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What is the Paddling the Margins Project?
Paddling the Margins is a film making project and Kayak expedition to investigate the experiences of marginal groups, living at the edge of North American society and geography, under the threat of climate change and habitat destruction.
This journey and film will shed light on how the various groups that live and work on this coast have learnt to coexist with their natural environment and how the challenging trade-offs of economic development, environmental stewardship and the the protection of culture and heritage are being managed.
The approach of this project will be to question and reflect on the complexities of the challenges the region faces, giving a plaform to the communities and people of this coastline to speak about their worries, hopes and challenges. Paddling the Margins aims to add nuance and reflection to the sustainability conversation, elevating local voices and teasing out useful lesson's for a global audience.
Interest in sustainable living and alternative relationships with nature has increased as anxiety over climate change and habitat destruction has grown. Young people have repeatedly vocalised, through school strikes, marches and at that ballot box, that the climate and our relationship with nature are their principal concerns, both politically and economically.
By meeting and talking with people who have coexisted with a much harsher environment than our own and who often face the duel challenges of climate change and economic isolation, Paddling the Margins will contribute a forward looking narrative on sustainability.
Follow the Paddling the Margins project here to keep up with the expedition as it progresses from planning to paddling!
What would the world be, once bereft
Of wet and of wildness? Let them be left,
O let them be left, wildness and wet;
Long live the weeds and the wilderness yet.
Inversnaid | Gerard Manley Hopkins
Meet the Paddling the Margins Team
Jack Hampton
Project Leader
Jack is the reason for the Paddling the Margins project and has been developing the concept for last three years during which he has built up the network of Environmentalists, First Nations representatives, Paddlers and members of the off-grid community across the pacific north west who will be the backbone of the documentary film. Jack is a skilled and qualified Advanced Sea Kayak Leader with experience of similar self-supporting expeditions in Scandinavia and the South West of the UK and will be the only member of the team to complete the entire journey, paddling solo for hundreds of miles.
James Aylward
Expedition Medical Planner
James is a practicing doctor based in South London and a qualified expedition medical planner. He will be carrying out the medical risk assessments for the team and ensuring that Jack and his companions are correctly supplied and equipped. James is also a keen outdoorsman and experienced ski-mountaineer and will be completing the Alaskan section of the journey with Jack.
Josh Branch
Geological Advisor and Team Member
Josh and Jack have been friends since the first year of University. Until recently their relationship has consisted of Josh regularly housing Jack between one of his various and short-lived attempts to avoid London rental prices. Now its time for Jack to give a little back as Josh joins him for the second leg of the Paddling the Margins project in Southern Alaska. Josh will be contributing his extensive knowledge of the regions geology - check out his blog post Geology with Josh
Immie Barnett
Fundraising Advisor and Team Member
Immie is a Researcher for a national charity. Like Jack she grew up by the coast on Cornwall’s Lizard, and her life has been significantly shaped by the sea from open water swimming to volunteering with British Divers Marine Life Rescue. Having studied social and environmental geography at the University of Oxford, she have a keen interest in the interactions between people and their environments, and nowhere is this more apparent that at the margins of society, and the margins of land and sea. After two years working in the charity sector, her desire to continue learning led her to complete a part-time Masters of Research in Global Development with Queen Mary, University of London, and Paddling the Margins provides another amazing opportunity to continue her quest for knowledge and experience.
Immie's expericence as a former professional fundraiser, and her academic expertise in the geography of development are key to the project.
Nick Hooper
Team Member
Nick, studied Classics at Oxford University and now works as a Lawyer with Allen and Overy. He met Jack and Josh through hockey at university, and has continued to play with them both at Tulse Hill and Dulwich Hockey Club. Jack’s expedition offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore a remote area of the world by a mode of transport uniquely suited to the landscape. His main motivator for joining Jack is the promise of breath-taking scenery and wildlife: unimaginable as he sits at his desk in urban London. He says:
"Being a part of Jack’s journey to explore how local communities along the Canadian western seaboard have adapted, and continue to adapt, to the ever-changing climate will be instructive and fascinating for me and for us all."
Ben Bishop
Team Member
Ben is a kayaker who met Jack on a sea kayaking course in Wales. Originally from the UK, Ben is now working in the Pacific Northwest as a kayaking teacher and is very excited to learn more about the untouched coastline of his new home and the people who live and work along it.
Support Us
The purpose of Paddling the Margins is to bring a new and nuanced narrative on the role of culture change to the environmental debate by recording the perspectives and capturing the knowledge of the coastal communities of the Pacific Northwest.
"I have been particularly awed by the culture of reusing and repairing among the off-grid community, nothing is beyond repair... I am coming to understand that realising the "reduce, reuse, recycle" moto in a meaningful way is really dependent on the skills these people have and their attitude of isolated independence... there is a lot we can learn here!" Jack Hampton | via satellite phone near Bella Bella
As first time film makers we are not backed by a production company and are mainly self-funding the film production. As such to achieve the aim of sharing an impactful story on Jack and his teams journey through the waters and communities of this incredible region we need your support!
We ask for you to donate what you can to realise this film and further Paddling the Margins projects - we have the footage, we have the narrative we just need the funds. All funds donated will be used exclusively for the production and distribution of Paddling the Margins - if you have further questions please reach out to Jack
Thank you for your support
What was our route?
explore the teams route
Please use our MapShare site to track the teams exact route.
Principal Partners
We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Reed Chillcheater, one of our two principal kit suppliers. Reed Chillcheater have been key supporters of the Paddling the Margins project since the beginning and are providing us with the crucial custom drysuits, spray decks, sea socks and paddles we need to complete the trip safely! It is fantastic to be able to work with a local North Devon brand who are at the top of their game and so keen on supporting young adventurers. Thank you Reed Chillcheater!
Nautiraid are boat builders and master craftsman. Their folding wooden framed boats, built using Ash and Birch from the Alps combine the performance, versatility and beauty. This summer the Paddling the Margins team will be putting Nautiraid's product through its paces, attempting an expedition first of paddling the whole Canadian west coast unsupported in skin-on-frame kayaks. Nautiraid have worked hard with our team to adapt their designs to meet the challenges of a 3 month self-supporting expedition
Folding wooden kayaks?
What are folding wooden skin-on-frame kayaks? In this interview, Jack discusses their strengths and weaknesses along with why folding boat manufacturer Nautiraid decided to join the Paddling the Margins project, with the companies Président and CEO, Olivier Le Moigne
Supporting Partners
Dryrobe
Dryrobe have supported the project financially while also providing the team with their awesome Dryrobe Advanced Changing Robes
Extreme Cases will be supplying the Paddling the Margins team with their bombproof drypacks, keeping the most delicate equipment safe during the expedition. See the kit review for more information
EDZ
Established for over 25 years and based in Cumbria, EDZ specialize in merino clothing, underwear and accessories that are suitable for a wide range of activities. EDZ are pleased to supply the team on this epic adventure with their all of their baselayers, keeping them warm, dry and fresh!
Dakota Lithium
Dakota Lithium designs and manufactures lithium iron phosphate batteries for today's explorers. With twice the run time and half the weight of standard lead acid batteries, Dakota Lithium batteries provide portable power so you can live, work, and play without limits.
They have met all of the energy storage needs of the team while we produce a film in completely off-grid settings!
Sea to Summit
Inspired by epic adventures at every altitude, the Sea to Summit brand is all about the pure joys of fresh air, fresh challenges and fresh thinking.
Sea to Summit raided their warehouse for us and sorted the team out with a range of equipment from sleeping mats to environmentally friendly body wash!
Ulu
The word Ulu means to 'inspire' or 'to grow'. Ulu develops products designed to inspire and enhance ocean adventures.
Ulu have provided us with two of their AquaTrek®36 bags which will form our emergency bags, allowing us to swim or hike out of any sticky situation.
LiP
LiP Sunglasses are committed to producing state-of-the-art functional eyewear to fulfil the demands of today’s discerning watermen and women.
LiP have provided the team with sunglasses adapted for watersports and for the range of light intensities we will encounter on the water
Wolf and Grizzly
Wolf and Grizzly designs lightweight, portable outdoor tools that enable adventure from the backyard to the backcountry. Their gear is functionally elegant, intuitive to use, and designed to be passed down to the next generation.
Wolf and Grizzly have kindly provided us with the equipment we need to make the most of cooking in the outdoors.
Jeremy Willson Charitable Trust
Paddling the Margins are excited to announce that after an extensive application process JWCT have awarded the project grant funding! JWCT's support will be used to purchase essential safety equipment for the expedition
TransGlobe Expedition Trust announced as a major supporter
We are please to announce that TransGlobe Expedition Trust will be supporting the project
![Roundel black print (3)[11417].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5327_92b931dd9a144d5f8cc031795302f615~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_425,h_600,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Roundel%20black%20print%20(3)%5B11417%5D.jpg)
Captain Scott Society – Spirit of Adventure Award
The Paddling the Margins team are the proud winners of the 2022 Spirit of Adventure Award. Our project was deemed to best exemplify Captain Scott's 'Spirit of Adventure'. In particular, the Society was looking for adventurous 'firsts' which our expedition in folding, wooden, skin-on-frame kayaks certainly ticks!
Airborne Outfitters
Airborne Outfitters are a Veteran owned company, dedicated to the outdoors who have supplied the team with their Bitterroot Drybag water filtration system and portable emergency desalination pouches
WaterLily
Designed and manufactured in Canada, and designed to withstand the harsh climate, weather, and landscapes, WaterLily is the world’s most versatile portable power turbine loved by campers, paddlers, filmmakers, and off-gridders around the world.
WaterLily have kindly provided us with their turbines which will allow us to charge our filming equipment and batteries by generating power from the water we paddle through.
Production Company
Black Revolver are an independent, UK-based film production company founded in 2010 by Rob & Tom, brought together by a shared passion for moving image.
Rob as head editor has worked hard over the last year to pull together a beautiful film which we hope does justice to the Paddling the Margins project
Key Documentation
Click to Download
Extended explanation of the Paddling the Margins project, aims and outputs for prospective sponsors
Details of up-to-date kayaking and leadership qualifications for Jack Hampton, expedition and project Leader
Full expedition risk assessment including medical risk assessment.
Get in Touch
We’d love to hear from you! I am now on the water so the best way to reach me is through the garmin mapshare site link or by email:
https://share.garmin.com/PaddlingTheMarginsBackup