Author(s): Tara Mulvany

New Zealand | Sport

A Long Cold Paddle is the story of a journey around the coast of New Zealand’s South Island during winter. Inspired by a three-month sea kayak journey through Fiordland, 23-year-old Tara Mulvany set off from Milford Sound in May 2012 with her boyfriend, Sim Grigg, on a mission to circumnavigate the South Island by sea kayak. Embarking on an adventure never before attempted in winter, they faced countless storms with gale-force winds and pounding surf, which trapped them on land for days at a time. But after these violent weather systems passed, they experienced the magic of golden sunsets and glowing sunrises on calm seas, and had many encounters with marine life. Surf landings in the dark, capsizes, and even losing each other for several days on a remote stretch of the West Coast added to the difficulties, and halfway into their journey their relationship reached a melting point. Tara was faced with a difficult decision: to either call it an end, or to keep going. She chose to continue alone. Two months later she paddled back into Milford Sound, finally completing the circumnavigation in October 2012. She became the youngest person to sea kayak around the South Island, and the first to have done it in winter. Told through the eyes of the young kiwi adventurer, this is a gripping account of her journey and the challenges faced along the way. Ultimately, A Long Cold Paddle is a story of unwavering determination on a great adventure that is sure to inspire readers young and old.