Kokatat Supports Project Sea Otter

The fate of the early sea otter and Aleut populations are intrinsically linked. Before contact with Europeans it is estimated that there were 25,000 Aleuts, today there are about 2,000. Similarly the sea otter population is believed to have undergone a decline exceeding 50% over the past 30 years.

Kokatat ambassador Keirron Tastagh, and his long-term student and paddling partner George Shaw have embarked on a 1,500 mile expedition through the Aleutian Islands to investigate the current status of the sea otter population in the area.

“Our expedition is inspired by the Aleutians rich culture and kayaking heritage,” said Tastagh. “The journey will not only paint a picture of the current sea otter population, but will also provide a better understanding of ‘The Aleut Story’.”

Working with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Tastagh and Shaw will be recording the presence or absence of sea otters in bays, and noting killer whale position as well as taking photographs for identification for marine biologists’ live projects. Killer whale attacks are suspected to be leading cause for the decline of the Northern Sea Otter in the Aleutians, which is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Setting out from Unalaska, Tastagh and Shaw, who both train and live on the Isle of Man, UK, will paddle unsupported. They will carry all their kit and freeze dried meals on-board and will supplement their diet with fresh fish. Along the way they will encounter challenges such as katabatic winds, large tidal ranges, open crossings, sea fog, landing zones and the unpredictable and stormy Bering Sea.

Tastagh and Shaw plan to “explore as far as necessary to reach the conclusions we require” which could be as far as the Russian Kamchatka Peninsula.

Kokatat has supplied theteam with various gear for their expedition:

GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit

Ronin Pro PFD plus Tributary

TROPOS Light Storm Cag

GORE-TEX® Anorak

For additional information on the Sea Otter project visit their website and follow the expedition on their Blog.

For more information on this and other Kokatat sponsored expeditions visit http://www.kokatat.com/expeditions.

About Kokatat Watersports Wear

Celebrating over 40 years of innovation, Kokatat is an independently operated, US manufacturer of technical apparel and accessories for water sports. Handcrafted in Arcata, California, Kokatat employees are focused on building the finest functional product for people who work and play on water. Our gear is designed for paddlers, by paddlers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the water all year long and in all weather conditions.

As always, Kokatat continues to support experienced paddlers attempting first descents and expeditions. The company proudly provides the athletes with the best paddling gear in the whitewater industry.

Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Twitter “@kokatat” 

Greenland or Bust

• Find Us On Facebook • Follow Us On Twitter • Read All About It • 

Kokatat Salutes Sarah Outen

British adventurer and Kokatat supported athlete, Sarah Outen (26) is preparing to set off on her record-breaking solo row across the North Pacific Ocean, from Choshi, Japan to Vancouver, Canada. Upon landing in Vancouver, Outen will be the first woman to row across the North Pacific Ocean.

Outen delayed her departure last week due to an impending gale and is hoping to depart in the next week, weather depending. Once on the water, Outen will spend between 150 and 200 days alone out at sea during the 4,500 nautical mile journey. Only two men have previously rowed solo across this northern route from Japan to North America.

Outen will be 100% self-sufficient with all the food necessary for the journey stocked on her 6.75m customized rowing boat, Gulliver. An on-board desalination machine, will convert seawater into drinking water and a full suite of communications equipment, charged by on-board solar panels, will allow her to conduct interviews, post blogs and tweet while on the ocean.

This North Pacific row is part of Outen’s wider, two and half year expedition, “London2London: Via the World” in which Outen will row, cycle, and kayak in a continuous loop around the planet, covering more than 20,000 miles.

“The North Pacific will be the most gruelling part of my whole London2London expedition,” said Outen. “Physically and mentally, I expect to be exhausted most of the time – the distance, the solitude, the weather conditions and my complete isolation will make it hugely challenging. In spite of the challenges and dangers ahead, I still can’t wait to get out there.”

On 1st April, 2011, Outen began her London2London expedition. From London’s Tower Bridge in her kayak, Nelson, she travelled down the Thames and across the English Channel to France. From there she cycled over 10,000 miles on her bicycle, Hercules, through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, China and into Russia’s wild Far East.

Outen then used Nelson and Hercules to paddle and cycle her way over 1,000 miles to Japan via the remote island of Sakhalin. 

Once Outen has completed the trans-pacific segment, she will cycle 3,000 miles from Vancouver to Nova Scotia. For the final major leg, Outen will row nearly 3,000 nautical miles to the UK across the North Atlantic Ocean.

Kokatat has provided Outen with its award winning gear that is relied on by some of the world’s most renowned adventures including:

• Women's GORE-TEX® Expedition Dry Suit

• Women's Polartec® Power Dry® Liner

• GORE-TEX® TecTOUR Anorak

• Guide PFD

• Tributary Hydration System 

• Nomad Bootie

Outen is sharing her stories along the way through her website and social media to hopefully inspire young people to follow their dreams and believe that anything is possible. She is also hoping to raise £100,000 for her four chosen charities – CoppaFeel!, The Jubilee Sailing Trust, MNDA and WaterAid.

For more information on Outen’s and other Kokatat sponsored expeditions visit www.kokatat.com/expeditions .

About Kokatat Watersports Wear

Celebrating over 40 years of innovation, Kokatat is an independently operated, US manufacturer of technical apparel and accessories for water sports. Handcrafted in Arcata, California, Kokatat employees are focused on building the finest functional product for people who work and play on water. Our gear is designed for paddlers, by paddlers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the water all year long and in all weather conditions.

As always, Kokatat continues to support experienced paddlers attempting first descents and expeditions. The company proudly provides the athletes with the best paddling gear in the whitewater industry.

Please visit www.kokatat.com and follow Kokatat on Twitter “@kokatat”