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Relentless: A Story of Grit and Endurance from the First Person to Kayak the Tasman Solo
The story of Scott Donaldson's relentless journey to be the first person to cross the Tasman sea solo in a kayak
Unpredictable and unforgiving, the Tasman Sea is one of the most hostile stretches of water in the world. An Australian adventurer attempted to kayak across in 2007, disappearing without a trace. In 2018 Kiwi adventurer Scott Donaldson spent two months alone at sea to achieve a world first. It was his third attempt, having fallen a heartbreaking 80 kilometres short in 2014.
Donaldson's world first is an inspirational story of dogged perseverance, true Kiwi grit and relentless endurance.
Unpredictable and unforgiving, the Tasman Sea is one of the most hostile stretches of water in the world. An Australian adventurer attempted to kayak across in 2007, disappearing without a trace. In 2018 Kiwi adventurer Scott Donaldson spent two months alone at sea to achieve a world first. It was his third attempt, having fallen a heartbreaking 80 kilometres short in 2014.
Donaldson's world first is an inspirational story of dogged perseverance, true Kiwi grit and relentless endurance.
272 pages, ebook
Published August 1, 2019
6 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Scott Donaldson
28 books10 followersScott Donaldson was one of the nation's leading literary biographers. His books include the acclaimed Edwin Arlington Robinson: A Poet's Life and Archibald MacLeish: An American Life, which won the Ambassador Book Award for biography. His other works are Poet in America: Winfield Townley Scott; By Force of Will: The Life and Art of Ernest Hemingway; Fool for Love: F. Scott Fitzgerald; John Cheever: A Biography; and Hemingway vs. Fitzgerald: The Rise and Fall of a Literary Friendship.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 9, 2019
Relentless: A Story of Grit and Endurance from the First Person to Kayak the Tasman Solo
by Scott Donaldson
The story of Scott Donaldson's relentless journey to be the first person to cross the Tasman sea solo in a kayak Unpredictable and unforgiving, the Tasman Sea is one of the most hostile stretches of water in the world. An Australian adventurer attempted to kayak across in 2007, disappearing without a trace. In 2018 Kiwi adventurer Scott Donaldson spent two months alone at sea to achieve a world first. It was his third attempt, having fallen a heartbreaking 80 kilometres short in 2014.
This book is such a testament to Scott's fortitude and courage and is a fascinating read. Twice Scott had abandoned his crossing of the Tasman sea, because he knew his limits, he had no comms, no safety equipment and no power when he abandoned his second attempt insight of Mt Taranaki.
In his words the Tasman sea is nasty piece of water, the shifting currents, the Weather and the way it moves.
Scott Donaldson is a modern day Ed Hillary, he's a modest man who writes about the highs and lows of this monumental task. For instance three times he swam underneath his kayak to scrape barnacles off the bottom of his kayak and then he had to strapped into his cuby which was the size of a coffin for six days, he was pushed back 300kms, while he waited for the weather to change.
This is a great read, Scott Donaldson is a very special New Zealander and his story is inspiring.
by Scott Donaldson
The story of Scott Donaldson's relentless journey to be the first person to cross the Tasman sea solo in a kayak Unpredictable and unforgiving, the Tasman Sea is one of the most hostile stretches of water in the world. An Australian adventurer attempted to kayak across in 2007, disappearing without a trace. In 2018 Kiwi adventurer Scott Donaldson spent two months alone at sea to achieve a world first. It was his third attempt, having fallen a heartbreaking 80 kilometres short in 2014.
This book is such a testament to Scott's fortitude and courage and is a fascinating read. Twice Scott had abandoned his crossing of the Tasman sea, because he knew his limits, he had no comms, no safety equipment and no power when he abandoned his second attempt insight of Mt Taranaki.
In his words the Tasman sea is nasty piece of water, the shifting currents, the Weather and the way it moves.
Scott Donaldson is a modern day Ed Hillary, he's a modest man who writes about the highs and lows of this monumental task. For instance three times he swam underneath his kayak to scrape barnacles off the bottom of his kayak and then he had to strapped into his cuby which was the size of a coffin for six days, he was pushed back 300kms, while he waited for the weather to change.
This is a great read, Scott Donaldson is a very special New Zealander and his story is inspiring.
October 6, 2019
7/10 isn’t bad. It is an amazing story and I won’t repeat the plot. Maybe it should have been called ‘Perseverance’ as that was a key attribute of the author. Under what I’d call unbelievable conditions, the challenge was met. I have no doubt that this ‘stuff of legend’ is why humans grow and excel, in positive ways. A great read for teenagers I reckon.
November 21, 2019
I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I looked at this book, the cover looked interesting- yes I know never judge a book by its cover. Anyway the book is well written and no sailing jargon which I was expecting, so he just concentrated on his building the boat and rowing the Tasman.
April 13, 2021
I found this gripping reading. Of course it helps that I kayak and live in Coffs Harbour but also feel I would have enjoyed this if those things weren't the case. The lead up was interesting, the paddling triumphs and lows well explained. I would definetly recommend folks read this.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews