Kokatat Sponsors Six International Expeditions
Those who are committed to making the planet a better place...
by Liz Lasater
February 1st, 2005

Courtesy of Kokatat

Arcata, CA – As people who spend half their lives on and in global waters, the crew at Kokatat Watersports Wear feel they have a responsibility to devote what they can to the planet and to those who are committed to making it a better place. Through research and discovery, Kokatat sponsored explorers help to educate and increase international awareness of conservation and preservation issues, cultural diversity, Global Warming, historical enrichment, mapping and youth mentoring - to name only a few. By outfitting these beneficial expeditions, Kokatat helps global explorers to achieve their goals safely, comfortably and successfully.

With great pride Kokatat sponsors the following expeditions in 2005:

2220 Expedition

Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard - John Paul Bichard

Part personal challenge, part photo documentary, 2220 is a sixty day kayak expedition beginning in June that will navigate around the entire coastline of Sweden by husband and wife team Louisa Rolandsdotter Bichard and John Paul Bichard. Alongside the personal challenge of a 2220 kilometer paddle (hence the expedition name), the aim is to also record their experiences in an innovative and accessible way. The team will document the Blue Ribbon expedition as a location based photo series by recording the coordinates of their shots as they progress. On their website they will link the images and journal entries to their location on an interactive map of the route. This will allow viewers to share their experiences from where they occurred, get an idea of their impressions of the unfolding landscape and explore their encounters with weather, sea and wildlife.

http://www.hydropia.org/2220

Bering Strait Odyssey

Dixie Dransercoer and Troy Henkels

In March and April of 2005, polar adventurers Dixie Dransercoer and Troy Henkels will attempt a double-back traverse of the Bering Strait, a never-before accomplished feat. Their goal is to reach Siberia from Alaska on foot and then return to Alaskan shores in the same manner. Although short on distance (56 miles), the challenges are great and range from ocean currents, leads (open water), frostbite, storms and polar bears. Due to the extreme conditions on the Strait, specially developed equipment is required; sleds that serve as water craft, tents that float, and traction kites are all necessary. As a result of Global Warming, confrontation with open water is imminent; Kokatat Expedition Drysuits will be keeping the explorers warm and dry during their journey. The Bering Strait Odyssey will highlight Native Cultures of Alaska and Russia, increase awareness of Global Warming, and bring unprecedented visibility to UNICEF.

http://www.beringodyssey.com

Borealis Paddling Expedition

Meg Casey, Nina Emery, Beth Halley, Karen Stanley and Emily Stirr

These women have been exploring the waters of Northern Wisconsin and Canada since before they were big enough to portage canoes on their own. All long-time campers and staff members at Camp Manito-wish YMCA, a wilderness tripping and leadership organization for youth ages 10-17, these five women are planning a 90-day canoeing expedition through Northern Canada during the summer of 2005. The main drive of their expedition is to raise funds for an endowment that will extend to new generations of paddlers the Manito-wish experience that has played a uniquely powerful role in each of their lives. Beginning at Wollaston Lake in Northern Saskatchewan, their route covers over 1,200 miles of Canadian Wilderness. Traveling through Boreal forest and Arctic tundra, these women will encounter expansive lakes and challenging whitewater as they paddle the Fond du Lac, Dubawnt and Back Rivers, completing their journey at Chantrey Inlet on the Arctic Ocean.

http://www.borealispaddlingexpedition.com

Hudson Bay Expedition

Scott Miller and Todd Foster

In May 2005, Scott Miller and Todd Foster will embark upon a 2250-mile historical canoe expedition from Saint Cloud to Hudson Bay. Todd and Scott were inspired to take the trip after reading "Canoeing with the Cree" by Eric Sevareid, a book that recounts Sevareid's trip with his friend Walter Port along the same route in 1930. 2005 marks the 75th anniversary of Sevareid and Port's trip. The primary objectives of the voyage are to examine how the rivers and lakes along the route have changed in 75 years and draw attention to their continuing beauty and efforts to preserve and restore them, to celebrate the lives of the diverse people who live along the rivers and lakes along the route, and to provide educational opportunities about canoeing, wilderness, Minnesota, Canada and caring for the environment.

http://www.hudsonbayexpedition.com

One World Expedition

Lonnie Dupree and Eric Larsen

In May of 2005, polar explorers Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen will embark on a history-making expedition – the first summer crossing of the Arctic. Their four-month journey crosses the frozen ice cap from Cape Arcitchesky, Siberia to the geographic North Pole, then on to Ellesmere Island, Canada. The expedition hopes to create awareness of global climate change. "The Arctic climate is now warming rapidly and much larger changes are projected," claims the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA), funded by the United States, Canada, Russia, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Lonnie was named one of five 2004 Rolex Laureates on September 29, 2004 at a ceremony in Paris. The Rolex Awards for Enterprise are given every two years to provide visionary men and women worldwide with the financial support and recognition needed to carry out innovative projects that expand human knowledge or improve the lot of mankind.

http://www.oneworldexpedition.com

Paddle the Passage: The Danish Northwest Passage Expedition - 2005

Ravn Hamberg and Peter Unold

The seaway to the Orient has been the major driving force in the exploration and mapping of the earth. For centuries, people dreamed of a route north of America because the two southern seaways to Asia, southeast of Africa and southwest of South America, were long and fraught with peril. Sir Martin Forbisher was the first to make a serious attempt to find a passage through the ice and archipelago in 1576. He did not succeed. Many attempts were made after Forbisher, though to no avail until three decades later when in 1905 Roald Amundsen, the captain of an American whaling ship, conquered the passage – more than once. The purpose of this 2005 summer expedition is to first and foremost prove that the Northwest Passage is passable by kayak in a single season; second, to pay tribute to Roald Amundsen and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first crossing through the Northwest Passage; and third, to document the historic expeditions that form the background for Amundsen’s travels.