Way back in the summer of 2008-2009 I worked my first season in Fiordland, guiding kayaking trips for a company which was then called Fiordland Wilderness Experiences. I was a whitewater paddler and they taught me how to guide, forming the base of my sea kayak skills that I have today. That summer I fell in love with the wildness and sheer beauty of the fiords. The power of this place is immense – waterfalls hundreds of metres high thundering into the fiord below, violent winds, remote wild camping, and an average annual rainfall in excess of 8m. Each day was an adventure and to be immersed in this paradise daily was exciting, challenging and a real privilege.
In the little lakeside town of Te Anau, I was surrounded by inspiring people – guides that had been on long, self supported kayaking adventures in the remote fiords. Hearing their stories first inspired me to set off on my own trips – three month long self supported kayaking trips on the Fiordland coast during winter. These adventures lead to my South Island circumnavigation, and the trips that followed.
Since that first summer I have come and gone, saving during the summer seasons and heading off on my own adventures during the winters. This job has grounded me for six months of each year, but then allowed me the freedom to chase adventure and my dreams during the offseason. I’ve always left without committing to the next season, yet knowing that I’ve always got a job if I want it. It’s perfect really!
Over the years the Fiordland Wilderness Experiences brand slowly developed into the new Real Journey’s owned ‘Sea Kayak Fiordland’. Then last winter we were merged with another Real Journey’s subsidiary company called Go Orange. Through all these changes our products have never changed, we still run the same awesome, hard core 2-5 day wilderness kayaking and camping trips in Doubtful Sound, and our 1 day kayaking trip into Milford.
Just this week Go Orange have jumped on board as a main sponsor for our expedition. As well as making a cash contribution, they have offered us a few trips to give away as rewards on our crowd funding page – (A cruise in Milford Sound for 2 people, a 1 day Milford Sound Kayaking trip for 2 people, an overnight Doubtful Sound Kayaking and camping trip for 2 people, and lastly, a day cruise into Doubtful Sound for 2 people.) You can check out more about these rewards on our page https://givealittle.co.nz/project/kayaksvalbard/updates There is only two days left before our crowd funding page ends, so check it out now for some other great rewards and spread the word!
A huge thanks Go Orange!!
Yeah! For anyone reading this in time, I can heartily recommend the Go Orange trips!