tea & coffee in the morning, coffee & bread/biscuits with cheese & tinned ham during breaks, pasta for main meal,
 bananas & chocolates for snacks, water spiced with Sport Lime while paddling, rum cocoa for nightcaps, hamburgers & pizzas when we find them,
 cold beer in ports of call. Plan to fish in Norway.

Over the past three weeks, I've pinpointed some potential risks on a long kayak journey like ours:

Tendonitis

With the wrists getting a lot of strain in cold conditions, they should be protected with neoprene wrist warmers and cuffs at all times while paddling. Tendonitis will put a painful end to paddling.

Hypothermia

This can strike anyone exposed to cold conditions, whose clothing will not retain body heat when wet. Wool, polypropene, neoprene and Gore Tex are the best preventives. For long-distance paddling, a dry-suit is infinitely better than a wet-suit.

Cuts

Even a small cut can turn into a big problem when exposed to water day after day. Extra care should be taken to tend all cuts to hands immediately, not the next day.

Sunburn

Take all possible means to guard against the sun, which is everywhere, reflected back from the water around you. Lips, noses, backs of necks and hands are particularly susceptible. A peaked cap with a neck-cloth and a pair of light cotton gloves give good protection. Good sunglasses, with a spare pair tucked away, are a must against snow-blindness.

Slipping on rocks

Kayakers often find themselves in risky places, landing on rocky shores and clambering up and down wave-swept or rain-slick rocks. One slip can mean a broken elbow or twisted ankle, i.e the end of the journey. 

Nutrition

Eat lots of protein and carbohydrates. Have a big breakfast, such as porridge, fruit soup, bread, cheese and coffee. Pasta for dinner. Hard-boiled eggs, bread and cheese during coffee breaks. Dried fruit and chocolates for snacks. Bananas, too, for calium, which prevents cramps and acts against tendonitis. Supplement these with multivitamins and muscle-restoring magnesium and calcium. Drink lots of water, laced e.g. with sports lime for taste. Pancakes and beer after a really hard day. Rum in evening cocoa or tea will guarantee a good sleep.

Fatigue

On a journey of several weeks or months, long days of paddling should be interspersed with rest days, short days etc., even if no tiredness is felt. Fatigue can sneak up on a paddler and strike during sudden storms etc. when energy is really needed. Too little sleep will also affect one's judgement, temperament and mental attitude.

Hygiene

A long-distance sea paddler can turn awfully grungy awfully fast. Paddling 10-12 hours a day, away from civilisation, in cold water, it can be tempting to forget things like washing oneself or changing one's underwear. Even if the paddler does not regard this as a problem, others will when he goes ashore for shopping.

Ships and boats

Never underestimate the blindness of a fast-moving motor vessel. Kayaks do not show up well on radars, especially in windy conditions with whitecaps about. Regard all ships and boats as enemies until you're sure they've seen you or you've moved out of their path. Beware particularly of muscleboat captains, moving at 30 knots with a beer can in one hand and a girlfriend's hand in the other. Wear bright clothing. Carry a flashlight, red flares, a whistle, and a slightly crushed empty beer can as a radar reflector when crossing busy boating areas or shipping lanes.

Listening to experts

In every town and village, there is someone who will give you oodles of information about the local conditions, mostly in the form of dire warnings and doomsday messages. Some of this may be vital, such as the location of tidal streams and kayak-devouring whirlpools. Most of the information will, however, be of little use, as it is probably relevant to bigger boats, not kayaks. Few people on shore realise what a seaworthy vessel a well designed sea kayak is. Having played around with motor boats, I can say with all honesty that weather unfit for an average size boat may be perfectly OK for a sea kayak.

Safe kayaking depends most of all on spot judgements and decisions made by the kayaker himself, based on available weather information, specific local conditions if any, and the capabilities of himself, his kayak, and his team members. Information from paddlers who have done it before can also be a great help.

Like the text on the box containing my Silva Alba Windwatch says: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad preparation (Viking Erik the Red, 987 AD