Two mates over a bottle of red wine conceived the idea of paddling from the Gold Coast to Cairns in Queensland Australia over an eight week period – Approximately 2000 kilometres. Marty Stone a 54 year old school teacher from the Gold Coast and Dean Tattle a 46 year old business owner also from the Gold Coast with limited ocean going paddling experience will leave the 7th of August 2016 in two Epic 18x Sport Sea Kayaks, 100 kgs of equipment in each and will paddle eight weeks heading North. Dean has named his kayak Black Magic after yachtsman Peter Blakes winning Americas cup boat and Marty has named his kayak Gracious Joy after two important women in his life. We will maintain a blog of our trip as we go – Marty teaches year one children and will keep contact with his class via this website with posts and pictures of the trip. We will share our adventure with our family and friends as we go. Two crazy Kiwis taking on the Queensland Coast – Wish us luck 🙂 DT.
redwinekayaks 
This is so inspiring, all the best Marty
Cheers Kate
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Kate, thank you… I so hope it also inspires our kids to reach for their goals too… had an awesome smile and encouragement from Michealla today.. that made my day
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Looking forward to following your ocean travels Marty. May the wind be at your back and the sun on your face. Smooth Paddling!
Cheers Sam & Sebastian
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Thanks Sam And Sebastian… know you guys truly get it and look forward to sharing with you. You are so supportive. M
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Looking forward to following the trip guys! It will
be an amazing journey with many great stories to tell, I’m sure!
Stacey and Haydn! 😀
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All I can say is Crocodylus porosus, Carukia barnesi, Carcharodon carcharias. You should probably watch Trygonoptera testacea too.
No really all the best. I will see you on your return, refreshed and ready to work
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Signing on to follow you guys and share
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Good luck Marty you are and always have been an inspiration. Can’t wait to follow you adventure.
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Julie, thank you so much… you have always been soo loving and supportive… please keep in touch with Chryss over this time… xxx m
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What a wonderful and awe inspiring thing you are doing – already love the photography and cannot wait to see the adventure unfold.
Good luck and will be following your trip and looking forward to more amazing photography.
x Michelle Steele
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Thanks Michelle… Please look after Chryss during this time… I know you will.
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All the very best for your epic journey you crazy guys ! Perhaps a little less Pinot consumption over the 8 week journey than normal !
Be safe .. We look forward to checking in on you .
Ady and Brett
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Wow 3 weeks to go boys. I’m sure your ready if your not a week at sea and you’ll be right on top of it.
I’ll be following every step with anticipation. Have a great paddle you both know I’d be with you if I could.
Cheers
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This is going to be a fantastic adventure Marty and Peter! Marty, your class are so lucky to have such an inspiring teacher and to be able to share in the stories of your amazing experiences! We are looking forward to following your blog and we wish you a safe and memorable journey.
From Kate, Brett, Emily, Jack & Tom Deller
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Kate, thank you, clad you are sharing this with your amazing kids too
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Hey Dean, sorry to correct you regarding your greater weight on the kayak,
but Marty is carrying a lot of extra weight on his kayak too, and that is all of his large family both here and in Australia, who are paddling with him in spirit,( except on the really windy days when their lazy spirits will all be tucked up comfortably inside the boat just egging him on…Go Marty!) My prayers and love for an amazing unforgettable journey, far beyond where a kayak can take you both.
Love you Marty xx
Kate
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Thanks Kate you … you continue to be the sours of much encouragement, love and joy. Marty
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Boys, it’s Grant from Yeppoon Water Police. I’ve been keeping track of your progress since we caught up at Emu Park and see you are currently at Leicester Island (hopefully the mozzies/sand flies aren’t carrying you away!). I thought I’d post on your blog and say that I’ve come across some really unprepared boaties over the years, but you two are probably the best prepared and equipped travellers on the water that I’ve met. If your friends and family read this, they should have peace of mind that you have the skills, equipment and mindset that will get you through this trip safely. You are on the trip of a lifetime and I’m envious. Stay safe.
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Thanks Grant, we really appreciate your help, advise and support. It has been a tough paddle and is certainly not a piece of water to take lightly. We are on the adventure of a lifetime – having a great time but are absolutely buggered, has been a battle to get up the coast. Are having a couple of days in Stanage to recharge and reprovision. By the way Shark shields deployed for a very good reason – they work.
Thanks again. Dean and Marty
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Hi Marty,
Glad to see that you are travelling well and hope you are safe and OK. Tiffany said to say hello and wishes you all the best. Had a great night at the school night last night, we were lucky the rain stayed away.
Stay safe mate, this looks like a wonderful experience.
Brooke and Tiffany
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