Tim Taylor has battled huge seas, vicious currents, and biting winds – been shadowed by a shark – and tumbled into heavy surf several times.
On shore, he's been targeted by thieves, and fought the loneliness of the long-distance paddler – stuck in remote spots waiting out foul weather.
But Tauranga kayaker Tim Taylor has pushed on – and is now approaching the half-way mark of about 2,700 kilometres in his bid to paddle solo around New Zealand in a record-setting, continuous voyage of about 5,500 kms.
Tim is now 92 days (as of Saturday 26th Feb) into his epic paddle, more than three months after setting off from Tauranga on November 27th.
The 24 year-old's support crew are his parents Paul and Lyn Taylor. Paul says his son has "gone through every emotion that a person can" on the trip – and been more excited, more terrified, more everything."
"He's been scared out of his wits at times."
Tim has paddled more than 2,575kms so far, clocking up 95.8kms on the biggest day in a marathon 13 hours and 20 minutes, with a tail wind along the East Coast of the North Island on December 10th, says Paul.
In 52 days of actual paddling – not counting rest days or time stuck ashore with bad weather - he has achieved a creditable average distance of 49.5kms a day. Some days however, rough, dangerous conditions have forced him ashore after a mere 10 or 15kms.
Tim's biggest enemy has been wind rather than big seas, says Paul, although he has been overturned at least three times – mainly coming and going from beaches. He was "totally knocked out of his boat, heavy going," in one incident.
Paul Taylor says they are more confident than ever of their son completing his epic journey, which they initially thought could be achieved in a mere 99 days, as a best case scenario.
But he adds that Tim's harder fight could prove to be more with himself than the ocean – with the frustrations of being stuck on beaches or other remote spots "chewing away at him."
"I can't imagine the frustrations of having to sit around (and wait) with not another human being for miles."
Tim has been travelling clockwise around the country to make the most of tidal flows, but modified this plan to paddle counter-clockwise around Stewart Island, on the advice of long-time fishermen's shore station radio operator, Meri Leask. She advised Tim that going in this direction would cut the considerable risks.
Paul Taylor says his son managed the crossing of Foveaux Strait in four hours, and the sand files were waiting to welcome him ashore. Although after several days spent rounding the island, Tim said 'Words can't describe how amazing this place is.' The return trip across the Strait was accomplished in lousy weather with Tim referring to 'big wind, big waves, and big currents.'
After looping around Stewart Island - a milestone as the southernmost point of his journey - Tim has been making his way around the bottom of the South Island, with Dusky Sound in Fiordland his latest stop.
It is a worrying stretch of rocky coastline with few landing sites in the form of sandy beaches that present an "escape route," says Paul.
Tim usually breaks his day into two paddling sessions, pulling into shore for lunch and to camp each night. He carries a GPS device call a SPOT which allows his progress to along the coast to be constantly updated. The device sends a signal to satellites, and waypoints are plotted on a Google Earth page linked to his website.
Tim also has an emergency locator beacon, and wears a lifejacket as he paddles his 5.4 metre Mission Eco Bezhig kayak.
If you want to follow Tim's progress as he passes the half-way mark – visit his website www.nzkayaker.com. The site is kept fully updated with Tim's blogs and other comments from his support crew, the Taylors.
