Training: 5 months to go...

Training

Planning and preparing for an expedition takes time, effort and commitment. Through the winter it has been useful to use our time asking for sponsorships, planning and organising. But now spring is closing in it is time to hit the gym and get the boat on the water.

There are lots of elements to consider; strength, endurance, paddle fitness.. The list is endless, there is always something to work on. And it is hard to get expedition fit before the expedition starts but hopefully the more hours we put in now the better our bodies will adjust when we set off from Dublin.

Yesterday Vibeke and I decided to use the weekend to get some km under our belt. We are aiming to be paddling around eight hours a day on our trip so as part of our training it will be beneficial to stretch the days out.. Loads the boats and set off for the day.

As our first long distance trip of the year we decided to give Øygarden a go. 60km round trip, gentle Northerly breeze, air temperature around -2℃. Almost perfect. Starting at Vik going anti clockwise. Dress and ready to hop on the water at 8. Knowing in the back of our minds there is a rugby match to get to by 1750.

So just as I put my boat on the water I see something floating on the water.. Mmm.. took a few seconds to recognise it was my compass which I hadn’t tied on yet.. Ops what to do? Reach it with the hand.. Not quite.. Bit more and you are in the water. Just when you remembered you went for the pants and jacket option today. So yes I was flapping around in the water and I did rescue the compass. Luckily the kokatat bibs small men's are made for someone slightly taller that me. So it benefited me this time that the bibs come up to my armpits and keeping the cold water our. After we both stopped laughing we set off.

As we are paddling along I thought to myself how beautiful is this. Clear sky, sun coming up, how about a picture. So I reach for the camera and try to turn it on. Nothing.. Sometimes it helps to take the battery out of things and put it back maybe it will work. As I open the camera out pours the water. Usually I'm pretty good at fixing things in the field but this problem nothing much to do.

It is brilliant on long distance trip how such small things make you happy. Just being able to stand up, stretch your back and have a toilet break. These are all things we are looking forward to. Lunch spot ahead. We scramble up the slipway and have a stretch.. Breathe in the fresh sea air.. What is that smell. Oh yes it is a box full of rotten fish just up wind. Lovely. That made it a quick break and back on the water.

The sun in Bergen doesn't often come out but this weekend has been gorgeous. Coming around the northerly tip of Øygarden the sun is beaming in you face. Sunglasses? Yes they would have been useful. The sun being very low this time of year became quite problematic. It made it very hard to see where we were going.. Luckily I did save the compass so following a bearing became almost essential to navigate through the cluster of islands. Often sun can cause sea sickness and heat stroke but this trip we discovered sunburn. We notice when our skin is getting burnt, but it was a first for eye burns. After an hour or two paddling into the sun Vibeke had been quite affected by her eyes being exposed too much to the sun. Red eyes, painful and itchy. Always a scare when it is to do with the eyes.

So we changed our course to the nearest exit but it was still an hour before getting on land. Vibeke managed to shade her eyes from the sun and paddle in pain for a little bit longer before we could call it a day.  

Every trip we go on there is always something to take from it. This trip we definitely learnt sunglasses are a big must have in the kayak. Sun cream even if it is -2 in February. Tie your compass onto your kayak before putting it on the water and making sure everything is working before you set off.

Vebeke is making a speedy recovery and hopefully next weekend we will be ready to try again.

Ashley

About the team: Vibeke Steinvåg

When we set off on our expedition, I will have been paddling for exactly 3 years.

Not being so long ago, I can still remember clearly how I felt the first time I sat in a sea kayak. Peaceful, excited – I felt completely in love. And the feeling just grows stronger every time I go out.

There is no easy way to describe it. But for me, after many years away from home on the coast of northern Norway, I felt completely at ease. In touch with my heritage from generations of fishermen and outdoorsmen (and women). I got reminded of who I really am as a person, and what I already know. This was the activity I was meant to do.

In the process I was extremely lucky to meet and be invited to join very skillful and experienced paddlers, who not only very generously shared their knowledge and skills, but loaned me equipment and used their spare time to make me a better paddler. I am filled with gratitude, and  humbleness and honour to have been given such a gift and opportunity.

Through paddling I have found love and my best friends. This is where I am reminded of selflessness and generosity. And most of all the beauty and power of nature. Paddling is definitely so much more than a spare time activity. To me it’s a lifestyle and a mentality.

After some time paddling what I found most interesting and giving was long distance paddling, preferably as fast as possible, both in sea kayak and surfski.

I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment after pushing myself and my boundaries, and it suits my slightly competitive nature.

This is why when Ashley asked if I would be interested in joining this expedition I felt very excited and honoured.....And petrified.

But loosing my mother to cancer when she was still quite young, not even 50 years old, I made her a promise to always do my best to live life to the fullest and never take great opportunities for granted. I had no choice but to say YES!

For me it made sense to support a cancer related charity, and I am so proud to see people are already supporting our chosen charity: Barnekreftforeningen.

I am SO excited to join these incredible strong and skillful young ladies on this amazing adventure.

-Vibeke

About the team: Ashley Williams

I fell in love with kayaking when I moved to Norway in 2010. My first encounter with kayaking was playing around on the fjords where I lived along with some friends who had a bit more experience. I was then asked if I'd like to join a paddle festival that same year to take a beginner course.

I went along to the festival where I met many experienced paddlers, this was an eye opener for me. Getting to know new people, learn all the amazing things they had done and even more to be able to learn from them. It was great. I was hitched.. And I still am.

Ireland Circumnavigation has been in the back of my mind for a while. Have talked about it with a few friends and then September Frida and I met for the storm gathering in Beaulandet and again the conversation came up. Ireland Circumnavigation? What do you think.. And we got to the point where you decide.. Let's stop talking about this and let's do it. So that's where it all began.

Having also talked about the Ireland dream with Vibeke a few times it was great to say come on we are doing this. And there we have it; team of three all committed to circumnavigating Ireland. This is where the planning began.

There are many motivations for the trip. Firstly I look forward to the challenge. I enjoy having a challenge and every now and then it is ok to push yourself that little bit further.. Mm.. So Ireland it is. It is motivating to be a team of three ladies. Men still dominate most sports so come on girls we can do this too. There has been inspiring women around Ireland and it would be honorable to be there on the list with them too.

What's great is that we can use this opportunity to raise money for Barnekreftforeningen. This is a big motivation to raise as much money as we can to support the children's cancer charity and raise awareness.

I am looking forward to fulfilling our goal. I am looking forward to every headland we will go around, the variety of conditions we will tackle and the challenges the trip will bring. This will be hard work but it is also my holiday so I'm looking forward to the laughs and the tent talks and of course the occasional Guinness.