Synopses & Reviews
In this epic tale of sea-kayaking adventure, award-winning author Chris Duff places readers in the cockpit of his 18-foot kayak and lets them experience the full power and beauty of the South Pacific Ocean and the wild energy of the Tasman Sea as it thunders onto New Zealand's uninhabited west coast. Not just an account of human physical endurance and determination to attempt what had only been accomplished once before, this exquisitely written narrative reveals the philosophical and psychological life of a man who has chosen the sea as the master to sit before and to learn from. The intense and often terrifying sea journey is balanced by serendipitous meetings along the way with friendly New Zealanders and with the diverse wildlife of this tiny and remote island country.
Southern Exposure is a force of writing that will captivate the armchair adventurer as well as the seasoned ocean traveler.
Review
"Chris takes us on an intimate journey . . . . He explores not only some of the most challenging coastline in the world, but also the inner joys and torment of the long distance solo paddler . . . a beautifully written and compelling read."
--John Dowd, author of Sea Kayaking: A Manual for Long-Distance Touring
Synopsis
In this epic tale of sea-kayaking adventure, award-winning author Chris Duff places readers in the cockpit of his 18-foot kayak and lets them experience the full power and beauty of the South Pacific Ocean and the wild energy of the Tasman Sea as it thunders onto New Zealand's uninhabited west coast. Not just an account of human physical endurance and determination to attempt what had only been accomplished once before, this exquisitely written narrative reveals the philosophical and psychological life of a man who has chosen the sea as the master to sit before and to learn from. The intense and often terrifying sea journey is balanced by serendipitous meetings along the way with friendly New Zealanders and with the diverse wildlife of this tiny and remote island country. Southern Exposure is a force of writing that will captivate the armchair adventurer as well as the seasoned ocean traveler.
Synopsis
Experience the full power and beauty of the wild seas off the largely uninhabited coast of New Zealand's South Island. Southern Exposure is the firsthand account of how Chris Duff accomplished what only one man had done before. Not just a tale of physical endurance and determination, this epic sea kayaking adventure reveals the philosophical and psychological life of a man who has chosen the sea as his spiritual master. Southern Exposure's stunning photos and vivid descriptions of Duff's setbacks and triumphs will captivate the armchair adventurer as well as the seasoned ocean traveler.
Synopsis
An extraordinary account of the author's 1700-mile circumnavigation of New Zealand's South Island by sea kayak, combining high adventure on terrifying seas with an inner journey of the mind.
About the Author
Chris Duff has traveled more than 15,000 miles by sea kayak and was the first person ever to solo circumnavigate England, Wales, and Scotland. He is the author of
On Celtic Tides (St. Martin's Press, 1999) and has contributed articles to
Sea Kayaker magazine and the anthology
Seekers of the Horizon (Globe Pequot, 1989). He lives in Port Angeles, Washington.
Table of Contents
Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Prologue (1) Giving Wings to Dreams (2) Solitude and Gales (3) Sharing the Dream (4) Southern Gales, Kiwi Connections (5) Praying for Summer (6) Expedition Momentum (7) Good as Gold Meri (8) Paddling the Edge, Pushing West (9) Storm Force Winds and the Refuge of Friends (10) Fiordland Fury (11) Gifts from the Sea (12) Shattered Fiberglass and Broken Dreams (13) Rescue and Repairs (14) Rebuilding the Boat and the Dream (15) Tasman Trials (16) Living on the Edge (17) Transitions and Calm Winds (18) Safe Haven and Calm Waters Epilogue Appendix