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LIVE: Scott Donaldson arrives in New Plymouth as the first person to cross the Tasman solo in a kayak Posted by nzherald.co.nz on Monday, 2 July 2018

"Absolutely knackered" after 62 days at sea, Kiwi Scott Donaldson made history on Monday night, becoming the first person to paddle a kayak solo between Australia and New Zealand.

Donaldson reached the shore at Ngāmotu Beach in New Plymouth at 8.44pm to be greeted by several hundred cheering supporters.

Tired and dishevelled, he was helped ashore then mobbed by loved ones as light rain began to fall.

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Photo / Ilona Hanne

Scott Donaldson with son Zac and wife Sarah soon after he made landfall tonight. Photo / Ilona Hanne

A crowd of about 350 had gathered on Ngāmotu Beach braving chilly 11C temperatures to await the transtasman kayaker's arrival.

Family and friends, including Donaldson's wife Sarah and their 8-year-old son Zac, waited at the yacht club before venturing out as he neared the shore.

After being helped on to land, Donaldson stood outside the yacht club flanked by his wife and son to thank his supporters for turning out.

He was then presented with a box of beer by New Plymouth mayor Neil Holdom before filling out a Customs declaration.

Zac told his exhausted dad that he smelled and needed a shower.

Donaldson, 48, left Coffs Harbour on New South Wales' north coast two months ago on May 2, and has been paddling for up to 16 hours a day.

Scott Donaldson fills out his Customs declaration. Photo / Ilona Hanne

Sarah said her husband hadn't been on dry land since May 18 - when he landed on Lord Howe Island - and he was particularly craving a steak-and-vegetable pie.

It was his third transtasman attempt.

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Speaking to media, Donaldson admitted he was "absolutely knackered".

"No one said it was going to be easy."

He said on a good day he was paddling 16 hours. On a bad day he was stuck in a cabin but on worse days he was "going backwards".

Becoming emotional, Donaldson said he had lost family and friends during his expedition, which was incredibly hard not to be part of.

Coming ashore was a "sensory overload" after seeing nothing but water and birds for two months.

"Last time was an adventure, this time was a race."

He apologised for taking his time on the final leg, which he described as special.

"I definitely did stuff I didn't think I could do. I challenged myself to the max.

"When you're trapped inside a cabin and you have five days of going backwards ... that's challenging every minute of the day.

"Some days I paddled to the point of exhaustion and then got up the next day and did it all again."

Describing a close encounter with a shark, Donaldson said it was a "frisky little bugger", several metres in length.

Another hairy moment was bobbing in a "little carbon conductor" during a fierce lightning storm trying not to be struck by a bolt of electricity.

The biggest wave he encountered was about six metres, he said.

Asked what was next he replied: "Family time."

His wife admitted some nervous moments but said she knew Donaldson had the mental and physical skills.

She said she couldn't wait to have him home.

Awaiting Donaldson's arrival at Ngāmotu Beach. Photo / Ilona Hanne

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tweeted on Monday night in recognition of Donaldson's achievement.

"There are some accomplishments that are difficult to fathom - like crossing the Tasman solo in a kayak. I'm pretty sure Scott Donaldson has stunned us all. Truly amazing."

There are some accomplishments that are difficult to fathom - like crossing the Tasman solo in a kayak. I’m pretty sure Scott Donaldson has stunned us all. Truly amazing. — Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) July 2, 2018

Donaldson used the transtasman kayak attempt to raise funds for asthma research, a disease both he and his young son suffer from.

His second attempt at the crossing in 2014 was thwarted just under 80km out from the end point when he lost his rudder and was unable to recharge his radio batteries.

These issues, combined with head and chest injuries he received in a particularly rough night at sea caused him to abandon the attempt and he was winched from the water to safety.

The path Donaldson took since May 18 - when he landed on Lord Howe Island. Photo / http://tasmankayak.com

Now, four years later, he has managed to beat the elements and achieve his goal, scoring himself a place in history as the first person to kayak solo the 2200km of ocean between Sydney and New Plymouth.

Donaldson's crossing this time hasn't been without incident either, with stormy weather and shark issues making for some nail-biting moments.

He and his wife have stayed in contact via a satellite phone during his crossing and in one conversation they had in late May, he told her about his encounter with a large shark.

He said the shark, about 2.5m in length, chased him, trying to bite the kayak's rudder.

A couple of weeks later, in mid-June, a fierce lightning storm also caused concern for the team when it hit the area he was navigating through.

With both the kayak and the paddle made of carbon fibre, this left Donaldson anxious until the storm passed because carbon fibre is an excellent conductor of electricity.

He had to sit the storm out to avoid moving his paddle through the air while the storm raged around him.</s>In this June 30, 2018, photo provided by Tasman Kayak, Scott Donaldson paddles his kayak in the Tasman Sea. Donaldson has become the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman Sea after arriving at the New Zealand town of New Plymouth, Monday, July 2, 2018, two months after leaving from Coffs Harbour on Australia's east coast. (Tasman Kayak via AP) less

In this June 30, 2018, photo provided by Tasman Kayak, Scott Donaldson paddles his kayak in the Tasman Sea. Donaldson has become the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman Sea after arriving at the New ... more

In this June 30, 2018, photo, provided by Tasman Kayak, Scott Donaldson paddles his kayak in the Tasman Sea. Donaldson has become the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman Sea after arriving at the New Zealand town of New Plymouth, Monday, July 2, 2018, two months after leaving from Coffs Harbour on Australia's east coast. (Tasman Kayak via AP) less

In this June 30, 2018, photo, provided by Tasman Kayak, Scott Donaldson paddles his kayak in the Tasman Sea. Donaldson has become the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman Sea after arriving at the New ... more

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A New Zealand man on Monday became the first person to kayak solo across the daunting stretch of water that separates New Zealand from Australia.

Scott Donaldson looked weary and a little bedraggled when he raised his arms in jubilation after making landfall at the New Zealand town of New Plymouth, exactly two months after leaving from Coffs Harbour on Australia's east coast.

The 48-year-old was helped by supporters up a beach, where dozens of people had gathered and waited for hours for him to arrive.

"I've got no words at the moment," Donaldson told them. "That was kind of epic."

He said his final few hours were "fantastic" because he was able to see the land ahead and the lights of civilization. He added that he needed a shower, before being processed by border control officials.

The 2,100-kilometer (1,300-mile) passage across the Tasman Sea is regularly hit by fierce storms.

A 2007 crossing attempt by Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley ended in tragedy when McAuley disappeared while within sight of the New Zealand coast. Video footage McAuley had taken of his journey was later recovered and became the basis for a book and a documentary.

Donaldson was forced to abandon a previous attempt in 2014 when he was within sight of the New Zealand coastline after he was hit by a storm.

But this time he was able to complete the journey after surviving a lightning storm and at one point coming close to a large and "frisky" shark. His modified kayak was made from carbon fiber and had a small cabin.

"On a good day, you're paddling for 16 hours," Donaldson told reporters. "On a bad day, you're stuck in the cabin. And on a worse day, you're going backward."

Donaldson said his arrival was giving him sensory overload.

"I've seen water for the last, I don't know how many days it was, and that's all you see," he said. "A couple of birds, some fish, but it's just water."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern posted a message about the journey on Twitter.

"There are some accomplishments that are difficult to fathom — like crossing the Tasman solo in a kayak," she wrote. "I'm pretty sure Scott Donaldson has stunned us all. Truly amazing."

Donaldson said there was an upside to being alone on the ocean without any screens or other worldly distractions: "It's very pure."</s>New Zealander completes first solo kayak across Tasman Sea

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A New Zealand man has become the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman Sea.

Scott Donaldson looked weary and a little bedraggled when he raised his arms in jubilation Monday night. He was helped up a beach by supporters after arriving at the New Zealand town of New Plymouth, two months after leaving from Coffs Harbour on Australia's east coast.

The 48-year-old told dozens of supporters who gathered on the beach to greet him that the journey was "epic" and that he could find no further words to describe it. He added that he needed a shower. He was then processed by border control officials.

The 2,100-kilometer (1,300-mile) passage is regularly hit by fierce storms. Donaldson was forced to abandon a previous attempt in 2014.</s>New Zealander Scott Donaldson becomes first person to completes solo kayak across Tasman Sea

A New Zealand man has become the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman Sea.

Scott Donaldson looked weary and a little bedraggled when he raised his arms in jubilation on Monday night.

He was helped up a beach by supporters after arriving at the New Zealand town of New Plymouth, two months after leaving from Coffs Harbour on Australia's east coast.

The 48-year-old told dozens of supporters who gathered on the beach to greet him that the journey was "epic" and that he could find no further words to describe it.

He added that he needed a shower. He was then processed by border control officials.

'We just need to finish that job off'

The 2,200-kilometre passage is regularly hit by fierce storms and Mr Donaldson was forced to abandon a previous attempt in 2014.

He came within 80 kilometres of New Zealand and was within site of Mount Taranaki when he was famously winched to safety.

"We got a bit smashed out there and all the safety gear was basically wrecked and our safety options were dwindling, so we had to make the call and it was a once in 40-year storm blowing us back to Australia at that time."

An unrepairable rudder made him late and put extra pressure on the gear before he was rescued.

This time Mr Donaldson had an improved carbon fibre kayak which weighed significantly less than the old model, and he carried dehydrated food for the 62-day journey.

"I have a bit of a magic mix of carbohydrate and protein and electrolyte drinks, which all sounds very easy but when you've got to have two hands on a kayak paddle, it can get quite tricky sometimes," he said prior to his departure.</s>New Zealander completes first solo kayak across Tasman Sea

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A New Zealand man on Monday became the first person to kayak solo across the daunting stretch of water that separates New Zealand from Australia.

Scott Donaldson looked weary and a little bedraggled when he raised his arms in jubilation after making landfall at the New Zealand town of New Plymouth, exactly two months after leaving from Coffs Harbour on Australia's east coast.

The 48-year-old was helped by supporters up a beach, where dozens of people had gathered and waited for hours for him to arrive.

"I've got no words at the moment," Donaldson told them. "That was kind of epic."

He said his final few hours were "fantastic" because he was able to see the land ahead and the lights of civilization. He added that he needed a shower, before being processed by border control officials.

The 2,100-kilometer (1,300-mile) passage across the Tasman Sea is regularly hit by fierce storms.

A 2007 crossing attempt by Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley ended in tragedy when McAuley disappeared while within sight of the New Zealand coast. Video footage McAuley had taken of his journey was later recovered and became the basis for a book and a documentary.

Donaldson was forced to abandon a previous attempt in 2014 when he was within sight of the New Zealand coastline after he was hit by a storm.

But this time he was able to complete the journey after surviving a lightning storm and at one point coming close to a large and "frisky" shark. His modified kayak was made from carbon fiber and had a small cabin.

"On a good day, you're paddling for 16 hours," Donaldson told reporters. "On a bad day, you're stuck in the cabin. And on a worse day, you're going backward."

Donaldson said his arrival was giving him sensory overload.

"I've seen water for the last, I don't know how many days it was, and that's all you see," he said. "A couple of birds, some fish, but it's just water."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern posted a message about the journey on Twitter.

"There are some accomplishments that are difficult to fathom — like crossing the Tasman solo in a kayak," she wrote. "I'm pretty sure Scott Donaldson has stunned us all. Truly amazing."

Donaldson said there was an upside to being alone on the ocean without any screens or other worldly distractions: "It's very pure."</s>Coffs resident Scott Donaldson to make landfall on NZ coast tonight in third attempt to become first person to kayak across the Tasman solo.

Coffs resident Scott Donaldson to make landfall on NZ coast tonight in third attempt to become first person to kayak across the Tasman solo. Contributed

IT LOOKS like it's going to be third time lucky for adventurer Scott Donaldson.

After almost a total of two months spent isolated at the Tasman Sea, Donaldson is about to make history as the first person to successfully kayak from Australia to New Zealand solo - a victory for the father-of-two who had attempted the incredible feat two times in the past.

The risky voyage saw the disappearance and presumed death of kayaker Andrew McAuley back in 2007, his kayak found floating roughly 56km off the coast of NZ.

Donaldson, a kiwi expat who now resides in Coffs Harbour, is expected to make landfall at New Plymouth's Ngamotu Beach between between 6-7pm this evening.

He was last reported by his land-based team to be around 65km off the coast on Sunday evening.

Donaldson departed from the Coffs Coast on May 2 and paddled 586km to Lord Howe Island within 10 days.

He resumed his journey on May 18 and has been paddling to this day.

A support boat met with Donaldson in the early hours of Friday morning to re-stock his supplies for the final leg of the journey.

"We have to remember, Scott has been out there alone in the Tasman Sea now for six weeks since he left Lord Howe Island," team leader Nigel Escott said in a statement.

"So, seeing a few friendly faces will give him a huge lift.

"We've restocked Scott with some of his favourite foods, so he's enjoyed some sausage rolls, a few chicken sandwiches and some Peanut Slabs. We've also taken the opportunity to make sure his on-board batteries are fully charged and everything is set for this final phase of the trip."

Donaldson, an asthma sufferer, is raising funds for Asthma research. Donations can be made here.</s>PHYSICALLY exhausted and sporting a two-month growth, Scott Donaldson tonight made landfall in New Zealand becoming the first man to kayak unaided across the Tasman Sea.

Embracing his wife Sarah on the sands of Ngamotu Beach, New Plymouth, under the glow of fireworks and to sound of loud applause, Donaldson cut a weary figure.

"We've invested everything into this - financial, emotional, just everything," Sarah Donaldson told New Zealand media.

"I think the emotion has been under the surface over last few months, it may all come out tonight," the local physiotherapist told New Zealand Media.

It has been eight weeks since the local Kiwi football coach paddled from Jetty Beach in Coffs Harbour.

After reaching Lord Howe he spent a week riding out a storm and testing his equipment, and in total spent 62 days at sea.

Even New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has praised his epic effort taking to Twitter: "There are some accomplishments that are difficult to fathom - like crossing the Tasman solo in a kayak. I'm pretty sure Scott Donaldson has stunned us all. Truly amazing.

Donaldson's first words when asked about the trip were that it was an 'epic' voyage and he was 'absolutely knackered', before he checked into Customs.

'I'm done sitting', he said, when offered a seat at the press conference.

The achievement has taken weeks to complete, but has been years in the making.

On his last attempt, Scott Donaldson was famously rescued by helicopter in 2014 after he was injured when his kayak rolled in big seas, just 80km off the New Zealand coastline, within view of Mount Taranaki.

He is the first kayaker to achieve the feat, while countryman Colin Quincey rowed the 2,500km voyage in 1977, with his son Shaun repeating the crossing by row boat in 2010.</s>Kayaker Scott Donaldson is expected to complete a 1,300-mile, six-week journey from Australia to New Zealand when he lands on New Plymouth, New Zealand, on July 2 evening. Video taking by his support crew on June 28 shows him about 180 km from his destination at Ngamotu Beach. Donaldson, whose was rescued near Taranaki during after his first trans-Tasman attempt failed in 2014, is poised to become the first person to cross the Tasman Sea on a kayak, according to the NZ Herald. His initiative aims to raise funds for asthma research. Credit: F2 Communications via Storyful</s>After two months and more than 2000km of ocean, an adventurer has finished the first-ever solo kayak voyage across the Tasman.

Scott Donaldson departed Coffs Harbour in NSW on May 2 and put his feet on New Zealand soil on Monday night.

Guided by lights and fireworks, and greeted by a cheering crowd of hundreds, the Kiwi ex-pat paddled ashore at Ngamotu Beach in New Plymouth, on the North Island at about 8.30pm.

Wife Sarah and their eight-year-old son, Zac, ran out into the water for a hug before Donaldson was carried through the whistling spectators and past the occasional cry of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie".

"I've got no words at the moment. That was kind of epic ... Just seeing the land, the lights and being able to come here on target is just a perfect ending," he said after catching his breath.

During the trip, the 47-year-old had to contend with six-metre swells and fend off aggressive sharks going for his rudder.

He also waited out a storm for seven days at Lord Howe Island on the way.

Donaldson's arrival on soil makes him the first person to kayak from Australia to New Zealand and closes a nine-year campaign.

In 2014, he came eye-waveringly close, but had to be rescued just 80km from land after 84 days at sea.

The multi-sport athlete had planned the trip for five years, only to be left battered and bruised by a once-in-a-generation storm and afterwards ruled out another try.

He moved to Coffs Habour in 2014 in preparation for the attempt.

"This is nine years in the making and a lot of, you know, as you can imagine, emotional, financial investment into this," Sarah Donaldson told Radio New Zealand this week.

An asthma sufferer, Donaldson has used the journey as a way to raise money for asthma research.</s>A New Zealand man yesterday became the first person to kayak solo across the daunting stretch of water that separates New Zealand from Australia.

Scott Donaldson looked weary and a little bedraggled when he raised his arms in jubilation after making landfall at the New Zealand town of New Plymouth, exactly two months after leaving from Coffs Harbour on Australia’s east coast.

The 48-year-old was helped by supporters up a beach, where dozens of people had gathered and waited for hours for him to arrive.

“I’ve got no words at the moment,” Donaldson told them. “That was kind of epic.”

He said his final few hours were “fantastic” because he was able to see the land ahead and the lights of civilization. He added that he needed a shower, before being processed by border control officials.

The 2,100-kilometer passage across the Tasman Sea is regularly hit by fierce storms.

A 2007 crossing attempt by Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley ended in tragedy when McAuley disappeared while within sight of the New Zealand coast. Video footage McAuley had taken of his journey was later recovered and became the basis for a book and a documentary.

Donaldson was forced to abandon a previous attempt in 2014 when he was within sight of the New Zealand coastline after he was hit by a storm.

But this time he was able to complete the journey after surviving a lightning storm and at one point coming close to a large and “frisky” shark. His modified kayak was made from carbon fiber and had a small cabin.
New Zealander Scott Donaldson becomes the first solo kayaker to successfully cross the Tasman Sea. After 62 days at sea, he landed in Ngāmotu Beach, New Plymouth, at 8.44 pm local time (08:44 UTC).