05/08/2026
I can't help but feel that Paul Caffyn doesn't receive anywhere near the recognition he deserves.
In New Zealand, we rightly celebrate adventurers like Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Peter Blake and Graeme Di**le. Yet Paul Caffyn quietly built a legacy that has inspired sea kayakers and expedition paddlers around the world.
When you stop and think about what he achieved, it's nothing short of remarkable.
He became the first person to kayak solo around Australia, completed pioneering expeditions around Great Britain, New Zealand's North Island, Japan and New Caledonia, and explored some of the wildest coastlines on Earth. These weren't weekend adventures—they were months-long expeditions covering thousands of kilometres in some of the most exposed and unforgiving environments imaginable.
What makes those achievements even more incredible is when they happened.
Much of Paul's expedition career took place before GPS navigation, satellite communicators, mobile phones, digital weather forecasts and lightweight modern equipment became available. Navigation relied on paper charts, compass bearings, dead reckoning and experience. Weather forecasts were limited, communication with the outside world was often impossible, and if something went wrong, rescue was far from guaranteed. His journeys demanded an extraordinary level of preparation, judgement, self-reliance and resilience that is difficult to fully appreciate today.
Over the years I've read about his expeditions and have always been amazed by what he's accomplished. His stories aren't just about kayaking. They're about planning, decision-making under pressure, managing risk, perseverance and having the confidence to keep going when there was no easy way out.
This morning I sent an email to Seamus and Steven from Between Two Beers suggesting they consider inviting Paul onto the podcast. I think he'd make an outstanding guest, and I suspect many listeners would discover one of New Zealand's greatest adventurers.
If you enjoy the podcast and agree that Paul deserves a wider audience, I'd encourage you to send them a quick message as well. Sometimes it only takes a handful of people highlighting someone to help their story reach the audience it deserves.
Who are some other New Zealanders whose achievements deserve far greater recognition?
