SYDNEY (AFP) — Two Australians set off Tuesday in a bid to become the first kayakers to paddle across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, just months after a fellow adventurer died in the attempt.
James Castrission, 25, and Justin Jones, 24, expect their 2,200 kilometre (1,370 mile) odyssey to take between 40 and 50 days in their custom built nine-metre double kayak.
"There's been a range of emotions, but I'm just keen to get out there," Jones told the national AAP news agency shortly before setting off around midday from Forster north of Sydney.
"I believe anyone is capable of doing anything in their life if they truly believe it."
On February 9 this year, Andrew McAuley, 39, disappeared after issuing a distress call when he was just 65 kilometres short of New Zealand after paddling from Tasmania.
His overturned kayak was found a day later but his body was never recovered.
"Obviously it's a very tragic thing that happened with Andrew," Jones said.
"He was an amazing adventurer, but we've tried to learn as much as possible from that experience and also we're taking a vastly different approach to the way he did it."
Paddling as a pair in a double kayak would provide a level of safety which McAuley lacked in his solo bid, Jones said.
The friends have been preparing for the trip for four years, taking part in sleep deprivation, endurance and isolation training.
The two men said they expected to be hit by severe storms but believed they would be able to cope.
"The kayak is designed to take 10 to 12 metre breaking waves, and we've got all the safety features we need so we'll be able to ride out the storm," said Jones.
Their progress can be checked on the website www.crossing the ditch.com.au.
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