Latest updates from our preparation and experiences.
There’s a temptation, when planning something like **Britain by Kayak**, to look for the *perfect* bit of kit. It doesn’t exist. What matters is something far more important: **a system with no single point of failure.**
My mate, Adam, who will be my at home "Anchor" said he wouldn't be able to sleep until he knew I could look after myself, so he set a self-rescue test on a very cold but thankfully, calm November day. See the video to see the fun I had!
I’m preparing for Britain by Kayak 2026, a long sea-kayak expedition where success depends on durability, resilience, and repeatability, not necessarily achieving peak fitness. After pushing too hard in autumn 2025 — leading to illness, injury, and a sustained HRV crash — I reset my approach. I now use a deliberately simple logging system (daily metrics plus weekly Garmin screenshots) and a sceptical training audit to assess risk, not justify effort. Technology, in the form of AI, supports the process, but restraint and honest judgement are hopefully guiding my decisions as I prepare.
My planned approach to nutrition for my multi-month expedition: Britain by Kayak 2026: - I intend to use a hybrid, fat-adapted strategy: fat as my base fuel, carbs used strategically, and protein prioritised for recovery. - My goal is metabolic flexibility: switching between fat and carbs depending on what the day demands. - I'll use fast carbs mainly during or after hard work, not as constant background food. - I may sometimes use time-restricted eating as a tool, but never at the expense of warmth, recovery, or safety. - I'll plan for real-world food availability, not idealised diets. - I'll prioritise gut health, fibre, and immune resilience because illness is a bigger threat than hunger. - My main rule: don't underfuel.
Sea kayaking around mainland Britain - Why this, why now, what next? My inspiration, circumstances and reasons plus a self assessment to test feasibility.
