Solo Kayaker Meets Round NZ Lifeguards

Tauranga kayaker Tim Taylor – part way through his bid to circumnavigate New Zealand by sea kayak – has met up on the water with lifeguards doing the same thing under power.

Tim Taylor – who’s attempting the first solo, continuous paddle around New Zealand - met the six lifeguards making the first circumnavigation in inflatable rescue boats (IRB) – off the coast off the South Island.

The lifeguards are undertaking their voyage to celebrate the centenary of Surf Life Saving, in a series of 32 legs.

The lifeguards encountered Tim on their leg from Porpoise Bay to St Clair in Dunedin. They are travelling in an opposite direction to the kayaker – travelling anti-clockwise around the country, while he is going clockwise, heading down the East coast of the South Island before striking out across Foveaux Strait towards Stewart Island.

A Surf Life Saving New Zealand spokesperson says the kayaker was doing great when the lifeguards met up with him, “ full of energy and keen for a chat.”

Tim Taylor had resumed his epic paddle yesterday after a week stuck ashore in Dunedin because of bad weather. Josh Sullivan from Otago Canoe & Kayak paddled with Tim until they reached St Kilda, where Tim continued on to Brighton Beach to complete a 56 km day.

Tim Taylor is about two months into his voyage after setting out from Waimarino Adventure Park on the Wairoa River in Tauranga, on November 27th .

ENDS