Oceans 8 Expedition Explores Tasmanian Coastline

Led by renowned explorer Jon Bowermaster, the Oceans 8 kayak team recently continued its long-term quest to examine the state of the world's oceans and the lives of the people who depend upon them with a four-week exploration of Tasmania's wild southern coast.

The expedition, launched from Port Davey, aimed to cover 600 miles of Tasmanian coastline, ending in the Flinders Islands and carrying the team into unpredictable water impacted by Antarctic weather and sea patterns.

Bowermaster and his companions, who included rodeo whitewater kayak champion Alex Nicks, NOLS instructors Lelia Meffre and Travis Holmes, and photographer Keith Fialcowitz, traveled in new 2006 Looksha V kayaks donated by Necky.

"When you're paddling some of the world's most unpredictable waters around Tasmania, it's nice to know you're using equipment you can count on," Bowermaster said.

Underwritten in great part by the National Geographic Expeditions Council, the Oceans 8 expeditions have taken Bowermaster and his team to the waters surrounding the Aleutian Islands, Vietnam, French Polynesia, Croatia, and Africa.

Follow the Oceans 8 expeditions online at www.jonbowermaster.com.