Britain by Kayak
I’m Ian, a lifelong kayaker and outdoorsy guy who finds calm on the water, in the mountains and joy in any journey. "Goosejuice" stems from one of Dr Seuss’ poems that I read to my kids: ("Goosejuice, not Moosejuice, is good for the goose..."). It's fun but links to my love of these wild birds that seem to effortlessly transition from land to water to the air and cross continents to complete amazing journeys. If I came back as an animal my choice would be a goose but in the meantime I will use what I’ve got, look after it and keep moving forward to the next adventure. You can follow my journeys and preparations for them, here.
When I’m not planning the next journey, you’ll find me teaching newcomers, swapping campfire stories, or building and fixing stuff, just right for the blog. Thanks for coming aboard—there’s plenty more to explore.
Project 2026: Britain by Kayak
Circumnavigating mainland coast of Britain by kayak is an ambitious and exhilarating adventure that combines physical endurance, navigational skills, and a deep connection with nature. Paddling through diverse coastal landscapes, from rugged cliffs to serene beaches, all while meeting people who live and work along or just visit our coastline. This trip offers a unique perspective on the rich maritime heritage and stunning beauty of our island nation.
I retired from my role as Director of Sport and Outdoor Education in August 2025. My first "project" was to complete an 1800km bike ride through France and Northern Spain with my wife which took most of September. For project 2, I am now planning to do "Britain by Kayak - 2026": a solo, (mostly) unsupported sea kayak journey around mainland Britain. It is a 4000km journey that could take many months for me to complete, largely dictated by body, mind and weather! I would like to complete this in one single continuous journey but I have to be realistic that completing it in stages may be a more likely. As I approach 60, recovery and health issues may present bigger challenges than I appreciate. Indeed, there is no certainty that I will complete it at all, but that is the point of trying, after-all, adventure only really happens when the outcome is unknown!
I will be attempting to raise funds for two charities along the way: Surfers Against Sewage, as I am appalled about how our coastal and inland waters have been neglected and wilfully polluted over the years and Movember, because of the terrific work they do to combat prostate and testicular cancer and support men's mental health and suicide prevention.
Through this website and my social media channels, I will share my planning and preparations including physical, psychological, equipment, navigation, communications, nutrition, resources and networking.
I would love to hear from you, either to share your experiences or offer advice and support.
Latest updates from our preparation and experiences
No one app does everything a sea kayaker needs. This blog introduces the pros/cons of some apps (there are more) and how this can feed into a decision making system. Refer also to Blog 9 - Passage Planning
Here's the sheet I use to plan and evaluate each day, aiding my decision making.
Spain, surf, mistakes, and the shift from “can I do it?” to “should I do it?”