Bold Stories

Isle of Man to Scotland (31.8km) solo crossing in 3hrs, 35 mins, on 14 June 2023.

Keirron Tastagh set off in the dark from the Point of Ayre (02:36am) with interesting sea conditions for the first hour or so… sunrise 2 hours later was magical – Manx Shearwaters flying around the kayak with deep red sunrise and Scotland in sight. So many Gannets around, max kayak speed was 14.6km/hr!

Just time to heat some food and take on liquids, then back on the water after 1hr, 45 rest.
The return paddle was tough!

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Tromso, Norway in summer 2022.

A wilderness journey by 7 young adventurers from the Isle of Man, sea kayaking, mountain walking, fishing from the kayaks… wild camping each night, navigating on land and water, experiences with eagles, porpoise and the odd Reindeer.

Led by Keirron & Katia Tastagh, the team finished their kayaking leg down the Kaldfjord towards Tromso, in northern Norway just before the storm hit!

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Tromso, Norway in summer 2019.

Journeying in sea kayaks, wild camping whilst exploring the outer Islands, from chaotic winds and heavy rain to absolute calm in the fjords, hiking to the Hollendaren Glacier, catching and cooking fish, washing in glacial rivers, eagles, porpoise, sunsets…

Led by Keirron Tastagh and Becky Crease

Adventure Club kayak to Scotland… and paddled home the following day!

The mission by sea kayak took the team 5 hours on the way over, and seven and half on the return. They encountered dolphins, pods of porpoise, puffins, strong tides and spectacular shades of grey sea mist.

“To arrive on a beach, knowing it’s all human energy that has carried you across the sea is a powerful feeling. We all worked hard through the crossings, which makes the sense of achievement of this team goal all the more sweet. A huge thanks to Keirron for the challenge, the training and the opportunity…what an amazing experience!”
Becky Crease

“As a Scotsman, I often travel back to my homeland. I’ve journeyed by aeroplane, ferry, car, train and bus but never by kayak. This was a unique and most memorable journey – a truly Adventurous Experience – and no travel ticket to buy.”
Gerry McGarvey

Published in the Isle of Man Examiner 19th June 2018.

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Vancouver Island in summer 2016.

Three weeks of wild camping, whilst kayaking around Cape Scott and the Queen Charlotte Strait, hiking in Strathcona National Park, swimming in glacial lakes and whale watching.

Led by Keirron Tastagh, Janet Taylor, Emma Thompson

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Vancouver Island in summer 2014.

Three weeks of wild camping, whilst kayaking around Cape Scott, Orca’s rubbing on the beach below camp, hiking in Strathcona National Park including Mount Tom Taylor summit. Bears, whales, sea lions…

Led by Keirron Tastagh and Keri Tastagh

Patri Gauche Icefall – Valnontey valley, Cogne (Italy)

A short winter mission to Cogne, to climb the world renowned (and accessible) frozen waterfalls with Jim, Steve and Simon. We flew out on a Sunday in February, ready to get onto the superior ice falls we’d experienced 2 years ago… the psyche was high!

Conditions had warmed up this visit, and made decision making more serious… Trekked up Valnontey valley on Monday morning, looking for some comfortable climbs to get acclimatised. Speaking to other teams, the theme seemed to be, ‘climb the first pitch and abseil off’. (The sun was hitting the western slopes above).

Not finding the solidarity we were looking for on the closer routes, we crossed over the riverbed and headed higher up the east side… we explored and climbed, with plenty of learning! Only our 3rd Alps climbing trip, quite different to our regular winter missions to Scotland. Thursday was our last full day in Cogne, Keirron led 4 of the pitches on Valnontey’s classic Patri Gauche (WI4).

K

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Vancouver Island in summer 2012.

Three weeks of wild camping (and wild conditions), whilst kayaking around Cape Scott, hiking in Strathcona National Park, bears, whales, gales, sea lions, a lot of snow…

Led by Sam Murphy and Becca Goodson

Sea Kayaking along the Aleutian Islands chain in May 2012.

The un-supported duo: sponsored athlete Keirron Tastagh and his long term student (at that time), set a new record in sea kayaking, completing the furthest paddle West from Dutch Harbor on Unalaska to Herbert Island – the last of the ‘Islands of the Four Mountains’. Completing a sea otter survey along the way.

The Aleutian’s (between Alaska and Siberia) had just endured their harshest winter for 20 years! A highly technical and challenging trip, involving real risk in a remote location, during three weeks with maximum exposure to the elements.

Alice aged 12 and Katia aged 15 kayak to Scotland and back on 31st Aug 2011

Completed in a single day (just over 9 hours on the water) prior to heading back to school, at the end of the summer holidays.

The teenagers used Sea Kayaking UK ‘Triton’ tandem kayaks, each with an experienced paddler in the back. The 42 mile return journey included watching sunrise from out at sea, pods of porpoise and a strenuous physical push in strong tidal flow to finish.

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Norway in summer 2009.

Three weeks of wild camping and incessant rain, whilst kayaking the mighty Sognefjord from Vik to Sula (and back again), encounters with porpoise, hiking the Jotunheimen including Glittertind summit, rock climbing (sport routes) near Bergen.

Led by Keirron Tastagh, John Keggin, Eva-Lotta Backman-Winquist

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Vancouver Island in summer 2007.

Three weeks of wild camping, whilst kayaking around Cape Scott, hiking in Strathcona National Park, encounters with bears, sea otters, whales, sea lions… and a community project through Body Boat Blade International on Orcas Isle.

Led by Keirron Tastagh, Les and Diane Urich

Record Circumnavigation of Vancouver Island in May 2007.

700 nautical miles in 19 and a half days, in a bright pink tandem kayak for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The kayakers Keirron Tastagh and Jeff Norville had never met before embarking on their self-sufficient epic paddle!

Ahead of previous times (26 days for a tandem and 28 days for a solo kayak), and enjoying breath-taking wildlife along the way, the pair also raised over £1000 for charity.

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Norway in summer 2005.

Three weeks of wild camping, whilst kayaking the mighty Sognefjord from Vik to Sula (and back again), hiking the Jotunheimen including Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind summits, sport rock climbing, crevasse exploration on the Folgefonna Glacier.

Led by Keirron Tastagh, Keri Tastagh, Jukka Linnonmaa, Jan Starheim

Isle of Man Youth Expedition to Ontario in summer 2004.

Four weeks of wild camping, 2 teams completing separate canoeing and hiking mini-expeditions including the Ogoki river and Wabakimi Park, plus a combined community project making a new canoe portage trail.

Teams led by Keirron Tastagh and Lesley Sleight.

Youth Scholarship Expedition to Norway in summer 2003.

Three weeks of wild camping, whilst kayaking the mighty Sognefjord from Vik to Sula (and back again), hiking the Jotunheimen including Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind summits, crevasse exploration on the Folgefonna Glacier.

Led by Keirron Tastagh, Keri Tastagh, Jan Starheim

Isle of Man Youth Expedition to Vancouver Island in summer 2002.

Four weeks of wild camping, 30 students, nine kayaking and hiking mini-expeditions plus community projects, rafts of sea otters, bear cub encounters, and a lot of adventures… Humpback whale photo by John Walpole

Organised by Lesley Sleight, Keirron Tastagh was one of the Expedition Leaders.

Keirron’s first open crossing… 52 nautical miles on August 30th 2001 (aged 22)

“I’m surprised your not paddling over to the Isle of Man” said Nigel.
Nigel Dennis and Keirron were stood outside the ASSC centre, in hot sunshine and not a breath of wind. A smile played on Nigel’s face. “I’m going tomorrow” came the reply…

Setting off from Porth Dafarch on Holy Island at 3am in the misty morning, accompanied by his paddling friend Nico Middlekoop (for the ‘first hour’), Keirron had plenty of time for reflection.

Several hours later, the pair paused for the hourly break… it was time.

Keirron and Nico shook hands in the middle of the Irish Sea (a surreal experience) and Nico returned to Anglesey to catch his immanent scheduled ferry. Keirron continued solo as originally planned to the Isle of Man, arriving on Port St Mary slipway at 5pm.

“…the feeling of vulnerability… the adrenaline… the calm… the exposure… the overpowering presence of raw nature. It’s a living, breathing presence. Its magnitude… its moods…”

“The gentle spatter of rain on the single skin tent is accompanied by the rise and fall of the Northerlie wind, combined with the low background roar of the glacial meltwater river adjacent to our camp – providing a constantly changing melody of the elements and imputting additional data into my already active cognitive process….”

“The rain has developed to a steady assault, and between my boots in the porch I can see a rivelet of rainwater forming a pool beside the main zip…”

“Sitting in my kayak at 5:30am on the glassy fjord just off our camp… Porpoise surface around me letting out sighs of air as they breathe, a mother and her calf rising in unison, another larger adult passing them heading the other way, more surfacing further afield…”

Keirron Tastagh