The Bass Strait Cancer Challenge was a remarkable journey filled with camaraderie, adventure, and a sense of accomplishment. Five individuals embarked on a paddling expedition across Bass Strait, facing various challenges and experiencing the beauty of the Australian coastline.
“Peter was not quite like other boys; but he was afraid at last. A tremor ran through him, like a shudder passing over the sea; but on the sea one shudder follows another till there are hundreds of them, and Peter felt just the one. Next moment he was standing erect on the rock again, with that smile on his face and a drum beating within him.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Paddlers: Jack Slykhuis, Mark Slykhuis, Tim Altman, Peter Bland, and Drew Ginn
Boats: Stellar S18S from Stellar Kayaks Australia
Embarking on the Bass Strait Cancer Challenge was an incredible journey filled with camaraderie, challenges, and breathtaking landscapes. Join us as we share our unforgettable experience. #BassStraitCancerChallenge #Adventure #Teamwork
Fundraising Link: https://tourdecure.grassrootz.com/community-fundraiser/paddling-bass-strait-challenge
Supporting: Tour de Cure Australia
Day 1: 24.7km Sealers Cove
Day 2: 52.8km Hogan Island
Day 3: 41.3km Erith Island
Day 4 & 5: Lay Days 8.6km & 5.4km Erith and Deal Islands (The Kent Group)
Day 6: 68.5km Roydon Island (Flinders Island)
Day 7: 32.7km Whitemark (Flinders Island)
Day 8: 14.9km Trousers Beach then Hike 14.5km up Strzelecki Mountain (Flinders Island)
Day 9: 37km Preservation Island via Cape Barron
Day 10: 53.8km Tomahawk Township (Tasmania)
Total: 288.7km for the crossing
Here’s a brief account of our journey:
Final day banter
The final 50km began with lighthearted banter as we prepared for our last leg of this experience. Despite the playful exchanges, there was an underlying sense of excitement and determination to conquer the challenge ahead, 50km and largely downwind with tide and currents. This would mark the completion of our 288.7km journey across Bass Strait.
Navigating Wilson’s Prom and Hogan Island
We paddled from Tidal River, Wilson’s Prom, to Hogan Island, facing a few challenges and covering long distances.
Despite the initial adjustments to our plan, we found joy in the experience and the sense of accomplishment as we navigated through the long days, initial hot conditions and what ended up being mostly head wind conditions.
“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.”
“I don’t much care where –”
“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”
Challenges and Triumphs at Ereth Island
We encountered a real mix of strong winds, moderate and even days of calm, the challenging currents required plenty of planning and adaptability, and technical paddling conditions due to being on the ocean and when near various Islands where we experiences lots of chop and bounce back waves from the cliffs or rock formation.
As we made our way to Erith Island we really started to work out the best way to manage the group dynamic on the water to keep us all together. The breathtaking views and the camaraderie made the journey memorable and rewarding.
Reflections on Teamwork and Personal Growth
Throughout the adventure, while reflecting on the significance of teamwork, personal growth, and the bond we shared, it was noticeable how critical teamwork was along with how much each of us were revealing in the journey from a personal growth and humbling experience.
“Being soaked alone is cold. Being soaked with your best friend is an adventure.”
― Emily Wing Smith, Back When You Were Easier to Love
Despite the physical and mental challenges, we found strength in each other and celebrated the sense of accomplishment as we tackled each obstacle together.
The Final Leg and Fundraising Efforts
As we approached the final leg of our journey, we reflected on our fundraising efforts for cancer research and the impact they hoped to make. With a goal to raise funds and awareness, they pushed forward with determination and a sense of purpose.
We took time to capture and audio reflection together and it was wonderful to hear everyones perspectives on each stage and day, along with the highlights and the challenges. We all agreed it was a special adventure full of purpose and deep reflection, joy and laughter. It was also amazing to finish off with our final day and 50kms that came with amazing downwind (tailwind) conditions. It was like a reward for all the effort and work to cover 240kms by that last day.
Looking Ahead and Celebrating Achievements
As we prepared for the final stretch of their expedition, we looked forward to the challenges and the sense of accomplishment that awaited. With a spirit of camaraderie and determination, we anticipated the final leg of our journey with a mix of excitement and reflection.
The Bass Strait Cancer Challenge was not just an adventure, but a testament to the power of working together, resilience, and human spirit. Our journey was a celebration of connection, adventure, and the pursuit and support of a meaningful cause.
As we set our sights on the final leg, we remained steadfast in our commitment finishing the trip off well and continuing to look after each other.
The journey of the Bass Strait Cancer Challenge was a remarkable experience and as we quietly celebrated on the beach in Tasmania, Thomahawk. I think we each just marvelled at the magnitude of what we had experienced together and the nodding, smiles and remarks all reflected it’s significance and meaning.
Final Thoughts
I have to say a huge thanks to everyone who has supported our fundraising and the journey. It’s hard to comprehend but I have tried on a few occasions to reflect on the experience. I have found it difficult to put into words, and probably more obvious I have struggled to hone in on any specific moments or insights as the entire journey has done something surprising which is still percolating and still yet to surface into an clear definitions.
“In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.”
― Ansel Adams
What I am trying to say is I can’t believe we did it and yet I know we did. Its just, satisfying to know the sense of team, of adventure, of being in awe of nature and in the human spirit is expansive vertically and horizontally. I actually don’t comprehend it and honestly struggling to do so. The 8 days of paddling, the 10 days of the journey, the 5 amazing people, the Bass Strait mystery and beauty, the logistics, the planning, the fatigue, the joy, its just all quiet overwhelming, and does just create this humbling embrace.
Thanks again to everyone for the support as of today we’ve raised over $14,000 for Tour de Cure to help #beatcancer.
Thanks to Sam Mitchell from Stellar Kayaks Australia as this was a significant change we made 3 weeks before the trip. Sourcing 4 new boats, Stellar S128S from Sam and getting them to Melbourne was a scramble. I am hugely grateful that we could pull this off as it really made the paddle for the whole group more possible and enjoyable. https://stellarkayaks.com.au/
Fundraising Link: https://tourdecure.grassrootz.com/community-fundraiser/paddling-bass-strait-challenge
Further image gallery from the trip
DREW GINN 
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