Leaving from the Australian National Maritime Museum, in Cockle Bay, Australia on January 6, 2007, James Castrission and Justin Jones will attempt the first ever crossing of the Tasman sea from Australia to New Zealand by sea kayak.

We’ve all been talking about this trip for awhile now. It seems there is a certain palpable intensity to the “Crossing The Ditch” expedition. It could be just the immensity of the challenge. 2200km across the Tasman sea is no minor pleasure cruise. You got some sense of the seriousness of this when they delayed the trip until January to have a bit more time to get it right.

It could be the way this expedition was planned. Their uniquely professional approach became a featured article, “Lessons from Crossing The Ditch” by the Dynamic Small Business Network. (Certainly worth a read to anyone planning an expedition. (Or starting a business for that matter) DSBN noted how James & Justin used their university degrees and corporate experience to approach this expedition like a business venture. Something that is not so strange considering the over $180,000 that would be needed to make this attempt. About half of that was the cost of the kayak.

I’ve also been amazed by the incredible amount of technology brought to bear through the assistance of Race Recon. They have been providing assistance with project management, ground support, web casting, real-time tracking, interactive maps and much more. These guys defiantly got their ducks in a row.

On the sixth day of the new year all their months of in depth prep will come down to a big, white, supply laden, self-rightable custom kayak (see video describing the kayak) slipping into the sea. There will be no sails on this one. (something a bit un-Australian about that. . .) Just two humans under their own power, stroke by stroke, meter by meter, toward an unseen island somewhere out over an undulating eastern horizon. If all goes well, some 45 days later they will arrive on the coast of New Zealand wet, tired and looking for a pint.

I invite you to visit their website www.crossingtheditch.com.au. From here you will have an unprecedented opportunity to follow along on an amazing journey. Watch their web casts, follow their progress in real time, buy a t-shirt, and so much more. And don’t forget to check out their party pictures as well!!

The Crossing The Ditch challenge is being done in support of the Sydney Children’s Hospital Randwick and sponsored by these folks. I’m sure many of us from all over the world will be watching and wishing them every success. Good luck guys!!

thanks to james, justin & Race Recon for their help and use of the images.