Canoeing Round Ireland is Johan’s challenge this summer!
Whilst we are not adventuring with River Deep Mountain High customers any more we are still adventuring and Johan is taking it to the max this summer with his friend Rich – here’s what they’re up to…
Two Men, One Canoe, and the Art of Bodging
Exploring Ireland by Canoe – A Journey of Adaptability, Connection, and Quiet Wonder
Summer 2025 — This summer, Rich Ensoll and Johan Hoving, will embark on a bold and deeply personal expedition: to paddle the entire coastline of Ireland in Ronan, a handmade, skin-on-frame open canoe.
“There is a reason no one has attempted this before,” says Johan looking at a map of Ireland. Rich clarifies this by adding “The second biggest ocean in the world crashes onto Ireland’s rugged west coast, where enormous headlands meet fast tides, huge swells, and unforgiving shores.”
While fewer than 100 people have successfully circumnavigated Ireland by sea kayak, no one has ever completed it in a traditional open canoe. This makes Rich and Johan’s journey not just a daring adventure but potentially a world-first.
More Than a Record – A Reflection.
But for these two paddlers, this isn’t just about testing limits. Their project, Canoeing Round Ireland, is a meditation on slowing down, embracing vulnerability, and reconnecting with both nature & community.
Blending paddling with portaging, poling, sailing—and the occasional nap in the canoe—the duo see their craft as more than transport. It’s a metaphor for life: a vehicle of adaptability and quiet resilience. As Rich explains:
“A bit like a Swiss Army knife or multitool; perhaps the power of a canoe lies in its capacity to solve many problems adequately.”
While Ronan won’t slice through surf like a sea kayak, her beauty lies in her versatility. In their words, canoeing is not about the method—it’s about the mindset. The canoeist, like a skilled “bodger,” crafts creative, low-tech solutions to the problems of the day. It’s about working with the landscape, not against it.
A Journey Shared
Rich and Johan are documenting their journey through their blog, Canoeing Round Ireland, sharing reflections, photographs, and stories from the water. But more than a travel journal, it’s a platform for exploring the bigger themes: connection, community and what it means to live attentively in the moment.
“It would be easy to think a trip like this is about the destination,” they write. “But we value the process so much that even if we never launch, the friendships built and the lessons learned would still be worth it.”
A Journey with Purpose
At its heart, this is also a journey of purpose and service. Rich and Johan are raising awareness and funds for two powerful causes:
• The Kepplewray Trust’s Participation and Inclusion Fund (Cumbria) – helping people of all abilities and backgrounds access outdoor experiences.
• Oxfam Ireland – working to end poverty and injustice around the world.
Though entirely self-funded—and with Ronan lovingly built by hand—the expedition’s 1,000-mile route brings real costs: from safety gear and ferry crossings to lightweight food and fuel. Every donation helps, and any surplus will go directly to the charities.
Follow the Adventure
You can follow their journey on the official Canoeing Round Ireland blog, where you’ll find:
• Live updates and route tracking
• Photo journals and thoughtful reflections
• Details on how to support their fundraising efforts
Whether you’re a fellow adventurer or someone inspired by meaningful exploration—this journey is an invitation to pause, reflect, and reimagine how we move through the world.
Next time you face a challenge, consider
What would a canoeist-bodger do?
