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The Inside Passage . Seattle , Washington – Skagway , Alaska
The Inside Passage is a sea kayaking pilgrimage beginning in Seattle , Washington , skirting along the entirety of Canada ’ s west coast , via the inside of Vancouver Island , to Skagway , Alaska , USA .
The history of this route began during the 1898 Klondike gold rush . Gold was being transported down the Yukon River and ending up in the coastal town of Skagway . Ships were able to sail up during the calmer summer months , but many struggled with the brutal winter conditions .
Although following the western side of Vancouver Island allowed for more straightforward navigation , it was far too rough for the small craft to make this trip during the winter . Instead , prospectors opted to go inside . The navigation was difficult and the route hazardous , with specific tidal flows reaching speeds of over 15 knots . This would create whirlpools , boils and standing waves between the island squeezes . But the appeal of gold was enough for many seamen to take their chances , which eventually lead to this route being known as the ‘ Inside Passage ’ and Skagway becoming its northern terminus .
Eventually , the larger ships also started using this route , and it has now become a major shipping lane .
The conditions are such that even the most experienced kayakers might think twice about getting on the water
But more importantly for us , it is a spectacular escape into the wilderness and an ideal North American expedition for sea kayakers . Some opt for taking it on section by section ; others go for the whole route in one large expedition .
My expedition partner Nuka and I were set to take on this epic journey in 2020 . We had spent the year planning a three-month route and would document the trip with a YouTube webisode series . You probably know where this is going . We made the tough call to postpone the trip and are excitedly looking forward to the day when the world opens up , and we can go for it . You can follow our journey on For Fun ’ s Sake Expedition (
https :// ffs-expedition . com ) @ ffs _ expedition .
Cornwall , England
Every stretch of coast along Cornwall , the most south-westerly point of England , will be filled with interest and fascination . Raging winter storms batter the island nation , creating caves , nooks , and crannies that kayaks can explore . Amongst them , you will find sea creatures big and small .
Cornwall is a unique place to paddle as it offers so much . In the summer , on occasion , the sea can be as flat as a lake . With dolphins porpoising in the distance and the light hitting the water just right , it can rival even the most tranquil of Mediterranean mornings . The very next day , the conditions are such that even the most experienced kayakers might think twice about getting on the water . It is this polarisation that allows paddlers to experience all the elements of kayaking : keeping one ’ s skills sharp with tide races , rock features and large swells ; to then be rewarded with sunshine and sandy beaches .
Every coastal town holds its own history – stories of wizards and witches , piracy and smuggling . There are excellent resources and guidebooks online to plan your trip , helping you decide precisely which area is suitable depending on your goals . Alternatively , Cornish Rock Tors (
www . cornishrocktors . com ) is set up on the north coast and run tours for all ability levels . They are tucked away in a small fishing village , in a spot so perfect that you can find everything I just mentioned , all in one day .