Kayaker Jack ready for epic coastline charity challenge
A kayaker is hoping lockdown restrictions will be eased in time for an epic paddle around Scotland – including the beautiful Argyll coastline.
Later this summer Jack Gatacre plans to travel almost 700 miles in a fortnight with his Taran 18 kayak to raise money for charity.
The journey will start and finish in the fishing village of Pittenweem, Fife, and take him as far north as Elgin and as far south as Westport, Kintyre.
Jack is raising money for The Fishermen’s Mission in honour of his girlfriend’s father who is now retired from 50 years of fishing out of Pittenweem, where he still lives.
Jack's epic kayak tour will pass Edinburgh, Falkirk, enter the Forth and Clyde Canal to Glasgow, then pass the isle of Arran, Kintyre, Jura, Scarba, Mull and Fort William before joining the Caledonian Canal past Loch Lochy, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness and Inverness, then entering the North Sea to pass Nairn, Lossiemouth, Buckie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Aberdeen, Montrose, Arbroath, Dundee and St Andrews before returning to Pittenweem.
‘Whilst fishing is a great and noble trade, culture and way of life, it can also be difficult and dangerous for fishermen and their families,’ said Jack.
‘This year has been particularly difficult for fishermen financially as COVID-19 has reduced the value of their catch to such an extent it is currently not economical to leave the harbour in their boats. The Fishermen’s Mission aims to help by providing financial assistance, support and life saving during storms.’
His Scottish Kayak Tour marks a return to charity fundraising on the water for Jack, who two years ago paddled unsupported from London to Land's End in two weeks to raise £4,000 for the MS Society.
‘I was inspired to do the challenge by a colleague who suffers from this condition, but back then I was a less experienced kayaker with a slower kayak and was not sponsored, but it gained a large amount of attention and publicity for the MS Society.’
For his Scottish tour, 28-year-old Jack explained: ‘I would aim to kayak about 50 miles a day between dusk and dawn to capture the landscape in different light and weather, sleeping in a tent.
‘I regularly take photos and even make videos at sea during kayak expeditions. I have a friend who is professional film maker who may be able to accompany me for filming at certain stretches.’
He added: ‘The Argyll coast is beautiful and remote in places, but also challenging as there are strong tides, potential storms and fast changes in weather.
‘I hope I will get to know it well when I pass by in August. I am very excited about it.’
Jack is casting his own net for company sponsorship, offering publicity for sponsors through his Instagram page and a professional logo on his kayak for people to see as he makes his way around Scotland.
Looking further ahead, he hopes the challenge of kayaking in Scotland will stand him in good stead for a canoe voyage from London to Istanbul and southern Turkey over a few months. If you would like to sponsor Jack's Scottish Kayak Tour, email jackgatacre@googlemail.com.
To donate to Jack's fundraising total for The Fishermen’s Mission, visit the Just Giving website and search ‘Jack’s Scottish Kayak Tour Late Summer 2020’.