Arctic by SUP: Documenting the Last Wild Place

Next summer, I will continue on my third season of a multi-season effort to paddle 1,900 miles of the Northwest Passage by SUP.

What began as an ego-driven desire to paddle the fabled Northwest Passage by Standup Paddleboard in a single season…quickly evolved into a deep love affair with the Arctic, and a desire to slow down and dive deeper into the human/ wilderness bond.

Every day we read headlines describing species loss, climate change and a long list of other human-induced alterations to planet earth. The Arctic is ground zero of these cumulative effects. While the Arctic is still wild, humbling, beautiful and vibrant, it is changing more quickly than any other place on earth. It is my goal to show anyone who will engage just how delicate, and heart-achingly beautiful, the Arctic is. And with that, how ephemeral and beautiful our lives are…in the Arctic…or anywhere.

I will show you what it sounds and feels like to walk a rocky beach where the crunch of gravel is the only sound. Or the breaths of a pod of Beluga as they slip past. Or the sound of the endless breeze in your ears.

The number of people who have transited the Northwest Passage solo can be counted on two hands. No one has done it by Standup Paddleboard. I am transiting the Northwest Passage in the most vulnerable and exposed fashion possible. Exactly what I wanted. The demands of this project have proved to be a deep dive into personal spiritual growth.

So far, I have paddled almost 900 miles over two seasons unsupported from Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories Canada, to Kugluktuk, Nunavut, Canada. In 2025, in an effort to mitigate the increased risks of the final leg, I will be supported by a freighter canoe to complete my journey to Pond Inlet. Pond Inlet is 1,000 miles East of Kugluktuk, my starting point this year. I will reach Pond Inlet by paddling the entire way. The canoe will be able to carry gear, including connectivity, allowing me to livestream and share the intimacy of Arctic with you.

With this extra support, comes extra costs… but also the priceless opportunity to share the experience with you and all those who crave to see a world that is rapidly disappearing. We need to supply food, gear and spares for the support vessel crew, as well as logistics. Lastly we will need to acquire the technology to share my journey including live streaming, video and imagery of the wildlife, land and waters of the Northwest Passage.

Adding a support vessel is more than just for safety and ease. The canoe will allow me to partially mitigate the risks of the upcoming large and exposed crossings (more ice, bears, wolves and walrus), and also fewer options for resupply. The added support will allow me to paddle further each day (and have more fun doing it) and bring along multiple paddleboards: even a surfboard for those moments I find a wave to surf!

The last two summers, daily range was limited by space and weight on the board (I have had no resupplies on each leg…I start paddling with everything I need for the entire season), which has averaged about 400 pounds, including several days worth of water, my shotgun, food, camping supplies and myself. To pull a 400 pound loaded Standup Paddleboard through choppy Arctic waters using only a paddle truly is a superhuman feat. Nevertheless, it made each day a mission to survive, rather than to thrive.

With this support vessel, I can take more time to document and share the journey, go further each day, and have time to wait out storms as they arrive. Or…just walk the land, studying…piecing together the story.

This final 1,000 miles to completion at Pond Inlet will be vastly more enjoyable and fruitful with the support of the canoe. With your support we can make this journey available to you, and others, to join and experience the beauty and wonder of the Arctic.

Thank you for your support.