We are pleased to welcome Snowgum and Mission Kayaks as In-kind Gold Sponsors

Special thanks to Keith, Manager of the Hobart Snowgum store, for his help in securing support from Snowgum – and of course the folks at Snowgum’s head office who generously approved the companies support for our 2010 event.

We are also very grateful for the support shown to this years event by Lawrie Shem of Mission Kayaks, who in conjunction with Snowgum, are supplying us with just about all the gear we will need, for the trip at very generously discounted prices.

1000kms4kids welcomes our first Silver level sponsor, Cafe Namaskar

Namaskar's is the creation of Madhukar & Eveleen Rao, who after coming to Tasmania in 2001, with their two sons, fell in love with the place and its people. They had a restaurant in Melbourne, which they sold following their life changing experience. They returned as soon as possible and established their first restaurant at 9a Channel Court Kingston. They soon established a reputation for quality and service that enabled them to expand the business, with their second restaurant opening in 2002 in Hobart's Cat & Fiddle Food Court.

Namaskar means hello or welcome, so if you are in Kingston or Hobart you really must try what is arguably the best curries in Tasmania.

Namaskar provides both eat in and take away, with a prompt home delivery service. They also provide an excellent catering service for functions etc.

To book you next night out or to simply experience the very best in Indian food – in the comfort of your own home – call Kingston on (03) 6229 4433 or Cat & Fiddle on (03) 6231 4433.

The Kingston restaurant is open 11am - 8:30 pm 7 days a week, while the Cat & Fiddle restaurant’s trading hours are 11am - 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

Madhukar and Eveleen are passionate about Tasmania and we at 1000kms4kids are very grateful for the support they have shown not just us, but also to Tasmanian Kids in need.

1000kms4kids welcomes MUIR Anchoring Systems as our third bronze sponsor

We want to thank John and Wendy Muir for showing their support for us as we prepare for the 2010 event. John and Wendy, like many of our sponsors are themselves parents – having raised 2 children – as a result an event such as ours, which is supporting Tasmanian Kids in need struck a chord with them.

John started the business from scratch over 40 years ago, with Muir rapidly growing to become the dominant force in Australian anchor windlass technology, and by industry standards they are now recognised as a leader and innovator for anchoring systems worldwide.

A source for complete anchoring and docking system packages, Muir design and manufacture the most extensive range of anchor windlasses and equipment available on the world market.

With over a century of experience in anchor windlass technology, Muir technicians and engineers have designed and developed a superior range of pleasure craft windlasses and products to meet the requirements of the most discerning clients and their vessels.

When considering a anchoring system purchase look no further than Muir, you can contact them on 1300 652 877 (within Australia) or +61 (0) 3 6211 8811 (international). Head office is located at 100 Browns Road, Kingston, Tasmania 7050. For online enquiries please visit them at www.muir.com.au

1000kms4kids welcomes our first Gold level sponsor, The Globe Group

Frank Morgan and his wife Julie along with their three kids are very happy to be involved with supporting 1000kms4kids. Frank and Juile are active supporters of charities and has not only been kind enough to help us out by becoming a gold sponsor, but have also offered to support us additionally both before and during the event with in-kind support.

The iconic Globe Hotel, established in 1839, is the corner stone of The Globe Group. Just minutes from the Hobart city centre, it offers budget accommodation, family bistro, a function centre, conference room, bar and bottle shop. Accommodation consists of eleven cosy rooms catering for single, twin, double and family bookings, with both Hobart city and Derwent River views.

The Globe Hotel is located at 178 Davey Street, Hobart and can be contacted on (03) 6223 5800. 1000kms4kids asks that you recognize the generous support shown to us, by supporting this Hobart icon, when next you are visiting the south of the state.

1000kms4kids are pleased to welcome on board our second bronze level sponsor, Howrah Plumbing

Owner, Hans Verdouw, and his wife Anja, have 5 children, and are passionate about supporting charities that help kids. So 1000kms4kids was right up their alley.

Howrah Plumbing Pty Ltd has been in operation within Tasmania for over twenty five years. During that time they have established a commendable record of reliability and quality assurance. Their extensive experience in the plumbing industry assures you a wide range of services delivered professionally and on time. For potential customers in the construction or maintenance field, Howrah Plumbing should be your first point of contact.

Howrah Plumbing are located at 10 Electra Place, Mornington and can be contacted on (03) 6244 7022.

1000kms4kids welcomes our first bronze sponsor, Hobart Plant Hire.

Nick Osborn has been the owner / operator of Hobart Plant Hire for the past 11 years. Nick and his company have a long history of supporting various charities, and they are very keen to support our cause and help us meet our goal of raising $100,000 for Tasmanian Kids in need – Nick, and his wife Cherie have 3 kids of their own.

In recognition of Nicks generosity, we would ask that you consider his company for all your machinery hire and sales requirements, call in at 9 Federal Street, North Hobart and see Nick and his friendly sales team. You can also call Hobart Plant Hire to discuss your requirements on (03) 6234 7400.

1000kms4kids welcomes our first Diamond Sponsor - the Margate Pharmacy

We are very grateful for the support shown by Margate Pharmacy's owner Mr John Geary. His very generous sponsorship of 1000kms4kids, will go a very long way in helping us prepare for the 2010 event. Without such support out goal of raising $100,000 annually for Tasmanian Kids in need will be so much harder to achieve.

John has been a pharmacist for almost 30 years, originally owning the Swansea Pharmacy before moving to southern Tasmania in 1985 and establishing the Blackmans Bay Pharmacy. In 2002 he took over the Margate Pharmacy, which has now become his main focus.

John has a very interesting career history having worked overseas for a period in Fiji and his rural work within Tasmania includes a stint on King Island. He is a very loyal family man with three children, John is also a true supporter of Tasmania – in particular rural and remote areas – and through his support of our endeavour John is clearly showing he is a great supporter of its kids as well.

1000kms4kids would encourage anyone who is in or passing through the Margate area to pop in and see John and his team for good old fashioned personal attention to all your pharmacy needs.

Paddle on Storm Bay 15 Aug 2009

Conditions: wind North Easterly 20 knots

Charles and Ben paddled from Blackmans Bay to Iron Pot, then followed the coastline up to South Arm Point – into an outgoing tide and a nasty head wind – returned to Blackmans Bay across Storm Bay.

Paddled: 23 kilometres.

Had a close look at the Iron Pot Lighthouse and on the way back spotted a seal playing in the middle of the bay.

PS - Charles and Chris had a good paddle on Friday morning as the sun was rising (6:30 am!), around the 16km mark from Blackmans Bay beach to Taroona and back. The view of the sandstone cliffs with the sun rise shining on them was magic... not to self bring the camera next time.

Article published August 12, 2009

1000kms4kids would like to thank Kim Eiszele for coming out on a damp and cold morning to take the photos ... they came up fantastic mate, well done.

1000kms4kids welcomes on board our media sponsor Sea FM

1000kms4kids would like to thank Antony Manton, General Manager, Hobart Media Centre, for helping us to secure this sponsorship.

Without your support our goal of raising $100,000 for Tasmanian Kids in need, would be extremely hard. Not only that, without the exposure your coverage will give to our sponsors, securing their financial support would also be made so much more difficult.

We recommend that you tune in now to SeaFM, not only because they are supporting us, but they really are showing that they really do care about the future of Tasmania and its Kids.

Breaking News - media on board

9:30 am appointment with Mercury photographer.

Also call from Antony Manton of SeaFM, giving us his full support and backing... thanks mate!

Thank you to Phillip Young, of the Mercury, for organizing the meeting with the photographer ... thanks mate!

9th August - Akaroa to Burns Bay

Distance: 12kms

Wind: S E 3 knots

Conditions: calm

Chris did this paddle on his own to see what the tidal conditions may be like when they got to Georges Bay. The tidal flow was strong but not too hard to deal with. The water was so clear that you could see the bottom in up to 20feet of water, just magic. Also spotted a very big seal chasing some fish.

9th August - Blackmans Bay to Kingston Beach

Distance: 12kms

Wind: N E 8knot

Conditions: 3 ft swell

Charles paddled this one on his own, and enjoyed the solitude

8th August - Scamander River

Chris and his wife paddled approx 10kms

Wind: none

Conditions: calm

When we had finished we saw another kayaker on the river with a very nice red and white Mirage 580... how freaky!

8th August - Blackmans Bay to Dennes Pt, Bruny Island

Distance: 16kms

Wind: NW 5 knots

Conditions: Calm

Saw a nice catamaran and a couple of other sea kayaker. Both paddlers felt comfortable, no aches and pains. Dennes Point is planned to be one of the designated stops during the event.

Testing the waters together

Author Chris

26th of July

Charles & I have our first training paddle together. The day was not the best day for a paddle with a strong northerly wind blowing down the Derwent and out across Storm Bay. Or plan was to paddle across the bay to South Arm Beach and then head along the coastline to the Iron Pot Lighthouse.

We headed off at a pretty swift pass and despite the very rough waters we encountered in the middle, the trip across the bay didn't seem all that difficult (which was a relief). The wind speed and size of the waves was increasing and after taking a short break on South Arm Beach, we checked the time we had left and thought about the distance we would have to paddle back across the bay into a rather nasty wind. After some discussion it was decided to leave the paddle to the lighthouse until a better day, instead we followed the coast back around to Opossum Bay beach and then back across to our starting point at Blackmans Bay beach.

Wouldn't you know it when we were about a third of the way back across the bay the wind dropped right away and the last 5kms of the trip were on progressively calmer water.

2nd of August

Charles & Ben have their first training paddle together. Again the venue was Storm Bay and once again the weather was going to be a factor, as the guys faced wind gust from the north of up to 60 knots!

As we are yet to get our nice new Mirage 580's for the trip, so we are training on boats that in some cases are rather more suited to flat water. This was the case when Ben took his Time Bandit (Racing Kayak) out for a spin, while Charles had the rather more stable Pittarak Sea Kayak. The sea kayak showed why it is called a sea kayak by handling the conditions quiet well, and lets just say it is lucky Ben has very good balance or he would have been spending quiet a lot of time talking to the fish!

The two covered a reasonable distance in this their first paddle together, going from Blackmans Bay around to Kingston Beach and then have a much more sheltered paddle up to the top of Browns River.

How not to spell our name

There are many ways that you may think of spelling 1000kms4kids, we are guessing that the list of possible spellings would be as follows:

1000km4kid

1000km4kids

1000 kms4kids

1000 kms4 kids

1000 kms 4 kids

1000 kms for kids

one thousand kilometers 4 kids

one thousand kilometers for kids

1 thousand kms 4 kids

1 thousand kilometers 4 kids

If you can come up with others let us know in the comments section. This will all help to make finding this site easier for everyone who wishes to visit.

Thankyou to our second sponsor COPITEC

1000kms4kids would like to thank Julie Welsh and the team at COPITEC for their very generous help with printing our Sponsorship Proposal document. We dread to think just how much it would have been to print if we had not had the support of COPITEC. There generosity has help us to be one rather large step closer to helping Tasmanian Kids in need.

We would ask that you recognize the support of this locally owned and operated business – which can be found at 195 Elizabeth Street, North Hobart and contacted on (03) 6231 0332 – by keeping them in mind for all your copier repair and maintenance needs.

Paddler Profile – Ben Fasnacht

Participant/Cameraman and Technical Adviser to 1000kms4kids + Dad to 2 kids

Ben has been involved in Endurance and Multi-sport events for over twenty-three years, in-fact pretty much since their inception in Tasmania. He has been an active member in the Derwent Canoe Club, Athletics Tasmania, The Masters Athletics Association, The Sandy Bay Harriers Athletics Club, Clifton Beach Surf Lifesaving Club as well as being actively involved in planning and running sporting events in his job as a teacher.

As an active and keen participant in sporting endurance events, Ben has worked hard at maintaining a high degree of physical fitness. A regular routine of running, paddling, swimming and mountain biking ensure that he is physically prepared for the events he loves to take part in.

Ben has been an active participant in most of the major endurance events held in Tasmania. He has completed five ‘Australian Three Peaks’ events, being involved with the sailing as well as the running in these races. Their teams have placed on a number of occasions and won the prestigious ‘Tilman Trophy’ (awarded to the yachts that displayed the greatest efforts in both areas of running and sailing). In-fact in his last race in 2007, Ben ran all three peaks in the race as well as skippered his own vessel, sailing under the name of ‘Derwent Valley Pharmacy’, which finished in a creditable third place and won the sailing legs on handicap.

The ‘Cradle To Coast’ race has been a particular favourite of Ben’s. This event entails running the ‘Overland Track’ and paddling the length of Lake St Claire on day one. Day two is a casual 120 km road bike to Meadow Bank Dam followed by a short run and 44km sprint down the Derwent River to New Norfolk. Day three sees a 17 km paddle to Bridgewater followed by a 50km road bike to Collinsvale and finishes with a lazy 25 km run over Mount Wellington to finish at Salamanca Place in Hobart. He has done several of these races both as an individual and as a team member. His last effort in 2008 saw his three-man team take out second place, a very creditable effort.

Ben has participated in numerous ‘Winter Challenge’ and similar Multi-sport races. He is a keen bushwalker, and sea-kayaker and with his wide and varied experience on and off the water, technical expertise, as well as his endurance ability, is seen to be a valuable and integral member of our team.

Vice Chairman/Secretary of 1000kms4kids + Dad to 2 kids

Chris has been participating in both endurance/adventure sports and multi-sport in one form or another for the past 24 years. He has many years experience on and in the water, first developing an interest in ocean based sport in 1985, as a surf ski paddler with the Burnie Surf Lifesaving Club, which set in motion a growing passion for seeking new ways to challenge himself physically and mentally in natures ultimate adventure playground, the ocean. Chris has also spent countless hours surfing the waves along northern reaches of Tasmania’s rugged West Coast, giving him an understanding of the ocean, while at the same time instilling in him a great respect for its power.

After moving to Victoria in 1990, Chris became involved in the then growing sport of triathlon, taking part in many sprint triathlons early on, working his way up to Olympic distance events over his very active 10 years involvement with the sport. All the while maintaining a keen interest in running through involvement with the Victorian Corporate Cup Series and countless Fun Runs.

After returning to Tasmania in 2000, he took his involvement in multi-sport to a new level, participating in much longer endurance style events including the Freycinet Challenge, Cradle To Coast, Summer Survival and the Huon Valley Winter Challenge. Chris has also competed in nine Burnie Tens, with this year’s event to be his tenth. He has also complete three Point To Pinnacle Races (PD of 2:06), and one Cadbury Marathon (which he completed comfortably in 2008, in a very creditable first time effort of 3:15).

Chris has been an active member of The Sandy Bay Harriers Athletics Club and the Derwent Canoe Club.

Kayaking initially joined his list of sporting pastimes as a form of cross-training for multi-sport events, with his background in ski paddling from his surf club days, he took to it like a duck to water. Now he can truly say that his passion for ocean based adventure sport has been well and truly rekindled.

Welcome to our first sponsor

We at 1000kms4kids are delighted to welcome onboard our first sponsor, PCB Systems.

Without the great support and help provided by PCB Systems owner Tony Abel, our first steps towards making this is event happen would have been so much harder to take. We are eternally grateful to Tony for his support so far and for the support he has kindly promised going forward.

The sponsorship so generously given by Tony at PCB Systems for 1000kms4kids, will intern benefit many Tasmanian Kids in need.

Please show your support of Tony's company, which does a fantastic job in the area of screen printing and the manufacture of display systems. Tony is a delightful man to deal with and will go out of his way to meet your needs.

PCB Systems can be contacted on (03) 6228 0676, and is located at

78 Brushy Creek Road,

Lenah Valley, Tasmania

Chairman/Founder of 1000kms4kids + Dad to 3 kids

Charles’s respect for the ocean and it’s many moods began at a very young age, growing up in South Africa and living by the sea, he first became involved in nippers at the age of eight and went on to be a long term member of the Woodridge Surf Lifesaving Club. He has participated in many ocean sports events, including surfing, long distance surf-ski racing and open ocean long distance swimming – including two Liquifruit Long Distance Swimming Championships in 1992 and 1993, where he placed 4th and 5th respectively out of a field of over 60 swimmers.

His love for the outdoors and its many challenges started at an early age as he attended an outdoor education boarding school (Woodridge College), located in the bush outside Port Elizabeth, on the banks of the Van Stadens River. Here he gained many skills from abseiling right through to bush survival techniques.

After finishing school, he enrolled in the South African Naval Marines – from July 1984 to July 1986 – were he attended Special Forces Training for nine months. After training he was deployed for a three month tour of duty, on the old South African borders with Angola, Zambia and Botswana, in the Caprivi Region, based at Katimo Mulilo. His duties were border patrols and river patrols on the Zambezi River. During this time he was decorated with the Pro Patria Medal, which is awarded to servicemen whose direct actions helped to suppress and prevent terrorism attacks against South African citizens. He was also awarded with the Marine Breast Badge for services to the division.

After developing his outdoor skills to a very high level, Charles became a keen participant in endurance sports, often pushing himself well beyond normal levels of endurance.

Competing in many marathons including six full marathons with a PB of 2.58 in 1987. He also competed in two ultra-marathons, the Comrades’s Marathon in 1986 over 88.7kms (which is regarded as the hardest ultra-marathon in the world) and the Settlers Marathon over 60kms in 1987. He has also competed in a number of half-marathons, including two Point To Pinnacles in 2002 and 2005 – which is claimed to be Australia’s hardest half-marathon. He has also competed in a number of team triathlons as the team swimmer. As part of his training for this event he will be running his third Point To Pinnacle.

Why we are doing it

While our positioning statement is "The world's longest annual charity event", the event slogan is, "... helping Tasmanian Kids in need" – reflecting the underlying motivation behind this bold adventure.

1000kms4kids came about thanks to an idea by Charles Seaman (founder of the event) to do something both physically challenging and that had not been done before. Paddling a kayak 40kms a day over 26 day for charity, meet both criteria. But Charles decided that when he completed this extraordinary challenge, it must be a victory not just for him and his fellow kayakers, but a victory for Tasmanian Kids in need!

For the 2010 event all three paddlers are fathers, and paddling in this event represents an opportunity to give our time and energy to help kids and their families look forward to a brighter future.

While the dangers we will face during the paddle are real and range from white pointer sharks to huge seas, we will finish this event and go back to our normal lives. The thought that our kids would ever have to face the challenges the kids this event is supporting deal with – often every day of their lives, scares us more than any shark or huge wave ever could. So our hearts go out to the families of these kids and we hope that this event – which will become an annual event – will in some small way give them support as they take on their truly daunting task of caring for these special kids.