There are many ways to celebrate one's 60th birthday, but kayaker Richard Barnes wanted to do it in style — a solo voyage across the Tasman Sea.
Having participated in some of the longest Australian and International canoeing races, Mr Barnes says "a sense of adventure" defines his character.
"Canoeing has been the outlet of that adventure for 40-odd years now and I have done the Hawkesbury classic many times and went over to Alaska and did a 1,600-kilometre event over there," Mr Barnes says.
"I asked myself, 'Where to next?' and I hadn't tried the ocean yet, so it seemed like a good place to head."
For his challenge, the Narrabeen man set off on November 15, 2021 to "cross the ditch" from Sydney Harbour to New Zealand on a kayak.
The journey would end back in Sydney after 75 days, New Zealand still a distant goal after Mr Barnes paddled into a serious problem.
"My family and friends certainly thought I was mad, but when they realised how much it meant to me, they became very supportive," he says.
A kayak filled with supplies
Because oceanic kayaks are uncommon and not available for retail, Mr Barnes custom-built his own vessel named Blue Moon.
"It is a bigger kind of kayak featuring a cockpit, where you paddle, and a place with enough space for you to live inside the kayak," he says.
A structural engineer by trade, the canoeing enthusiast found his skill set "came in handy".
"An appeal of doing this was going into the unknown and solving those problems," he says.
"I was thinking in an engineering sort of way to find the solutions to a myriad of problems to prevent my kayak from breaking in half.
"What is unique about my design is that there is a vestibule, which allows a transition that is semi-wet, where you can change from wet clothes into dry ones and cook in there before getting to the dry area for sleep."
Mr Barnes packed 200 kilograms of food that did not require refrigeration and had a minimum expiry of three months.
"My staples were Weet-Bix for breakfast, fishy things such as tuna and sardines, canned ham, corn beef and chicken for lunch and dehydrated meals such as pasta and couscous for dinner, as well as dessert treats," he says.
The remaining storage space in both ends of Blue Moon was used for safety equipment such as spare paddles.
'Amazing' support along the way
Many fellow paddlers were intrigued by his journey as he headed off from Sydney to the Mid North Coast before heading eastwards.
"It was probably the highlight of the trip, the amazing support from the canoeing community and others," he says.
"So many people were interested in the trip, keeping track of my progress through Facebook and meeting me at every opportunity."
The kayaker says wildlife was around to give him "moral support" and he did not feel "alone".
"Dolphins and seals were as inquisitive as ever and cruising by for many looks," he says.
"All the birds just came along as though I was one of them, unperturbed by our difference.
The 'most thrilling part'
Mr Barnes says one of the biggest challenges of the journey was motivating himself to get up and paddle day in, day out.
"The winds and current were much stronger than I was, so at some stage, I felt very much like flotsam being washed to where nature wanted to take me," Mr Barnes says.
On the 50th day, the kayaker faced the biggest challenge of his voyage — Cyclone Seth.
"Emerging from the rain, the first clear view was the size of the swell — at least 5 metres from crest to trough," he said.
"The white tops did sometimes smack into the side of Blue Moon for a punch-and-roll attack.
"I had half a cockpit full of waves, so that had to be bailed out and my fastest bailing method was using a milk container with the bottom cut off."
Following advice from land support, Mr Barnes decided to change course and return to the mainland to evade being caught in the eye of the weather event.
In hindsight, he described the experience of "fighting for his life" as "the most thrilling part" of the trip, despite having to call time just off the coast of Lord Howe Island.
"I felt proud that Blue Moon managed to cope with it all and made it back to shore after 75 days of paddling."
What's next?
Mr Barnes stepped ashore on February 7, 2022 with "a sense of disappointment" over not reaching his destination.
He says it only took him two weeks back on dry land to plan for a second attempt.
"A second try will make me feel alive again, and Blue Moon will set out on part two of the quest to cross the Tasman Sea next summer," he says.
"This new quest will have a new starting point somewhere in Tasmania to make the most of prevailing westerlies to help blow me toward New Zealand."
