Canoetramp Expeditions
Life is simple, just add water
Fellow Adventurers,
Welcome to my new site, inspired by my desire to make a living doing what I love the most … remote, adventurous canoe expeditions, living as simply as I can and as close to nature as possible. That means fishing and foraging for food where possible, cooking on open fires and learning as many traditional skills as I can from local people. I also love coaching and guiding, and I would love to help you develop your skills and experience so you can set off on expeditions of your own.
ABOUT
Historically, the idea of the ‘tramp’ was not simply that of a wanderer, but someone who valued their freedom and independence, a life less constrained by convention, carrying few possessions and answering only to the road – or in this case, the river. There were hardships and challenges, but overcoming them was part of the journey.
Canoetramp Expeditions takes its name from that spirit, travelling close to nature, living simply and embracing adventure, challenge and uncertainty.
I’ve spent most of my adult life seeking out adventure and challenge in a myriad of environments, from steaming jungles to arctic wastes and deserts, from wilderness rivers to remote coastlines and mountains. I especially love the journeying aspect of paddling expeditions and have paddled in the UK, Europe, Africa, Canada, the United States, Borneo, Indonesia, the U.A.E and Oman.
I’ve acquired a number of water, land and expedition based outdoor qualifications over the years, and hope to start running courses and expeditions in 2027 … so watch this space!
Congo River Expedition
In 2008 I attempted to canoe the Congo River in central Africa, from the true source in North-Eastern Zambia to the Atlantic Ocean. As far as I know it’s never been done before.
I was extremely fortunate to be awarded a fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and also won the 2008 Mike Jones Canoeing Award on my return. The source starts with the Chambeshi River just South of lake Tanganyika, before flowing through the huge Bangweulu Swamps, the Luapula & Luvua Rivers before joining the Lualaba. Using all the versatility Canadian Canoeing has to offer, it was a superb adventure in a rarely visited part of the world with incredible landscapes and inspirational people. It took me five months
PRODUCTS
Canoeing the Congo: eBook
The ebook of my five month, two thousand nine hundred mile, first ‘source to sea’ descent of the Congo River in Central Africa.
Canoeing the Congo: Hardcopy Book
The book of my five month, two thousand nine hundred mile, first ‘source to sea’ descent of the Congo River in Central Africa.
Canoeing the Congo: Streamable Film
The film of my five month, two thousand nine hundred mile, first ‘source to sea’ descent of the Congo River in Central Africa.
Future Expeditions
I’ve tried and failed twice to cross the island of Borneo by Canadian canoe, but hope to return soon for my third attempt. Criss-crossed by pristine beautiful rivers, especially in the interior, the indigenous people are a delight to spend time with and masters of their environment. A book and film hopefully await.
Partially completed, I also hope to return to Oman to complete sea kayaking the entire coastline. The Musandam peninsula in the Straits of Hormuz is an absolute gem of a sea kayaking destination. I’m also planning to get a crack at the island of Socotra off the Yemen coast. A book and film hopefully await.
I have a long list of future trips planned, and am always on the lookout for prospective twitchy toed, expedition loving, paddling partners. If you’re in a similar boat 🙂 please get in touch for a chat. It would help if we didn’t hate each other …
Bespoke Expeditions & Training
It’s early days at the moment, but if you’re relatively new to all this, and would like some coaching or expedition guiding, please get in touch and we can discuss anything you have in mind. I’m also happy to suggest some locations for coaching and suitable expeditions.
I’m also developing a new non-canoeing related ‘Resilience Training’ experience. It will consist of back to back challenges in the outdoors, both physical and mental, with a view to unleashing the incredible potential we all carry inside us. Please get in touch if this interests you.
