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After 91 days at sea, Cyril Derreumaux made the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean in a solo kayak. The Frenchman completes this human-powered crossing alone and without assistance.
It is 91 days and 9 hours following his departure on June 21, 2022 from Monterey Bay in California, that the kayaker Cyril Derreumaux landed on September 20 on the quay of the port of Hilo in Hawaii. He thus becomes the first kayaker to complete this solo kayak crossing of more than 2,400 nautical miles (4,444 km), solely with human propulsion (as opposed to d Gillet who had used a sail in 1987) and without assistance.
A wave of joy
A huge wave of joy illuminated the Hawaiian archipelago on September 20, 2022, when Cyril Derreumaux disembarked at the quay of the port of Hilo. The joy of a sailor, having reached the end of a titanic project that took him 4 years to bring to fruition. After a planned but aborted departure in 2020 due to covid. Then a first attempt in June 2021, interrupted prematurely due to damage to the floating anchor and bad weather… And finally gaining the joy of her entire support committee. Friends, family, supporters and athletes, some of whom had toured the planet to celebrate the arrival of this exceptional adventurer.
The Frenchman, visibly very moved and emaciated by the 9 kilos he had anticipated losing during this expedition, was smiling very broadly through a thick beard, which had not been trimmed since his departure from the Californian coast 3 months earlier. . And it is with great enthusiasm that he expressed his immense satisfaction at having succeeded in his challenge and his emotions on edge.
Cyril Derreumaux, hot reactions:
“It was a wonderful adventure, clearly also a spiritual journey. Before leaving mightn’t really explain why I wanted to take on this challenge. MBut I finally found all the answers to my questions regarding water. I loved sharing my trip with all those who followed me on the map or the networks. I met all possible weather conditions during these 3 months. Very rough seas in which I had to stay locked in my cabin, without even being able to sleep, it was so moving. Mais also an ocean which can be so calm that it transforms you deeply so much it fills you with tranquility. I had moments of pure magic when all the elements came together. Ccalm of the sea, calm of the currents, calm of the winds, and the visit in the middle of nowhere of a bird. It was so simple and so beautiful… Now I just want to grab all my loved ones and hug them. And especially all those who supported me during this crazy adventure, Dave, Ashley, Tiago and all the others! I might never have done this without your help!”
Cyril Derreumaux
French, citizen of the world
Originally from the North of France, the Frenchman, American by adoption and citizen of the world according to his expression, knew how to thwart during the first weeks the difficulties which had pushed him to abandon during his first attempt to cross there a year. Seasickness for the first few days, lack of sleep, changes in rhythm, physical exertion, new diet… It is by relying on his experience and benefiting from a good choice of weather window during the week following his departure, that the kayaker successfully managed to get away from the Californian coast.
Two steps forward, one step back
Two steps forward during rowing days, and one step back with the kayak’s natural drift at night. He had to show great determination to free himself from the formidable currents and prevailing winds which tended to bring him back towards the American and Mexican coasts. The following weeks were also difficult with, in addition to the installation of significant fatigue, the appearance of several damages that had to be managed. Leak of water on the back with flooding of a watertight compartment which had to be condemned. Problems charging batteries and steering cables. Passage of the tropical depression “Estelle” which, fortunately, lost intensity just before crossing the kayak route, but will still require the sailor to take refuge in his cabin for 2 days to take shelter from the waves breaking waves and winds of up to 25 knots.
9 hours a day
Halfway through, her main watermaker, which allowed her to produce fresh water, broke down. And it was only thanks to a manual watermaker and the cost of two hours of pumping a day that he was able to continue on his way. Relying on good logistical preparation and a shore support team as determined as he is, solving problems one following the other, Cyril Derreumaux continues his journey at a rate of 9 to 9.30 a.m. by rowing a day towards the Hawaiian Islands while by sharing daily the ups and downs of his adventure through a logbook supplied in English and French on his Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Live life to the fullest!
To the rhythm of stories of events on board, reflections on his project, the lessons of life he retains, and the sharing of his emotions, the sailor was during his solo kayak trip a witness to his philosophy of life: “ Live life to the full!”. It was in the port of Hilo in Hawaii, escorted by local kayakers, that the Frenchman was warmly welcomed by a delegation of friends, admirers and partners. His expedition will have lasted 21 days longer than he had planned. This forced him to modify his itinerary (his initial destination was Honolulu) and to drastically ration his food.
Inspire others
By thus completing alone and without assistance the first crossing of the Pacific Ocean in a solo kayak using only human propulsion, Cyril Derreumaux is following the path traced by the legendary kayaker Ed Gillet who in 1987 had made the first crossing by kayak, using occasionally a kite wing as a secondary propulsion system. After a necessary period of rest, Cyril Derreumaux, who is also a lecturer on subjects of personal accomplishment and self-transcendence, wishes to share his adventure as much as possible, in particular by producing a video documentary and writing a book. .
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