Podcast
Questions and Answers
Why did Stuart Cleary turn back to the Australian coast?
Why did Stuart Cleary turn back to the Australian coast?
How long did Stuart Cleary prepare for his voyage?
How long did Stuart Cleary prepare for his voyage?
What was the original purpose of Stuart Cleary's voyage?
What was the original purpose of Stuart Cleary's voyage?
What happened to the kayak after Cleary abandoned it?
What happened to the kayak after Cleary abandoned it?
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How many days of food did Stuart Cleary bring with him on his voyage?
How many days of food did Stuart Cleary bring with him on his voyage?
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Where did Marshall find the barnacle-encrusted kayak?
Where did Marshall find the barnacle-encrusted kayak?
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What was the condition of the kayak after 18 months at sea?
What was the condition of the kayak after 18 months at sea?
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What did Marshall find inside the kayak's cabin?
What did Marshall find inside the kayak's cabin?
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How did Marshall reach out to the owner of the kayak?
How did Marshall reach out to the owner of the kayak?
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What does Cleary want to do with the kayak?
What does Cleary want to do with the kayak?
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Study Notes
The Attempted Kayak Journey
- Stuart Cleary, a 54-year-old man, attempted to paddle solo from Australia to New Zealand in his homemade kayak in 2014.
- The kayak was 20-foot (6-meter) long and designed with a cabin for sleeping.
- Cleary spent four years preparing and training for the 1,200-mile (2,000-kilometer) journey across the Tasman Sea.
The Journey's Challenges
- Just 12 hours into the trip, Cleary's GPS navigation device failed, and his steering rudder stopped working properly.
- Heavy seas and storms caused the kayak to take on water, and Cleary had to turn back to the Australian coast.
The Rescue and Abandonment
- Rescuers arrived, but the waves were too large to tow the kayak, so they abandoned it.
- Cleary thought the kayak would either wash up in Australia or sink in the Tasman Sea.
The Kayak's Unexpected Arrival
- Six months after the rescue, Nathan Marshall found the kayak on a beach in Auckland, New Zealand, 16 miles (25 kilometers) from the intended completion point.
- The kayak was stained and battered but in remarkably good shape after 18 months at sea.
The Reunion and Reflection
- Marshall posted a message on Facebook to find the owner, and within a few hours, he was talking to Cleary in Australia.
- Cleary was amazed and felt that the kayak had "unfinished business" and was considering making a second crossing attempt.
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Description
Read about Stuart Cleary's attempt to paddle solo from Australia to New Zealand in his homemade kayak. Although he didn't complete the journey, his kayak did. Learn about his preparations and the journey across the Tasman Sea.
