Please post any suggestions, comments and questions here

I teach general education at Port Macquarie Community College and we watched your web site with great interest as you started your journey yesterday. we had a few questions and we'd love to get an answer. Firstly, why did you choose Forster? We thought it might be related to the currents.
And more importantly, we wondered how do you go to the toilet? Someone thought maybe you didn't need to because of the type of food you were eating (i.e. dehydrated) but someone else thought maybe you use a chemical toilet like people do when camping.
These are the curiousities we have as humans.
But most importantly, we thought it the whole trip and the web site was really inspiring and loved your video and amount of preparation. All the best.
Janette

If I may say so, I do not see the point in a 'world first', nor in such a specially-built boat. Why not a common sloop, where the chance to get dry, sleep and use the legs will be enhanced? To sail the Tasman Sea is an achievement in itself, to paddle across it is something different altogether - I do so wish to see you both back on dry land... Yet the desire to paddle an absurd-looking kayak is something that can be only intimate to yourselves. I am not sure if I am inspired in any way or form - and this statement is from one who once paddled a unmodified sea-kayak alone from Tweed Heads to Townsville over 11 weeks.
Stay vigilant to your sleep deprivation, guys - and look out for each other.

Folks - Any chance of reversing the thread order of the forums ie last post first ? As the journey progresses there's going to be a hell of a lot of pages to get through to read what's happned/happening

Billsy and Bowenarrow,

We are looking into the reverse thread. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the suggestions.

Suburban family from Sydney!!

Thanks for the online adventure, wonderfully inspired from your dedication and your goals. Great to see awsome aussie attitude.

Regards
The Smith from Winston Hills.

well rats 1 & 2,well let me say ,in all my 75 years on gods good earth, what you two are doing goes to the top of the list, you two have me sucked right in ,i cannot get enough of your great deed, keep it up , god be with you,along with me ,go you good things

Hey guys,

Be following with great interest here in Dubbo. Are praying that you guys will be safe and God will strengthen you for the journey ahead. Remember He is there watching over you. When the seas seem tall and things a bit rough call out to Him. When things are going well and you need that bit extra speed call out to Him.

Keeping you in our prayers and thoughts. Row well boys.

PastorNeil

It looks as though you have got off to a great start.
How about posting a Lat & Long position each day to help us track their progress?

Peter

I am following you each day and plotting your latest position on Google Earth. What a fantastic effort.
Cheers,
Merv

morning guys and a huge welcome and support from all the scottish lads and lassies watching your progress, may the southern lady seas carry you both gently to NZ, keep the faith, one love one life!

jonesy, you're a giblet... keep paddling. I assure you it is better than sitting infront of two computer screens until... well 9pm at night. coatesy

RACE RECON Why did you decide to weight current effect greater than windage and leave from Forster rather than Mallacoota?

REPLY TO GREG S

Hi Greg. Thanks for the Qs.

1. Before applying random assumptions in NVM2 (Net Vessel Movement Model) we did some testing. We got the guys to paddle out into currents and winds and without paddling test the residual effect (eg relative velocity, relative to ground speed/stationary). We then did some regression analysis on that information that told us that if a 10kt wind was head on that it would drive the kayak back 1kt for example. Prior to the model outputs that you can see in our article (Extremely Serious) we had a limited amount of data and we had to apply a general rule of thumb.The general rule of thumb for NVM2 was a linear rule of thumb as well. That is to say that a 100kt wind would carry you 10kts and a 10kt wind would carry you 1kt. This linear general relationship was assumed just to simplify things at the time. Clearly the relative heading of the wind to the kayak, the cumulative relationship of the wind and the current, the wave height and direction and a number of other variables impact in on makiing that 10% Wind Assumption.

We did as an overview and still are on the data we are getting from the team, find that even though Lot 41 has quite a large surface area, that the current has a much more dramatic impact on the net movement of the kayak than the wind does.

Post expedition we are going to publish some pretty amazing analysis on this world first which will include multi variables regression models that tell us how Lot 41 performs in all of these conditions.

Finally, we did all of this for two reasons. 1, If we loose communications and tracking on the team we have a large data set that we can use to predict their location in the event of a search and rescue and 2. We can use this data to make predictions on their final location given a certian set of conditions and decisions.

Q2. Mallacoota. I presume you are referring to the Mallacoota on the Sth Coast. Check out the CSIRO SST maps and have a look at the current behaviour down there. It was a little too bizarre for the team. Additionally you will note that the water temperature down there is much colder.

Early 2006, Race Recon visited the Australian Rescue Coordination Centre to meet the operations team and get a better understanding of how they do business. One of the things we were fortunate enough to experience was a "Survival Time Estimator" The RCC input quite an exhaustive list of variables such as how many layers the guys are wearing, bodyweight, age, sex, fitness level, etc etc etc as well as the sea temp at that location. We did some sensitivity analysis to find out what aspects made the greatest impact (increased survival time) and found out (surprise surprise) that the temp of the water and wearing a survival suit made a dramatic difference. Don't quote me but from memory I think we estimated that survival time down at Mallacoota latitude was about 60% of that at Forster meaning that it might give you another 12-24hrs or survival time

Patrick, you are an unsung hero in all of this, keep up the great work.
Could I suggest a thread for the Auckland welcoming committee. It would give them an opportunity to contact each other and coordinate their efforts.

Alexander loved those marina photos In the early part of the 60s I was on a ship that used to have its permanent berth there.
Things have changed so much since I left NZ.
However I am sure that the "KIWIS'' will put on a good reception for the two Kayakers.
To the paddlers Good Luck
I have to blame J & J for becoming a CTD feak not that theres any harm in that, It helps to keep the streets clean.

I watch in awe and with a bit of jelousy that I am not doing it with you.
Have you considered doing this on a regular schedule You could have P&O worried.
Cheers from Tweed Heads Campbell n Bev

Suggest paddle SSW for next 4 days, give up easting. Should then be able to break out. May need to do it for 5. Otherwise they'll be locked in and there's worse yet to come . Think hard about this ,deviating from a long held plan isnt ever easy but looking at NZ met Iwould suggest your options are rapidly narrowing.

Patrick you are doing a great job communicating the whereabouts and condition of the "RATS". I have become a adict to the news of the crossing and would like to make a small suggestion that may improve it your coverage even more. I find the text on the goolge page that you include with your posting very hard to read. would it be possible to change text colour and/or size? I think it would be very easy to retype the text in any of the editing programs before it was posted.
It is so exciting to see the little red line starting to stretch out after what must have been a few very frustrating days of indifferent weather.
A big cheer for the "RATS" out there doing their stuff and remember the hare and the tortice "slow and steady wins the race"
Make ever stroke count.
Cheers

Justin and James
saw the comments on the Sunday 25th evening sked report re the hot paddling conditions.
What about changing the routine completely and paddling through the night and sleeping during the day.
Avoids having to cover up from the sun and you should be less fatigued from a hard paddle in the cool of the night
You have both done the Hawkesbury and know how enjoyable that is.
Might take a few days to adapt to the changeover of routine.
Main risk as I see it is being unable to sleep properly during the hot days.
Just a thought hope it helps.
Well done on almost reaching the 160E, should be through by mid morning.
Strength to you both
Karl

Hi Rat 1& 2

Well done!. You guys are certainly an Inspiration to everyone!.I once paddled with a friend in sea kayaks from Balmoral Beach out through the heads to Manly Beach and back.I thought that was a long paddle!.
(When you get to Auckland do you think you will paddle back to Aus.?) just kidding.

Bob

Guys, Keep it going. Here I am sitting here in my office in Shanghai China. You have to know that you have a group of Aussies up here counting on you. We all look forward to your next report. Keep safe and get into that mental zone.
All the best - Peter

Hi James + Justin,

What an amazing adventure. Stay strong. You 2 are an obsolute inspiration!

Trev from Sydney.

Getting a little closer now men each day will only get better. Without effort there is no reward. The glory of your trip shall be given when you arrive in Kiwiland.
THE WEATHER HERE TODAY IS FINE AND HOT IN HAMILTON,NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND. I MUST GET IN MY KAYAK SOON AND GO FOR A PADDLE ON HAMILTON LAKE.
TAKE CARE GUYS
BASMAN

GO FOR IT GUYS YOU HAVE ALL OF MY RESPECT FOR YOUR COURAGE AND ENDEAVOUR TO COMPLETE THIS GRUELLING VOYGAGE. SAILING THESE WATERS WOULD BE A CHALLENGE BUT PADDLING, AN ENDURANCE TEST OF BODY & SOUL. GOOD LUCK & GOD'S SPEED, MAY THE ELEMENTS BE WITH YOU

Hello sailors......just a thought about the head wind. what about an inflatible anchor, one that allows water through it enough not to sink you but slows down being pushed backwards. a real shame to waste all those hours of slogging along. anyway you dont need more advice...wishing you both health and success and sleep undisturbed. from middle age mother who loves her kayak too. sally... western australia (mandurah)