Conversations Loving and losing my adventurer husband across the Tasman Sea
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Feb 2, 2026 Vicky McCauley, an Australian who lost her husband Andrew during his 2007 solo Tasman Sea kayak attempt and later raised their son while training and teaching yoga. She recalls their adventurous life together, the perilous Tasman crossing and search, receiving his footage, and the slow work of healing. Short scenes cover family resilience, rituals of remembrance, and how yoga and community supported recovery.
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Commuting By Kayak
- To train efficiently, Andrew commuted to work partly by kayak, paddling into Sydney and carrying his boat into the office.
- Weekends included family paddles with Finn riding in the hatch.
Why The Tasman Is Treacherous
- The Tasman route below the 40th parallel behaves like the Southern Ocean with highly unstable, unpredictable conditions.
- Choosing a southerly latitude increased danger but matched Andrew's appetite for extreme challenge.
Building A Trusted Support Team
- Andrew assembled a support team including boat-builder Paul Hewitson and meteorologist Jonathan Bourget for weather and psychological prep.
- Jonathan provided daily forecasts and psychological coaching during the expedition.