Solo Kayaker Set To Make Second Attempt To Paddle To Hawaii

Last June, French-born U.S. citizen Cyril Derreumaux set out to kayak solo and unsupported from San Francisco Bay to Hawaii aboard a 23-foot-long custom carbon fiber kayak. The voyage has been completed by paddle power just twice before—first by Ed Gillet in 1987 and then by Antonia de la Rosa aboard a souped up SUP in 2019.

Derreumaux halted his attempt after just a week due to equipment failure. Next month he sets out again on a new attempt.

Since his first attempt in 2021, specific modifications were made to his custom craft, including:

• Modification of the sea anchor system and its lines, to the rudder, to the daggerboard well.
• Specific training in high wind situations off the coast of Santa Cruz, California
• Installation of a satellite communication system with an external antenna enabling him to make phone calls and emails from inside the cabin
• Customs side panels were added to prevent side entry of water into the cockpit
• Addition of a manual bilge pump inside the cockpit, to second the electric one

Fast Facts:

• Cyril Derreumaux was born September 5th, 1976 in Lille, France
• Father of Oliver, 16, and Simon, 13
• Cyril gained 10 lbs for the crossing, knowing he would lose 25lbs
• As an ultra-endurance athlete, Derreumaux has a long list of expeditions under his belt. In the summer of 2016, he successfully rowed from California to Hawaii, in an expedition of just under 40 days, earning him and his teammates a Guinness World Record for the fastest crossing.

About The Trip:

• Journey will begin in early June 2022, weather permitting
• Solo and unsupported from California to Hawaii—2,750 miles (4,444 kilometers)
• Expected time: 60 to 70 days
• Calories ingested daily approx. 6,000 vs. Calories used: 8,000
• Typical day: wake up, breakfast. Start paddling at sunrise, for a first four to five hours. Break for lunch. Another paddling session of four to five hours. Maybe more if conditions are good. Sunset, prepare for the night. Wake up every two hours during night to check on boat. Start over till he gets to Hawaii.

About The Craft:

• The craft is a single kayak with cabin, measuring seven meters long (23 feet). Made of carbon / epoxy composite.
• Cabin is a fully sealable self-righting survival “pod”
• Propulsion by kayak paddles with the possibility of using the Hobie Mirage Drive as a backup and alternative option for safety or in the event of injury.
• Empty hull weight estimate: 176 lbs. Estimated weight full is 800 lbs.

Boat Building:

• Building began October 20th, 2019, in England
• Designers are Rob Feloy & Daniel Davy. Daniel is a Naval Architect and Rob has extensive previous experience in designing kayaks and small craft. Dan and Rob have collaborated on various previous projects from kayaks to rowing boats including the successful “Trans-Tasman” double kayak.
• Build carried out by Rob’s company Inuk Kayaks. Inuk Kayaks have previously designed and build various long distance expedition craft including Peter Bray’s North Atlantic crossing kayak, Justin & James “Trans-Tasman” double kayak, Olly Hicks’ “Shetland Bus” kayak and again Olly’s Greenland to Scotland double kayak.

For updates and progress reports, follow the voyage here.