For Fun's Sake Expedition

Well, here we are. Exactly 1 year to the day that Nuka and I had our COVID-19 meeting about the 2020 expedition. Watching the video back, all the reasons for the delay are still true now. A lot has changed and at the same time, not much has changed. ... But one big difference is that it feels like we are reaching the beginning of the end. Our postponement last time felt like we were hoping things would be normal in a year. Today it feels like we can set a date with confidence. And on top of this... Nuka and his partner (like real life partner, not just kayaking friend) have recently welcomed a brand new baby boy into the world! This time round it is an easy decision to say that we will launch our kayak journey to Alaska in 2022. The Inside Passage will still be there. We are not prepared to cut the trip short, to skip out visiting important communities or in any way rush through it and not give it the attention, time and respect it deserves. Thanks to everyone for being a part of the journey. And thanks to our sponsors for understanding our decisions thus far. We shall be posting regular updates of what's been going on behind the scenes as we start to put this thing together!

Ohhhhh boy! Is there anything more exciting than a massive parcel arriving with your name on it?! Only made better when you spot a big NRS sticker on the side. A fresh delivery, jam packed with all sorts of kayak goodies. It is definitely about time some of my 10 year old gear saw an upgrade, so I am super excited to get all this out on the Cornish coast here in England. ... Now is around the time we should have been finishing up our trip. Arriving in Skagway, drying out, desalinating and starting the monumental video and photo edit. Things have gone a little different. We will be putting out a full video update real soon. Something along the lines of 'The Summer We Didn't Kayak To Alaska'. We've each been fairly busy behind the scenes, using the time to improve our skills, further our prep and generally keep on keeping on through the implosion of the world as we know it. Expeditions come with their highs, lows, successes and setbacks. Who knew we'd be up against so much before we even set off. Stay tuned for that.

Chris has thrown together the full story of how he and Nuka became facebook official, and For Fun's Sake Expedition was born! It's up on Rad Season! How a Brit with no geographical knowledge of North America - let alone a boat or a paddle, turned the ridiculous idea of kayaking from Vancouver Island to Alaska into a reality.... Shout out to all the friends, family and sponsors who are helping us make this thing happen. NRS, Watershed Drybags, Bending Branches, Craghoppers https://radseason.com/sea-kayak-expedition-to-alaska/

What is this Mediterranean paradise that seems to have replaced the grey, dreary English weather? The sun does shine! Bending Branches Navigator looking fine in the sun.

Thanks for the write up Aqua-Bound Bending Branches! Here's how COVID has affected our plans and what we are doing about it. Make sure to follow us on Instagram if you aren't already! @ffs_expedition ... https://aquabound.com//when-our-kayak-trip-plans-are-disru

Wooooooow does it feel good to be back on the water. After a LONG winter that merged into an even longer spring hibernation due to you-know-what, it feels so so good to finally dip the Bending Branches Navigator into the north Atlantic! My expectations for 2020 went from sky high ambition, taking on the biggest project I have ever faced... to complete survival mode, wishing for nothing more than the safety of loved ones. It is astonishing how things develop. Now all I can sa...y is I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be back in a boat for the remainder of the summer. I'll be guiding folks around for the north coast of Cornwall, U.K., whilst simultaneously growing FFS into something larger than it could have ever been the first time round. I hope wherever you are in the world and however your world has been rocked - you find some time to escape the madness and enjoy nature. - Chris

With our daily schedules jam packed with so much relaxing, chilling and taking it easy, we almost forgot to share some HUGE NEWS! We are beyond thrilled to announce that NRS will be supporting our trip to Alaska! (remember when we said we'd make it even bigger and better than before?) NRS have been in the game since 1972 and if you've had any involvement in the paddling world, then I am sure you've come across them in some form; be it a dry gear, water shoes, PFD or any othe...r type of paddling necessity. The gear they produce is built with outdoor professionals in mind - it is built to improve your overall experience on the water, it is built to last and to withstand a battering from the elements. Something that will be quite important for us! On top of making solid gear, NRS are involved with a number of national and local groups for water access programs and stewardship of wild spaces such as rivers, lakes and oceans. It is important as wilderness adventurers that the places we love to play in can be protected and preserved for generations to come.