Let's hope he is alright
This is Andrew Mcauley. He went missing two days ago.He was just 80km shy of his epic 1,600km open sea crossing kayak expedition from Australia to New Zealand across the rough Tasman Sea.
In true adventure spirit, he is doing this expedition solo without support craft. The kayak is a modified one such that he would be able to slip into the cockpit to sleep. A specially constructed capsule pulls over the cockpit prevents water from going in while refreshes the air. A sea anchor is used to prevent drift while he slept.
The sea can be a friend one moment and merciless the next. Just a day's of paddle and he would have achieve his dream. What kept him going on for weeks was a picture of his 3-year old son... who is waiting for daddy to show up.
I really hope he is alright.
Comments
Andrew McAuley, a member of the NSW Sea Kayak Club, is missing off the Fiordland coast of New Zealand. This is a dire situation for his family and friends, our Club, and also for the sea kayaking community in Australia and overseas.
Andrew has been a fantastic ambassador for sea kayaking, having been recognised as the Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2005. He's a person who has proved his ability in extreme circumstances. He's inspired many kayakers and is a well known and well respected member of our community.
In all of Andrew's expeditions, he has been at the forefront of exploring the limits of both himself and the sea kayak. He always puts enormous effort into planning his trips, designing purpose-built equipment and testing both himself and the gear. Yet he is pitted against the sea. Andrew knew the risks and prepared accordingly. His trans-Tasman expedition has shifted the boundaries of what's been done by sea kayakers. It's just such a tragedy that having made the solo journey of over 1,500km that he met with misfortune less that 100km off the New Zealand coast.
At this terrible time, Club members send their hopes and prayers to his wife, Vicki, and family. We wait and hope.
Elizabeth Thomson
President and on behalf of all members of our Club
February, 2007
The kayak has been found intact and undamaged, so it is a mystery really.
My heart goes out to his family...
He was apparently not wearing an immersion suit lessening his chances of survival. Another mystery why not?
So near and yet so far and one of seakayaking's great mystery on his disappearance.