Jim Mee is kayaking laterally across the British Isles. On June 1, the 47-year-old began paddling from the east coast of England, bound for the west coast of Ireland, 1,000km away.
Map: Rat Race Adventures
Starting from the Humber Estuary in early June, he hopes to cover the route in about three weeks. It weaves together inland waterways, tidal rivers, canal systems, estuaries, and stretches of open sea, including 100km across the notoriously tricky Irish Sea.
“It will involve some really classic paddling stages, including the absolute blue riband of sea paddling in this country –- a full crossing of the Irish Sea from Holyhead to Dublin,” Mee told The York Press.
Photo: Rat Race Adventures
Mee founded Rat Race Adventures, a tour company that designs one-of-a-kind outdoor challenges for its participants. Previously, Mee has cycled coast to coast in the Andes and across frozen lakes in Mongolia, and has traveled to 86 countries. He also wants to show people that adventure doesn’t always require far-flung destinations.
“What I also love about this challenge is that it takes place in my backyard,” he says.
Five-year plan
Mee has been planning this for five years, carefully mapping a continuous route down the rivers and canals that crisscross the country. On land, a small safety team helps him resupply and updates him on conditions. Each leg of the journey requires careful timing to align with tides and favorable weather.
The conditions have become more challenging as he moved across Wales and toward the coast of Ireland. Two weeks in, he has just completed his crossing of the Irish Sea. Though most of his route is solo, a group of experienced sea kayakers joined him for the 100km crossing. He has provided few updates on his journey since starting, but you can follow his progress here.
