Charity trip gaining speed again

It's been a while since we've posted anything. I've been back in the UK seeing family and Scott's been on a Bali surf trip so we haven't spoken in a bit. Now that we're both back in the country it's time to start ramping up the campaign. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia has given us official approval now on using their logo and support so we're going to meet soon and work out next steps. Hopefully we'll be able to work together over the next few months to spread the word and start raising funds.

It's amazing how when you make the first few steps on an idea with good intention, people respond so well and we've had a lot of people saying that they'd be willing and able to help. Bruce from Pittarak kayaks is going to give us his advice on the coastline, shark hangouts and any rips that'll set us on a course to New Zealand after the Ditch crossing boys. We also had some fantastic news from Ian at Meridian Kayaks who is actually in the process of making a double kayak that he says we can use for the trip! The guy's a legend and without his help we'd be attempting the journey in a bath tub. He's even putting a rush job on production of the prototype to make sure it gets completed in time. He's promised to include a beer fridge and waterproof ipod speakers in the design, so hopefully the coast guard will hear are merry singing each day and carols at Christmas.

There's a couple of things we're doing to try and make the trip slightly safer and a little more achievable considering that we're currently more at home in a client meeting than a kayak. Firstly I've booked us into a two day ocean kayaking course next weekend down at Jervis Bay Kayaks so that we can learn how to paddle in a straight line, not sink and get back in if we do capsize. The second is get into some mid week training. Guy Leech (Australia's Mr Fitness and celebrity Iron Man) is also a supporter of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and runs paddle training sessions round the corner in Manly, so we're going to start getting up earlier and getting onto the water before work. I used to do his PR so I'd hope he takes it easy on us.

More consistent updates to follow. We're still looking for company sponsors and equipment (clothing, EPIRBS, tough laptop) so if you or someone you know can help, please let us know and pass on this blog address. I'm going to try and make contact with the Manly Daily tomorrow.

Rob