And so it begins...

This is the first time Keirron and I touched base in Fall, 2006, and the guy already had a lot done for our trip next year:

----

Hi Jeff

Hope things are going well, thought I’d touch bases and see what happening with you, and fill you in on how things are progressing this end…

The May expedition is up on our website;

http://www.adventurousexperiences.com/expeditions.htm

and also on my profile page on the SKUK site,

http://www.seakayakinguk.com/sponsored/keirron_tastagh.shtml

We’ll be getting some coverage on the SKUK newsletter shortly, also on the expedition pages of the site, going live December time, and other related exposure from that side of things.

Did you manage to contact anyone you know who reps outdoor gear?

And are you in touch with your friend from Kokatat, or shall I get going on that one?

So far we have a Triton at our disposal, confirmed, and still working on getting some financial aid.

Shawna and Leon offered the use of their charts, last time I spoke to them.

I’ve also approached Expeditionfoods.com, to see what the chances are of them sorting us out on that side of things.

Hope your well, and paddling plenty.

Regards

Keirron

Keirron Tastagh

Adventurous Experiences

www.adventurousexperiences.com

Here's our success to date while pursuing an ISP to host the blog of this trip ... look promising - and with a brilliant name to boot!

Subject: Vancouver Island Record - FROG Follow Up

www.British Columbia Travel Planning Websites

80+ BC Communities

14+ Networked BC Websites
#1 Referring Travel Planning Website Network in BC, Canada

Good Day Jeff,

Your adventure sounds facinating and, since we have explored many parts of Vancouver Island by land and sea, we know what fun is in store for you. We wish you a very successful tour filled with wildlife, remote wilderness memories and record breaking moments. Your record setting excursion has peeked our interest and has been discussed by all of us at the FROG POND (Head office) resulting in some ideas, questions and clarification please:

1. For exchange of bandwidth, you are requesting access to a section of our network to post your trip?
1. Would our website be the main sponsoring website for all to access? For example: www.BCeh.com/Island_Kayak_Record
2. Would this be the referrred website when promoting your trip through the media for people to refer to for updates?
3. Would you be posting a photo gallery, journal entries and/or video at any time during your trip when you have internet access? Or just journal entries.
4. We would consider designing a graphic featured section for you online and promote it on our websites depending on your needs?
2. Part of your exposure through our website, could include meeting up with you to take some photos and videos at the start and finish line?
3. Sponsoring your trip … I am so jealous …. Would it be possible to place a BCeh.com logo on your kayak, paddle, etc?

We wish Keirron and yourself every success and a safe trip circumnavigating Vancouver Island.

Cheers and See You Online eh!

Greg Girard (Partner – Owner)

FROG Internet
PO Box 3663
Courtenay, BC, Canada
V9N 7P1

www.leaphere.com (company website)
www.BCeh.com (travel planning website network)
www.BCeh.ca (real estate website network)

“It’s in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

Here's the November 30 news from Keirron - sounds like we've truly got a head of steam!

RE: picking up pace

Jeff,

I've secured all sorts of kit now.

Seems Johnson Outdoors own all sorts of other companies, such as Silva, and many tent and kayak companies. I've asked for a whole load of Silva gear, it's awesome.

Also I've asked for a tent and bags, but they are nothing like as light as the Mountain Hardware, or quite as high quality, so we'll probably end up paying for a prodeal, but with the exposure we're getting I'd like to push for full sponsorship! Re: Mountain Hardware: 2nd Dimension sleeping bags look good; Airjet 2 looks mighty good too!

Think we have full sponsorship from Kokatat so I'm asking for drysuit, PFD, and hydration system each, will hear back from them again shortly no doubt.

Since kit sponsorship seems to be forthcoming now we're doing something about it, I'm trying not to spend on anything unless we have to [jbn: travel costs, particularly for Keirron, are still expensive]. Think we have some competition in the way of my two assistants, who its looks like will be joining us out there. Both are 19 - great paddlers and funny lads. I've organised a kayak for them, and just the thought of being thrashed by my own lads will ensure I train harder, and paddle harder on our trip!

Shawna and Leon of Body, Boat, Blade are very keen to help, so I'm aiming to get all gear sent to them as a base, set up there hopefully on the 9th and leave 10th May, just checking flights will fit in with that. Leon's taken those days off to ferry us round and help all he can. Leon is also contacting expedition food retailers for sponsorship of food. I'm trying this end still for the travel and logistics costs.

I'm off to N Wales next weekend for a sponsored paddlers meeting, and Justine Curgenven will be filming a few of us in Tritons out in the races
for her next video, so hopefully get increased publicity there!

I've got a set of (Lendel) wings arriving at Christmas, and a set of (Lendel) Kinetic touring 'flats' for when I'm worn out or the seas are huge and frightening!

Am working on getting you the same, will need some sizes for that too. Better get on with more stuff, so hear from you soon,

Keirron

Keirron Tastagh
Adventurous Experiences

www.adventurousexperiences.com

Deception Pass Dash

Karl and I, always the antagonists, baited each other nearly to the starting gate of this race back on Sunday, 12/3, even betting a fancy Trader Joe's limited release beer to the winner.

Then we spoiled all the suspense by paddling together. In a tandem. Details, including results:
http://seattleraftandkayak.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.display&page_id=72

It was my first tour in the NDK Triton, and pretty sweet one at that! Thanks Jon for the boat, and thanks to the surfskis for providing ... well, a small amount of draft for such a big boat.

First test in training for the May, 2007, Vancouver Island Circumnav...