Patagonian paddling…with a film crew

I’ve always fancied a paddle in the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia – that long cold place down south, with cuddly fleeces named after it. The pleasure of kayaking is simple for me – its an escape from wheels and tarmac. I’m paralysed from the chest down, and there’s nothing more freeing than being out on the water. Sea kayaking is what I do most of, mainly because without any muscles that work below the chest, I have appauling balance and behave much like jelly. Its taken a while to paddle a single kayak and stay upright, but off to Patagonia in January, and have chosen to go double, in expectation of ferocious winds.

The plan? Hmmm – not clear yet, but basically to paddle south, through islands and fjords towards Laguna San Rafael where the glacier carves into the sea. There’ll be a small film crew along, making a documentary for BBC tv, about us kayaking there – the winds, the wobbles, the leeches…and the general adventure, whatever unfolds. I’ll be leaving my wheelchair behind for the duration, so it should be suitably bizarre TV to watch me bumming around the rainforest, and in and out of the kayak. I’ll be paddling with my partner, Andy Kirkpatrick, better known for his climbing exploits and a beginner to sea kayaking.  There’s only the two of us, and as yet, apart from some great Palm gear coming our way, we’re feeling a bit unprepared. Nothing Christmas won’t solve.

Watch this space…