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Setting off from Forster on 13 November 2007 in their custom-designed kayak ''Lot 41'', the two-man expedition hopes to succeed where previous attempts, including the fatal journey of [[Andrew McAuley]], have been unsuccessful.
Setting off from Forster on 13 November 2007 in their custom-designed kayak ''Lot 41'', the two-man expedition hopes to succeed where previous attempts, including the fatal journey of [[Andrew McAuley]], have been unsuccessful.


Once completed, the expedition will hold the world record for "the longest trans-oceanic expedition in a double kayak by two expeditioners".<ref>''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10475857 "Kayakers set on beating the Ditch"] [[The New Zealand Herald]]'', 14 November 2007</ref>
Once completed, the expedition will hold the world record for "the longest trans-oceanic expedition in a double kayak by two expeditioners".<ref>''[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid= "Kayakers set on beating the Ditch"] [[The New Zealand Herald]]'', 14 November 2007</ref>


A significant aspect of this undertaking is the use of the World Wide Web and the Internet to allow the public to track the progress of Lot 41 in real time, and message the crew. Photographs and PodCasts from the crew are made available just hours after they have been transmitted from the craft.
A significant aspect of this undertaking is the use of the World Wide Web and the Internet to allow the public to track the progress of Lot 41 in real time, and message the crew. Photographs and PodCasts from the crew are made available just hours after they have been transmitted from the craft.
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Headwinds seemed to be a major problem, and the design of the cabin on the back of the kayak was of concern. When the winds blow from behind, the cabin presents a nice smoothed slope not giving much of an additional push. With the headwinds, the nearly vertical cabin entrance acts as a large sail fighting against the paddlers. Future attempts will certainly give more consideration to the aerodynamics of the cabin design.
Headwinds seemed to be a major problem, and the design of the cabin on the back of the kayak was of concern. When the winds blow from behind, the cabin presents a nice smoothed slope not giving much of an additional push. With the headwinds, the nearly vertical cabin entrance acts as a large sail fighting against the paddlers. Future attempts will certainly give more consideration to the aerodynamics of the cabin design.


By 29 December 2007 they were about 460 km from Auckland.<ref name=four_aussie_rowers>{{cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200712292056/four_aussie_rowers_near_end_of_trans-tasman_journey|title=Four Aussie rowers near end of Trans-Tasman journey|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=[[29 December]] [[2007]]|accessdate=2007-12-29]]}}</ref>
By 29 December 2007 they were about 460 km from Auckland.<ref name=four_aussie_rowers>{{cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest//four_aussie_rowers_near_end_of_trans-tasman_journey|title=Four Aussie rowers near end of Trans-Tasman journey|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=[[29 December]] [[2007]]|accessdate=]]}}</ref>


==Lot 41 Design and Construction==
==Lot 41 Design and Construction==
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** 1976. Colin Quincy, a New Zealand kayaker, made the first paddle-powered trans-Tasman crossing, taking 67 days.
** 1976. Colin Quincy, a New Zealand kayaker, made the first paddle-powered trans-Tasman crossing, taking 67 days.
** Dec 2 2006. Andrew McAuley departed Tasmania but turned back on Dec 6 after some equipment issues and severe weather.<ref>''[http://www.andrewmcauley.com/ "He's Off"] Andrew McAuley'', 2 January 2007</ref>
** Dec 2 2006. Andrew McAuley departed Tasmania but turned back on Dec 6 after some equipment issues and severe weather.<ref>''[http://www.andrewmcauley.com/ "He's Off"] Andrew McAuley'', 2 January 2007</ref>
**Jan 11 2007. Andrew McAuley departed from Fortescue Bay, Tasmania, Australia bound for the South Island of New Zealand. Andrew McAuley was last reported 35 Nautical Miles from New Zealand before an emergency search and rescue operation was begun. Andrew's Kayak was found adrift, the emergency beacon unactivated. Andrew's body has not been recovered.<ref>''[http://www.andrewmcauley.com/ "Take Two"] Andrew McAuley'', 11 January 2007</ref>
**Jan . Andrew McAuley departed from Fortescue Bay, Tasmania, Australia bound for the South Island of New Zealand. Andrew McAuley was last reported 35 Nautical Miles from New Zealand before an emergency search and rescue operation was begun. Andrew's Kayak was found adrift, the emergency beacon unactivated. Andrew's body has not been recovered.<ref>''[http://www.andrewmcauley.com/ "Take Two"] Andrew McAuley'', 11 January 2007</ref>
* '''Rowing'''
* '''Rowing'''
**November 29 2007. Four Australians departed from the [[Hokianga]]. They arrived in Sydney Harbour on December 30 at 8:15am.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200712301356/australian_rowers_cross_tasman_sea|title=Australian rowers cross Tasman Sea|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=[[30 December]] [[2007]]}}</ref>
**November . Four Australians departed from the [[Hokianga]]. They arrived in Sydney Harbour on December 30 at 8:15am.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest//australian_rowers_cross_tasman_sea|title=Australian rowers cross Tasman Sea|publisher=[[Radio New Zealand]]|date=[[30 December]] [[2007]]}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
* Mercer, Phil ''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7091952.stm "Kayakers begin Tasman Sea attempt"], [[BBC News]]'', 13 November 2007
* Mercer, Phil ''[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/.stm "Kayakers begin Tasman Sea attempt"], [[BBC News]]'', 13 November 2007
* Ramachandran, Arjun ''[http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/if-youre-into-extremes-youll-get-their-drift/2007/11/20/1195321744353.html "If you're into extremes, you'll get their drift"], [[Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 19 November
* Ramachandran, Arjun ''[http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/if-youre-into-extremes-youll-get-their-drift/2007/11/20/.html "If you're into extremes, you'll get their drift"], [[Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 19 November


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 23:37, 12 January 2008

Idealised route of the trans-Tasman kayak crossing

Crossing the Ditch is the effort of adventurers Justin Jones and James Castrission to become the first duo to cross the Tasman Sea and travel from Australia to New Zealand by sea kayak.

Setting off from Forster on 13 November 2007 in their custom-designed kayak Lot 41, the two-man expedition hopes to succeed where previous attempts, including the fatal journey of Andrew McAuley, have been unsuccessful.

Once completed, the expedition will hold the world record for "the longest trans-oceanic expedition in a double kayak by two expeditioners".[1]

A significant aspect of this undertaking is the use of the World Wide Web and the Internet to allow the public to track the progress of Lot 41 in real time, and message the crew. Photographs and PodCasts from the crew are made available just hours after they have been transmitted from the craft.

The Team

The kayakers of Lot 41 are James Castrission and Justin Jones, two Australians from Sydney, Australia. They attended school together and have since kayaked the Bass Strait as well as being the first to paddle the length of the Murray River, a distance of 2560km.[2]

The team includes many others who have helped in the preparation and provide constant support from land.

The Journey

As of 2 December, 2007 Justin and James were approaching the vector halfway point, 1039.5 km from Forster and 1058.24km from Auckland. Their distance over land, which is measures the real path of the kayak and not a straight line, was 1372 km. Many people were congratulating them on being more than halfway to the destination as they had travelled over 1200km total.

Headwinds seemed to be a major problem, and the design of the cabin on the back of the kayak was of concern. When the winds blow from behind, the cabin presents a nice smoothed slope not giving much of an additional push. With the headwinds, the nearly vertical cabin entrance acts as a large sail fighting against the paddlers. Future attempts will certainly give more consideration to the aerodynamics of the cabin design.

By 29 December 2007 they were about 460 km from Auckland.[3]

Lot 41 Design and Construction

The kayak Lot 41 was designed for the trans-Tasman crossing by Rob Feloy, who had designed the kayak for Peter Bray´s trans-Atlantic Crossing approximately six years earlier. The Lot 41 design includes two cockpits, a cabin at the stern of the craft, a large water tank and storage for over 60 days of food for the two kayakers. An array of solar panels was incorporated into the design in order to charge the batteries used to power communication systems, bilge pumps and a water desalination unit. The fibreglass kayak was built in Australia in 2005 and fitted with support systems including emergency beacons, satellite phone, global tracking system, and GPS.

History of the Names

The Ditch

The Tasman Sea has for many years been referred to as "The Ditch" by Australians and New Zealanders. The exact etymology for this term is uncertain, however when traveling to New Zealand from Australia (or vice versa), it is commonly referred to as "crossing the ditch".

Lot 41

Lot 41 is named after the lot number of a race horse, "Phar Lap", widely considered to be Australia and New Zealand's most famous racehorse. Born and bred in New Zealand, the thoroughbred destined to be Australia's wonder horse was known only as Lot 41 when it was sold at the 1928 National Yearling Sales near Wellington. Following its purchase by a Sydney trainer, the thoroughbred made the trans-Tasman crossing to Australia where it became famous.

Other Notable Crossings or Attempts

  • One man kayak
    • 1976. Colin Quincy, a New Zealand kayaker, made the first paddle-powered trans-Tasman crossing, taking 67 days.
    • Dec 2 2006. Andrew McAuley departed Tasmania but turned back on Dec 6 after some equipment issues and severe weather.[4]
    • Jan . Andrew McAuley departed from Fortescue Bay, Tasmania, Australia bound for the South Island of New Zealand. Andrew McAuley was last reported 35 Nautical Miles from New Zealand before an emergency search and rescue operation was begun. Andrew's Kayak was found adrift, the emergency beacon unactivated. Andrew's body has not been recovered.[5]
  • Rowing
    • November . Four Australians departed from the Hokianga. They arrived in Sydney Harbour on December 30 at 8:15am.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Kayakers set on beating the Ditch" The New Zealand Herald, 14 November 2007
  2. ^ "James Castrission" Crossing the Ditch, 31 December 2007
  3. ^ "Four Aussie rowers near end of Trans-Tasman journey". Radio New Zealand. 29 December 2007. Retrieved ]]. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  4. ^ "He's Off" Andrew McAuley, 2 January 2007
  5. ^ "Take Two" Andrew McAuley, 11 January 2007
  6. ^ "Australian rowers cross Tasman Sea". Radio New Zealand. 30 December 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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