Iceland Circumnavigation Expedition 2008 , is now:
Iceland Circumnavigation 2009

2nd Attempt to solo circumnavigate Iceland in Planning Stages The decision came easy. My desire to circumnavigate Iceland grew silently but steady in the past 3 weeks since I returned from Iceland.
I can't wait to slide the boat again into the Breidafjordur Bay for my 2nd attempt in 2009 to revisit the fascinating landscapes of Iceland and to meet and visit the friends I made during my brief time in Iceland in June of 2008.
My attempt to circumnavigate Iceland in the summer of 2008 was as much an attempt as it possible could be.
After having paddled only 2 full days in 2 weeks due to strong winds and storms lasting several days, having encountered a surf launch accident causing considerable damage to boat and other gear, and after spending 4 consecutive days on Stagley Island due to a major storm, I went back home to NYC.
However, I am excited to announce to go back to Iceland in 2009 to take care of the unfinished business.
I am looking very much forward to my second attempt to circumnavigate Iceland, maybe more than I was the first time, since I will have the chance to meet again the wonderful people and friends I met in Iceland this year.
Feel free to read the blog for the events which lead to the decision, or the article "The Hardest Part" at http://marcusdemuth.com/icelandcircumnavigation.aspx, written by Derrick Mayoleth of www.kayakquixotico.com, or the newly set up http://aroundiceland2009.blogspot.com/

Another Explorer reported sinking. The 2nd this Year!

"Hello from Antarctica ..." started Jon Bowermaster's email from today, writing from Antarctica where he is scouting for his upcoming expedition by sea kayak and sail as a part of his "8 Oceans" odyssee. Jon is doing well, despite witnessing "a few unexpected moments", like the rescue mission and the sinking of the “Explorer”. This time it is not a Nigel Dennis Explorer which got damaged and went under (see Australia link), but a real life, 200 feet cruise ship (see pic above).
Check out Jon's hair raising audio and video footage of the cruise ship sinking and the picking up of the passengers bobbing in lifeboats in the Antarctic Sea at http://www.jonbowermaster.com/antarctica2008/index.html
Circumnavigation of Ireland 
Successfully finished July 17 '08. 1,100 Miles in 42 days
The circle is closed! On July 17th, 2007 I paddled back into Dun Loaghaire harbor, after paddling 1,088 Miles clockwise around Ireland in 42 days. The circumnavigation was a fundraiser for the Irish chapter of the Royal National Lifeboat Association (rnli.co.uk). Visit the updated Ireland Link above for viewing the pics and for reading me complaining about the weather, the head winds and the gear which broke. There was a nice article in the October issue UK's "Paddler" magazine about this trip, also look out for a quite upbeat trip report of the circumnavigation I wrote for "Grumpy Paddler" magazine.
Surf's Up!
Check out this lil' Kayak Surfing Mini-Movie

Wave off Donegal Bay, Ireland, June 2007
To view the footage of the 3-piece Explorer riding the waves last weekend at the Jersey shore close to Belmar, NJ crank up your computer speakers to the max and click here.
Deck mounted camera & editing was provided by my friend Jeff Folmsbee.
Australia, February 2007 | Coming up this Jan & Feb '09:  Circumnavigation of the Falkland Islands

Attempt to circumnavigate the 776 Falkland Islands
In Spring of 2009, New York City based kayaker Marcus Demuth will attempt to circumnavigate all 776 Falkland Islands by sea kayak, a journey of over 850 Miles. The goal of the expedition is to be the first kayaker to successfully circumnavigate the 776 Falkland Islands and to document and study the marine wild life of the fairly inaccessible outer Falkland Islands.
The stakes (and the winds) for the success of Marcus' 2009 Around Falklands Expedition are high: two British Special Forces teams and an expedition of two US kayakers tried, but failed to circumnavigate the Falklands, located 300 miles east of Cape Horn in the South Atlantic Ocean, with one of the 3 unsuccessful expeditions claiming a casualty. If Marcus succeeds he will be the first kayaker in history to do so.

Because of the Falklands' small population, harsh climate, and isolation, most of the 776 Falklands Islands are not only uninhabited, but also completely untouched by humans for many decades. The wildlife on the Falklands is especially spectacular on these fairly inaccessible outer islands (such as the Jason Islands), featuring penguin colonies, large sea lions up to 700 pounds, elephant seals up to 3.5 tons, pods of orcas, and aggressive fur seals.
Past expeditions brought Marcus, under the sponsorship of Kokatat, Lendal Paddles and Nigel Dennis Kayaks, to Iceland (a country Marcus will revisit in 2009 for a second attempt to circumnavigate), Ireland, the South and West Coast of Australia, and Chile/Patagonia.
Oscar Chalupsky at Pier 66 Boathouse Full Day Clinic October 16th, 2008

Oscar ChalupskyOscar Chalupsky, 11 time World Paddling Champion, 1992 Olympist and cherished paddling instructor in all things Forward Stroke (and beyond), will held a full day paddling clinic at the Pier 66 Boathouse (26th St and Hudson River, NYC) on October 16th, 2008. $150 for the full day event. For information and registration email marcusdemuth -at- yahoo.com (replace -at- with @)
 presents: New Zealand Presentation by Justine Curgenven November 22nd, 6 PM, Pier 66 Boathouse, NYC
Barry Shaw and Justine CurgenvenKayaker and film maker of "This is the Sea" series Justine Curgenven together with Barry Shaw will visit the NYC Pier 66 Boathouse on November 22nd, 6 PM, to show a 1-hour documentary fo rtheir recent circumnavigation of the South island of New Zealand, followed by a talk. For more information about the 4th installation of Justine's "This is the Sea" DVD series, please visit www.cackletv.comTo reserve a spot for the event on Nov. 22nd, 6 PM at the Pier 66 boathouse, please email marcusdemuth -at- yahoo.com (please replace -at- with @). Cover charge will be $5. Interview with Nigel Dennis  From his first Kayak Trip in 1979 to Sea Kayaking UK Usually smiling: Nigel Dennis of Holyhead, UKHear Nigel Dennis of Sea Kayaking UK (Nigel Dennis Kayaks) talk about his days as a passionate squash player until age 25, about his first encounter with sea kayaks, and why Nigel quit sea kayaking for 5 years to go wind surfing after his circumnavigation of Great Britain with Paul Caffyn in 1980. To listen to the interview click here, and click on start button to start interview Interview by Simon Wills
Svalbard Expedition AbandonnedAlon Ohad and Tim Starr rescued off Svalbard's North Coast My deep sympathies and respect to Alon Ohad and Tim Starr who set out on June 8th 2008 which would have been the first ever circumnavigation of the Svalbard Peninsula. On July 7th, Alon and Tim got stuck in pack ice in unexpected and fast changing weather and had to call for a helicopter rescue after realizing they might be unable to reach the safety of land.
Ireland Circumnavigation Presentations
New Dates added for 2009
- June 29th, 2009, Neskaupstaður, Iceland Topic: Ireland Slide Show
- July 31st, 2009, Reykjavik, Iceland
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