North Sea paddle

From Scotland to the Faroes by kayak

On his second attempt, a 52-year old man has managed to kayak from Scotland to the Faroe Islands.

A chauffer by day, Mick Berwick joined forces with team mate Patrick Winterton to battle through the savage North Sea tides, waves and weather. The crossing took a total of 74 hours, including time taken to dodge trawlers on collision courses and battering through gale-force winds.

When the gales hit, two days into the trip, the pair was forced to paddle 30 hours non-stop to make progress in the 18-foot expedition kayaks.

"It was rough, and a rush, and sweaty work," he admitted on landing in the Faroes after the crossing from Stornoway. "There was never any thought of turning back."

The epic journey raised money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which has saved Mick in the past and which he wanted to repay by being the first ever kayaker to make the crossing.

Now that the challenge is over, Mick has turned his paddle south, and hopes to cross from Devon to Jersey without landing.

"It's a shorter challenge," he said. "I'm 52 now; no spring chicken, so it takes longer to recover."