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Monday, February 1, 2010

From Phuket to California by kayak

The pair plan to start their amazing voyage on March 10.
The pair plan to start their amazing voyage on March 10.

The 20-foot 'Say-Lee' sea kayak that the daring duo will use for their trans-Pacific odyssey.
The 20-foot 'Say-Lee' sea kayak that the daring duo will use for their trans-Pacific odyssey.

PHUKET: Two Phuket kayakers are getting ready for a spot of exercise: the world’s longest paddling expedition, a 14,000-mile voyage from Phuket to California in a 20-foot wooden boat.

American Ryan Doran, 26, and Phatum Thani born Piya ‘Mr X’ Sukunthai, 28, plan to leave Nai Harn Beach on March 10 – and they won’t be back for a while.

During their paddle, which they expect to take 20 months, they will pass through Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and Russia before braving a 217-mile leg across the Bering Sea, one of the world’s most treacherous expanses of ocean.

If they successfully make the crossing, they will continue on to Alaska and Canada, and the lower 48 US States.

If all goes according to plan, the pair will port in Ryan’s home city of San Francisco, California, a few pounds lighter and just in time for Christmas next year.

Their own parents have branded their trip ‘crazy and dangerous beyond belief', but for Ryan and Mr X the adventure is a life-long dream.

Currently in training, they can be seen most days paddling off Nai Harn Beach, and Promthep Cape in their Phuket-made kayak, Say-Lee (liberty).

Some sea kayakers have paddled sections of Ryan and Mr X’s planned voyage – but no one has ever gone the full way.

Hypothermia and huge waves will be their main concern when navigating through the South China and Bering seas.

The first to paddle across the Bering Sea was Jon Turk and his team, who completed the feat in 2000.

Turk’s team had to contend with 20-foot waves, navigate through ice shelves and withstand nine long days of sub-zero temperatures and zero visibility shrouded in a blanket of fog. They survived and the crossing is still heralded today as one of the world’s greatest-ever kayaking expeditions.

Ryan and Mr X claim they will be able to paddle the 217 miles through the Bering Sea in under two weeks’ time. A safety boat will tail them on this leg of their voyage.

“If we capsize in those conditions it will be extremely difficult to flip it back over, and huge waves and hypothermia are a very real threat,” Ryan said.

But he added: “If anyone can do it, it’s us.”

Ryan said the pair are paddling for themselves; not to break records, but to quench their appetite for the ultimate adventure.

“People wanna hear like, ‘oh you’re paddling for breast cancer or you’re paddling for Aids,’ and the reason we we’re paddling is, we’re paddling for us.”

“This is our adventure, and it’s what we want to do with our lives,” Ryan said.

Expecting to paddling anywhere from 20 to 50 miles a day, the pair will sleep in shifts. They say they can store enough food for one hundred days and enough water to last two weeks.

Food supplies of pasta, rice, and Spam will be used as a last resort, he said.

“We will fish every day for crabs, squid and other morsels,” Ryan said.

“Mr X is also bringing his slingshot in case any bird lands on our kayak....we’ll bring a spear gun too.”

The pair have been planning the trip for two years. Relying on internet maps, they say they have ‘90 percent’ of their landing points mapped and have been tirelessly studying advance weather forecasts.

International visa applications, organizing a support vessel for the Bering Sea leg, raising money for their two GPS and marine radios has all taken time.

Earlier this month, the pair dispatched winter clothing and equipment needed to their ‘land support’ contacts in Japan and the Philippines.

They arrived in Phuket four months ago in preparation for their 20-month paddle.

Ryan, who has been kayaking since he was nine-years-old, arrived in Rayong Province in 2005.

Working there as a tour guide and wake board instructor, he met and became close friends with Mr X.

Mr X , an avid kayaker since the age of 14, said pirates and huge waves were a concern, but not a deterrent.

“We will not give up on our journey, no matter what,” he said.

Their kayak Say-Lee, cost US$7,000 and was handmade in Phuket by a Hawaiian craftsman.

“Say-Lee is durable and light yet strong,” Ryan said of the 38-kilogram vessel.

“Fiberglass would be 15 to 20 pounds heavier and we don’t need excess anything on our trip.”

As their departure date draws closer, Ryan and Mr X are preparing themselves both mentally and physically for the trip: Meditating, paddling 15 miles a day and rounding up supplies and a sail rigging system to aid them on their incredible journey.

Ryan and Mr X are still looking for additional sponsors for their trip. So far, John Harris from Chesapeake Light Craft (CLC) Boats and Bennet Bar from the NRS Kayaking Team are official sponsors. The Phuket Gazette is a media sponsor.
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– Fraser Morton
Phuket,Thailand
11:17 local time (GMT +7)
Comment on this story  [There have been 30 comments on this story.]

  Comment 1


I must be getting old: I'm thinking, "Listen to your parents!" This is crazy. Either that or they plan to spend a large percentage of their time sitting on the support boat waiting or recuperating. There are plenty of viable and worthwhile sea trips to endorse; this one is simply unrealistic.
 Posted by Not Possible
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 12:52:20 PM
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  Comment 2


Bravo boys! I hope you keep us posted. Would love to have a giant party waiting in SF!
 Posted by Doretta
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 1:40:37 PM
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  Comment 3


Blimey, these are two very brave men, I wish then Godspeed and look forward to hearing the news on their arrival in California.
 Posted by Rod.
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 2:32:13 PM
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  Comment 4


Any type of sponsor for events of this type should be required to contribute to a Security Bond covering rescue costs. Just like riding a motorcycle without a helmet, the public has to pay the medical damage.
 Posted by Michael M. Arvin
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 3:58:04 PM
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  Comment 5


Wow, good luck to you both, an impressive and ambitious journey. Curious though, how do you sleep in a kayak?!
 Posted by Antony
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 4:05:54 PM
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I must be getting old: I'm thinking, "Listen to your parents!" This is crazy. Either that or they plan to spend a large percentage of their time sitting on the support boat waiting or recuperating. There are plenty of viable and worthwhile sea trips to endorse; this one is simply unrealistic.
Posted by Not Possible Mon, February 1, 2010 - 12:52:20 PM
  Comment 6


I second that. Can't roll their kayak? Capsize in the Bering sea and you've got minutes to live! A journey of this seriousness without self-rescue capabilities is suicidal. Kayak choice: a vacuum-bagged carbon/kevlar/epoxy kayak doesn't necessarily weigh more. Claiming they can carry enough food for 100 days is questionable. Water math: 3 liters of water each/day X 2 weeks = 86 Kg, + the room it takes. That is, if 3 liters per day is sufficient. Save weight; buy a reverse osmosis system. Wanna save more weight?

Get rid of those wooden paddles - go carbon. 20-50 miles per day plus time to fish, seriously? This whole expedition sounds a tad unrealistic and under-planned.
 Posted by Dave Williams
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 4:25:11 PM
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  Comment 7


I wish them the very best of luck. What an endeavour! I hope they keep us posted. Godspeed, and safe journey boys!
 Posted by Beverly Casey
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 4:27:21 PM
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  Comment 8


WOW, two very BRAVE men. These two must be very strong in body and mind. I ask myself, if it's going to take them about 20 months I'm sure they have'nt got 20 months of food on board. What will they eat and drink? All I can say is the very best of LUCK to them.
 Posted by Baz
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 4:43:19 PM
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  Comment 9


"Food supplies of pasta, rice, and Spam." Hmmm, cooking in a kayak = more weight (+ dangerous fuel) and more room taken up in the kayak. Spam - yep, the best weight/calorie food available, NOT. With all of the super lightweight backpacking and alpine mountaineering food on the market, I can't believe they're taking this trio of culinary delights. Better get a longtail to follow you. LOL.
 Posted by Jamie Oliver
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 4:56:55 PM
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  Comment 10


Good on Ya and best of luck. It's nice to see in these days of nanny states and Health and Safety that some people still have a sense of adventure. I agree with Dave that some of their planning seems a bit naive, but what about Shackelton, Oates, Hilary, etc? If they hadn't taken risks they never would have been the men they were. If they die fulfilling their ambitions they have at least tried. No one has a go at guys who row the Altlantic or Pacific, so why be negative towards this adventure as long as it doesn't put others at risk?
 Posted by Mister Ree
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 5:11:06 PM
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  Comment 11


Totally unrealistic to think they can cover 20 to 50 miles per day. It will be ten if they are lucky in this heat. Seat rash and blisters after the first week.
 Posted by Lord Jim
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 5:26:15 PM
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  Comment 12


It`s okay to be young and optimistic, and there is no laws against it. But those two men will never make this journey with a 20 foot kayak, because it's impossible.
 Posted by Sivert Sæterbø
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 5:50:49 PM
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  Comment 13


Is their journey displayed on a map somewhere? I have a fold boat, a Klepper kayak and dream of similar trips. Perhaps I'll go out to Nai harn to watch.
 Posted by Ken
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 5:52:38 PM
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Good on Ya and best of luck. It's nice to see in these days of nanny states and Health and Safety that some people still have a sense of adventure. I agree with Dave that some of their planning seems a bit naive, but what about Shackelton, Oates, Hilary, etc? If they hadn't taken risks they never would have been the men they were. If they die fulfilling their ambitions they have at least tried. No one has a go at guys who row the Altlantic or Pacific, so why be negative towards this adventure as long as it doesn't put others at risk?
Posted by Mister Ree Mon, February 1, 2010 - 5:11:06 PM
  Comment 14


My negativity is because I don't want other adventurers to risk their lives without fully thinking through the possibilities. Risk assessment here seems to have taken a back seat. I don't see this as a feasible journey. They are putting the potential rescuers at risk, so it's not simply an 'up to you' scenario. If they have to be rescued due to poor planning, they should pay for it.

During the expeditions you named, there wasn't the abundance of information available on risk, proper planning, evacuation protocol, etc. There is a huge difference between a sense of adventure and blind faith in one's abilities. This is seemingly the latter. Read about Ed Gilette's trip.
 Posted by Dave Williams
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 7:17:23 PM
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  Comment 15


If they try Australia, I believe they can do it, but crossing the BERING SEA in a kayak? Get real, boys; its damn cold out there and you got 2-5 mins in this ice cold water if you capsize. Has Mr. X ever seen temperatures lower than +10 Celsius? He should sleep two nights in a cold storage and he will know what I mean. Anyway, GOOD LUCK!
 Posted by moskito
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 7:22:30 PM
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  Comment 16


I'm sorry, but paddling around Naiharn is nothing like paddling into 15-20ft breaking seas at night in arctic waters (or any sea). Why not start with a quick trip to Singapore and back? At least some practice dodging container ships.
 Posted by kev
Mon, February 1, 2010 - 11:09:39 PM
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  Comment 17


I wonder if Mr. X has been in cold weather before? The Bering Sea is not Nai Harn Beach. During the summer, you can have winter temperatures. If you have to go in the water without an immersion suit, you have less than 5 minutes before hypothermia sets in. I hope their parents will see them again.
 Posted by Randy Hodge
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 1:34:33 AM
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  Comment 18


Choke dee, fellas. Whether you make it or not (I hope you do), at least you're giving it a shot.
 Posted by Ynot
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 5:09:00 AM
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  Comment 19


Will they be sharing the adventure on the Internet? Do they have a website?
 Posted by Rob
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 7:16:13 AM
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  Comment 20


It's good to see some positive news in the Phuket Gazette for a change... as crazy as it seems. Well done, guys; hope you make it!
 Posted by Willy
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 8:05:54 AM
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I must be getting old: I'm thinking, "Listen to your parents!" This is crazy. Either that or they plan to spend a large percentage of their time sitting on the support boat waiting or recuperating. There are plenty of viable and worthwhile sea trips to endorse; this one is simply unrealistic.
Posted by Not Possible Mon, February 1, 2010 - 12:52:20 PM
I second that. Can't roll their kayak? Capsize in the Bering sea and you've got minutes to live! A journey of this seriousness without self-rescue capabilities is suicidal. Kayak choice: a vacuum-bagged carbon/kevlar/epoxy kayak doesn't necessarily weigh more. Claiming they can carry enough food for 100 days is questionable. Water math: 3 liters of water each/day X 2 weeks = 86 Kg, + the room it takes. That is, if 3 liters per day is sufficient. Save weight; buy a reverse osmosis system. Wanna save more weight?

Get rid of those wooden paddles - go carbon. 20-50 miles per day plus time to fish, seriously? This whole expedition sounds a tad unrealistic and under-planned.
Posted by Dave Williams Mon, February 1, 2010 - 4:25:11 PM
  Comment 21


Gotta' agree with you, Dave. That cedar strip/fiberglass boat will splinter at the first impact and be difficult to patch, the paddles the same. Carbon fiber is the way to go - light weight and strong. Get a reverse osmosis water filter and pack the boat with duct tape (you can repair anything with duct tape!) with the space that is saved.

Kayaks can be self rescued in open water and I hope they practice a lot. Dry suits are de rigeur for cold water paddling. Planned for two years? I hope it has been proper planning, but from the choice of equipment it doesn't look like it. Even so, I wish them luck and I hope their insurance is paid up.
 Posted by William T Smith
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 8:55:52 AM
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  Comment 23


I think an appropriate sponsor would be a funeral home. Bering Sea... 20' kayak... How and why does this become a "dream"? Boys in their 20's really do think they know it all.
 Posted by mark
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 10:54:49 AM
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  Comment 24


US$ 7,000? That piece of wood? Only 20 ft. Good luck. Like some have said... way under-planned. I have worked more than 25 years at sea and been in every single sea on the globe. 20 ft? Well, no chance at all.

Also thinking of 20 ft total length. Waist down each person is about 3 ft. = 6 ft already. Only 14 ft left - not much space for all that food, even if some of it were placed on deck. But remember: it is kayak, so a heavy load cannot be placed on deck as the boat will capsize in no time.
 Posted by Marco
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 11:08:16 AM
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  Comment 25


There are too many holes in their logic. This is not the same as safe, well-planned adventure; it's borderline irresponsible. Do they have a 'risk assessment'? Being a 30+ year paddling veteran, I'd like to see it. And, who is going to pay for their rescue? If they get in trouble, other people will have to risk their lives to rescue them!

Furthermore, I predict that the sores they'll get from sitting so long, or the lack of water or food, will stop their trip. It's not that I want them to fail, but they don't seem to have thought everything through. Get some help lads! You're biting off more than you can likely chew.
 Posted by Dave Williams
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 12:58:00 PM
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  Comment 26


Please, Phuket Gazette, will you stop printing this rubbish and give us some real news?
 Posted by Lord Jim
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 2:06:40 PM
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  Comment 27


Now, every time I think of these guys I am reminded of the movie "Jaws". Robert Shaw played Captain "Quint". He sang a verse from the song "Spanish Ladies". The verse goes: "And perhaps we shall never more see you again."
 Posted by Randy Hodge
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 3:23:42 PM
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  Comment 28


My god, can you imagine the arguments they will have over the next 20 months? Being stuck in a canoe with someone day in day and day out for that long would be enough to drive anyone completely bonkers!
 Posted by Matthew
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 3:48:55 PM
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  Comment 29


Yeah, Good Luck with that boys!
 Posted by Davey Boy
Tue, February 2, 2010 - 6:19:35 PM
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  Comment 33


Many many comments and concerns, but it's all up to you guys. Wish you the best and luck. At least you have planned to make your dream come true.
 Posted by Ford
Mon, February 15, 2010 - 2:53:35 PM
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  Comment 35


I'm very envious. Great Idea. I'm pulling for you guys the whole way. Never give up!
 Posted by Daniel
Sat, Mar 6, 2010 - 12:54:39 AM
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