My congratulations to Laurie Ford and members of the Tasmanian Sea Canoeing Club for their enthusiasm in launching this inaugural edition of ‘Sea Canoeist’.
Like a lone or single-handed yachtsman, a sea-canoeist must possess a certain mixture of independence, courage, adventure, determination, fitness, and respect for the sea which few people understand. Because he appears to be a rare species, very little of his actions have been recorded over the years.

We know the Eskimos have been paddling their kayaks at sea for some time; but can anyone tell us just for how long? Ian Idriess has fictionalised exploits of the Polynesian natives, whose massive war canoes and navigational abilities we can but admire. There must be hundreds of tribes in Africa, Asia, North and South America who have been canoeing for centuries in some form of craft. Who would doubt that many of them would have experienced the taste of salt water? Even the Tasmanian aborigine is alleged to have canoed to and from Maria island and the Maatsuyker Group. It is further claimed they carried a fire (presumably live coals) with them.

As far as I am aware, the first major dissertations on his canoeing exploits, which included journeys at sea, was by J. MacGregor in his book “The Rob Roy in the Baltic”, and “The Rob Roy on the Jordan”. The latter was published in 1869. The problems of design, storage, and equipment etc, and the challenge and sense of adventure, are nothing new.

Let’s hope the ‘Sea Canoeist’ will help spread the word and allow more canoeists to share the experience of others, and be inspired to meet the challenge of the seas to the best of their capabilities. Good luck ‘Sea Canoeist’.

      Peter Hall,
      President Tas Canoe Association
      Chairman ACF Sea Touring Committee