Acclaimed Wilderness Adventurer Bruce Kirkby joins the Blackfish SUP Team

“How to get the best of it all? One must conquer, achieve, get to the top; one must know the end to be convinced that one can win the end – to know there’s no dream that mustn’t be dared. . .” – George Mallory once argued and his words still resonate strongly when referred to contemporary explorers such as Bruce Kirkby, an acclaimed adventurer, writer, photographer and speaker, constantly “moving the needle on what’s considered possible in wilderness expedition paddleboarding”.

Following the exciting announcement from Blackfish Paddles, TotalSUP had a unique opportunity to catch up with Bruce and talk about joining the Blackfish Team, his take on the New Normal and his stand-up paddleboarding plans.

Photo: Nicole Leclair Photography

Hi Bruce, congratulations on joining the Blackfish Team! The COVID-19 global crisis has radically shifted our perspective and has redefined nearly every aspect of our lives. What’s your take on the world today?

The world has momentarily shrunk. It will bounce back of course, but for the time, putting aside the challenges surrounding health, work and family, there are some upsides. Specifically, the crisis appears to have brought into focus the importance of simplicity, community, nature and daily activity. Across the globe, participation in outdoor sports are surging. And this is great, because I think society will ultimately benefit from a renewed relationship with nature.

For paddlers, the slowdown is offering us an opportunity to deepen our relationship with local waterways, perhaps explore a few nooks and crannies we’d never considered before—and this is a good thing too!

“Connecting wild places with contemporary issues…” – Your work goes beyond extreme expeditions and is closely connected with environmental and social activism to drive positive change. Could you tell us what inspires and motivates you?

Over the last 30 years, my journeys have taken me to some of the most remote and pristine corners of the globe. And it’s impossible to miss the fact that these remote wilderness areas and the indigenous groups living within their boundaries are facing steadily increasing threats.

Much of my work as a writer and photographer has been about sharing my love for these wild places and people. Rather than trying to make my expeditions feel ‘burly’ or inaccessible to others, I instead aim to shrink the distance between wilderness and my audience, hopefully inspiring curiosity, confidence and a sense of possibility in readers, so they might launch their own journeys of discovery, no matter how humble.

Ultimately, I believe, as a society we will protect the things we love – so I’m simply trying to spread love of nature, wilderness and physical activity.

Why the extreme? Why push the boundaries and limits?

I’ve never really thought of myself as extreme, although some might argue?! I’m definitely driven by curiosity. I always want to see what is around the next headland, over the next mountain range. In the world of paddleboarding, I’ve enjoyed the process of building skills and abilities, giving myself to confidently tackle ever bigger and more challenging journeys.

 

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Life is a fleeting, ephemeral gift, and I feel our biggest responsibility is to spend our precious hours and days wisely. For me, that means being outside as much as possible, and pushing my limits.

Photo: Nicole Leclair Photography

Could you tell us more about your adventure with stand-up paddleboarding?

I first came to paddleboarding in 2011, on whim. An Olympic gold medallist asked me for beta on winds, tides and weather while planning a 100km fundraiser. I agreed to tell him everything I knew, as long as I could tag along! And I’ve never looked back.

Very quickly I sensed an untapped potential in paddleboards. The industry at that time was heavily focused on racing, but I saw paddleboars as a perfect vehicle for exploring remote wilderness areas. So I began pushing myself, and my equipment, further and further.

Photo: Nicole Leclair Photography

I paddled from Vancouver to Victoria, a journey of 5 days. Then I crossed Lake Ontario solo on an inflatable. My first real journey was an 11-day solo along the rugged outer coast of Vancouver Island.

In 2015, fate brought me together with another Blackfish Team paddler, Norm Hann, and we quickly formed a rock-solid partnership. One of our most memorable journeys retraced an ancient Gitga’at First Nation Grease Trail in the Great Bear Rainforest, a challenging route that included upriver, overland portage, whitewater and coastal sections. Last summer we rounded Cape Scott, the first paddleboards that I’m aware of to traverse the notorious northern tip of Vancouver Island.

Could you tell us more about your collaboration with Blackfish Paddles and joining the Blackfish Team?

It was Norm Hann who first connected me with Blackfish. I’d been paddling relatively crappy blades up to that point, so the feel of the Blackfish was revolutionary. I loved their paddles from the first moment I held one. And now, after using Blackfish blades for six years, I trust their products without question.

But my connection to Blackfish runs on deeper levels too. Their home base lies in Howe Sound, which is a section of Canadian coast I feel connected to. Anyone who has met David Smart (the owner) knows he is he a great guy. Most importantly, David cares deeply about the sustainability of his products, and is very intentional about everything from production to shipping. That really matters to me.

I’m blessed to be part of the Starboard Dream Team – another group who puts sustainability at the top of the list – so formalizing my relationship with Blackfish felt like the next natural step.

What are your Blackfish Paddles of choice?

The Andaman 520 is my go-to, everyday paddle. I absolutely love the feel – feather light with solid catch yet forgiving on the body– and I use it for everything from intensity workouts to long expeditions. For whitewater and surfing, I grab my Nootka 520 Fishskin, which is super durable and robust.

Photo: Nicole Leclair Photography

What’s in the pipeline for 2021?

I live in British Columbia’s Interior mountains, where the lakes and rivers are just starting to melt, and I’m already out there, building volume. I like to be comfortable with 50-80 km days by the time May arrives, so I’m prepared for big coastal expeditions.

COVID has thrown some uncertainty into summer plans, as Canada’s First Nations may still be asking people to avoid their territories a little longer—which of course Norm and I will respect. But we have big plans—both this year, and down the road. Together we hope to move the needle on what’s considered possible in wilderness expedition paddleboarding, and at the same time, introduce lots of new paddlers to the possibilities of adventure SUP travel.

Photo: Nicole Leclair Photography

Thank you very much for your time and good luck with your 2021 SUP plans!

To find out more about Blackfish Paddles and their progressive, refined, handcrafted designs, visit www.blackfishpaddles.com

To follow Bruce’s SUP expeditions and projects, visit www.brucekirkby.com

Images courtesy of Bruce Kirkby and Nicole Leclair Photography