By Peter Gladwell
Sydney Morning Herald

Sailing from Sydney to Hobart is risky enough, but imagine paddling it in a sea kayak!

This is exactly what Manly interior designer Karl Noonan has just achieved, taking 69 days to accomplish the incredible feat.

Mr Noonan arrived at Constitution Dock, Hobart, at noon last Friday to a warm reception from locals. It is believed to be the first time anyone has done the 630 nautical mile trip unassisted.

Mr Noonan had battled monster waves, gales and the potentially hazardous trip across Bass Strait in his 5.8m Mirage 19 sea kayak. "You certainly have your moments - there are high risks in coming through the surf at the end of each day to camp on the beach" he said. "Every afternoon I approached the beaches of Victoria with trepidation because of the huge surf. It was also scary going across Bass Straight because the changes in the weather are notorious."

Mr Noonan said this trip was physically and mentally demanding but he enjoyed every minute of it. "Every day there was a lesson to be learned as I was adding to my skill and experience," he said. He had many memorable moments on the tour, including just getting on to a Bass Strait island only minutes before a storm hit.

Mr Noonan also remembered having a seal suddenly jump up on to the front of the kayak, look at him and then slide back into the water. While he was alone on his trip, Mr Noonan benefited from a Global Positioning System as well as a radio, mobile phone and other high-tech equipment to get information about weather and tidal conditions along the way.

His next journey is even more ambitious - Sydney to Tokyo- spreading goodwill along the way Mr Noonan said it would take a huge effort involving many other kayakers to plan such a trip.

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