Marcus Demuth Sets New Speed Record in Nordkapp

Valley Sea Kayaks sponsored sea kayaker Marcus Demuth finished his solo circumnavigation of Great Britain on Sunday, July 25, 2010 in 80 days, a record for a solo circumnavigation, 7 days faster than Nigel Dennis and Paul Caffyn's circumnavigation in 1980, and matching the existing record circumnavigation of a trio of 3 British paddlers in 2005.

 “The choice to use our Nordkapp was simple," said Peter Orton, Valley Sea Kayaks’ co-owner and designer. "The original Nordkapp used by Nigel and Paul was the fastest and most seaworthy expedition kayak available at the time. It has evolved quite a bit since then and the latest Nordkapp model is still the fastest and most seaworthy expedition kayak available today.  Marcus’ trip needed a kayak like this to succeed.”

Marcus said when he finished “The expedition started with two days off due to gale force winds only four hours after launch on May 6th in Skegness, on the East Coast of Great Britain. However, the weather improved quickly and provided most of the time the low winds a UK circumnavigation needs in order to be successful. Since 2005, all 12 attempts to circumnavigate the UK by kayak proved unsuccessful due to bad weather. Thus, despite being tired and having a sore bum, I am relieved that the 2,540 Mile expedition is complete.”

Marcus likes to thank the countless people he met along the way who helped to make this expedition to make a success, and who brightened his day after a rainy day, or a day full of headwinds, by opening their homes and refrigerators.

www.marcusdemuth.com

www.valleyseakayaks.com