In an attempt to break the record, two kayakers circumnavigate Newfoundland in 49 days at the whim of the sea

This summer, David MacKay and Jack Kotaska began their days at the break of dawn in Newfoundland, slipping into their kayaks as the first rays of sunlight touched the island. Paddling along the rugged coastline in the stillness of the early morning, they explored landscapes they had only imagined—sandy beaches giving way to rocky cliffs and towering fjords.

Their days were filled with stories of Arctic expeditions, Harry Potter audiobooks, and deep conversations as they navigated the vast sea. Alone on the water, they cherished the moments when a new idea sparked between them, a rare delight when they thought they had exhausted all avenues of conversation.

Their ultimate goal for the summer was both ambitious and challenging: to circumnavigate Newfoundland by kayak and set a new speed record.

"Four years ago, while working as a sea kayak guide in Cape Broyle, I dreamed of kayaking around Newfoundland," MacKay told CBC News. At the time, it seemed like an insurmountable challenge—the existing record of 45 days had stood since 2008. Despite the daunting task, the idea lingered in his mind as a "maybe one day" adventure.

MacKay's opportunity came when he met Kotaska in Whitehorse last year, where they were both posted for work. As experienced kayakers, MacKay extended an offer to Kotaska around Christmas that was too tempting to pass up. "I'd always wanted to visit the East Coast," Kotaska said, and the two of them were ready to take on the challenge.

For MacKay, it was a chance to explore beyond the Avalon Peninsula, where he had spent most of his life. For Kotaska, a seasoned whitewater kayaker, it was his first ocean expedition. "Every day was new," he said. "Seeing the world from that perspective was amazing."

Despite their experience, nothing could fully prepare them for the demands of living out of a kayak for weeks on end. "You can master all the safety aspects, but it's tough to train for paddling 60 kilometers a day for nearly two months," MacKay said.

On June 18, they set out from Quidi Vidi harbour in St. John’s, paddling south and beginning their clockwise journey around the island. As they contended with the whims of wind and sea, they quickly realized that success required not just their own endurance but favorable weather conditions as well. "There are two sides to this deal that have to align to achieve a goal like this," Kotaska noted, "and for the most part, we held up our end."

Despite paddling up to 14 hours a day, the weather ultimately thwarted their record attempt in the final two weeks. But rather than feeling defeated, MacKay and Kotaska welcomed the opportunity to slow down and savor their surroundings, particularly enjoying time off in places like Fogo and LaScie.

For Kotaska, visiting Newfoundland’s outport communities, which MacKay held dear, was a highlight. "Most of the trips I’d been on before were completely isolated," Kotaska said, "so it was cool having connections with people on a near-daily basis."

The locals welcomed them warmly. In Bonavista, a man offered them a free night in his Airbnb and brought them warm meals. In LaScie, another local lent them his truck to restock supplies and provided his shed for them to sleep in. "We were even invited to a singalong, where we enjoyed some Newfie music and learned about the area's history," Kotaska recalled. "There are so many people I’ll have to return to visit."

Although they missed the record, they completed their journey on August 9, returning to St. John’s after 49 days to a cheering crowd of friends and family. While still recovering, MacKay already looks back on the experience fondly. "We’re good at having fun and not taking things too seriously," he said.

For MacKay and Kotaska, the key to sustaining such challenges is to prioritize enjoyment. While they’re uncertain of what their next adventure will be, they’re sure this won't be their last.