Circumnavigation of Sri Lanka by kayak cut short by tropical cyclone

Friday, 24 January 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Two Australian sea kayakers, attempting the first ever planned circumnavigation of Sri Lanka by kayak, were forced to cut their voyage short near Mullaitivu because of tropical cyclone conditions. Tropical Cyclone One (01B) is causing heavy rains and winds in the north and east of the island, leading the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to advise people living within 100 metres of the coastal belt in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi to move to safer areas.

Ian Pexton and David Rowlands, the two sea kayakers in question, began their expedition around the island on 13 December, 2013, setting off from Mount Lavinia and proceeding clockwise. They had been planning on completing the 1,200 kilometre circumnavigation of Sri Lanka in about three weeks before unforeseeable weather conditions intervened. Pexton expressed his disappointment but was also quick to thank the Sri Lankans they met during landfalls, as well as the Sri Lankan authorities, for their help. “We were attempting an unprecedented journey, one with many potential risks, and while we are naturally disappointed that it had to end like this, we are also heartened by the incredible support that we received throughout,” Pexton said. Pexton and Rowlands are veterans of many sea kayaking expeditions, with over 35 years of combined kayaking experience, and took the decision to call off the journey based on reliable meteorological information that the duo received after making landfall in Challai, Mullaitivu. The two kayakers then contacted the nearby Army base, where they secured a lorry to transport their equipment back to Kandy and then to Colombo. Pexton emphasised that “at no point were we under any sort of danger or deprivation”. He stated: “Although we take risks, they are always calculated, and after an assessment of the situation, we realised that it would be wiser to end the journey early.”

The voyage was monitored from land by Borderlands, one of the premier adventure tourism and training companies in the region. The two kayakers’ gear, including modern kayaks, up-to-date safety equipment, and the toughest communication gear, was provided by the Edge Outfitters, a Borderlands sister company. Rowlands stated that their gear was “tested by the incredible weather conditions and passed with flying colours, which is a tribute to the quality and professionalism of Borderlands and the Edge Outfitters.” Borderlands (Sri Lanka) Managing Director Wade Campbell said that the company has already begun making plans for a fresh circumnavigation expedition to be attempted within the year. Noting that Borderlands is driven by a passion for pushing past the boundaries of what is thought possible, Campbell said: “Setbacks like these are only temporary and serve only to strengthen our resolve to set the standard for adventure sports in Sri Lanka.”