Photo credit: explorersweb.com
Johnny Coyne has made history by becoming the first individual to kayak from Ireland to Asia. The Irish adventurer embarked on this ambitious journey in September 2024, initially joined by Liam Cotter, with fellow countryman Ryan Fallow joining later on. However, Coyne was the only one to complete the full distance.
The expedition commenced with Coyne and Cotter crossing the Irish Sea and the English Channel unsupported, navigating various European rivers and canals along the way. The journey presented numerous challenges, not only physical but also logistical.
In France, the duo faced setbacks due to a lack of proper permits, which led to a ban from the canals. After securing the necessary permissions, they encountered another hurdle: frozen waterways. Demonstrating resilience and commitment to their human-powered journey, they dragged their kayaks approximately 350 kilometers across France and then through Germany’s Black Forest, finally reaching the source of the Danube.
This extensive portage proved to be one of the most challenging segments of their adventure. At one point, they encountered a mechanical failure with their kayak cart, forcing them to pause for several weeks while winter set in, bringing with it plummeting temperatures.
On the Danube
Once in Germany, Ryan Fallow joined the duo, and the trio continued their journey along the Danube. While they were familiar with navigating rapids, traversing an unfamiliar river introduced a level of anxiety. In Austria, during one particularly challenging rapid, disaster struck when Cotter’s boat collided with rocks, creating a significant hole. Fortunately, their luck changed when two helpful individuals provided assistance: one managed to repair the damaged kayak, while the other replaced Fallow’s ill-suited vessel with a more appropriate model.
Resuming their journey, Cotter subsequently dislocated his shoulder during a portage and was unable to continue. Coyne and Fallow pressed on through Slovakia and Hungary, where they encountered additional complications related to border crossings. On their first night in Croatia, law enforcement surrounded their kayaks, mistakenly believing them to be illegal immigrants.
Despite these challenges, the duo maintained their positive outlook. They kayaked through Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria, resupplying in various towns along the way. While they often camped along the riverbank, they also accepted the warmth of hospitality from locals when offered.
As the months progressed, the wear and tear on their equipment became evident. Their tent began to leak, and some poles were lost. By the conclusion of their eight-month expedition, their shelter was precariously held together with tape and sticks.
Finally at the Black Sea
In early April, 210 days after their departure, they reached the Black Sea, marking a significant milestone just before Istanbul. Their next aim was to reunite with Cotter, who had stayed behind to assist with logistics while recovering from his shoulder injury. Now that his shoulder had healed sufficiently, Cotter decided to catch up with Coyne and Fallow by cycling through Bulgaria.
On day 225, after three months apart, Cotter rejoined them, ready to kayak for the final week of their journey.
The closing week of the expedition commenced with their transition from Bulgaria into Turkey. However, they faced additional complications at the border. Coyne attempted to coordinate their entry through the Coast Guard, and as they approached the crossing, a customs boat informed them they could not land yet.
This enforced another delay, as they had to remain in their boats for three hours while the temperature dropped, the water grew choppy, and darkness fell before they were finally permitted to enter Turkey.
Facing Another Border Challenge
Upon landing, police questioned them and searched their kayaks. That night, the police stayed on the beach to prevent them from crossing the border under cover of darkness. The following morning, they were allowed to officially enter Turkey.
With just four days left, their anticipation soared, further heightened by the presence of a pod of dolphins swimming alongside them as they navigated the Turkish coastline. On April 25, they finally arrived in Istanbul, greeted by cheers from friends and family who had gathered to welcome them.
“This has been the greatest moment of my life so far,” Coyne declared as he stepped out of his kayak.
Source
explorersweb.com