Rockpool Kayaks - I chose a Rockpool Taran for this expedition as I was looking for a fast but friendly sea kayak that would allow me to confidently tick off those long miles and be happy out on the open crossings.
Summit to Sea worked extremely hard to supply me with the right equipment for the job in hand. If Pete didn't have it he soon got it - excellent service backed up with in-depth paddler based knowledge. Outstanding!
The Kokatat paddling kit is frankly a world apart from anything I have used previously. Not only is it tough and reliable but you really do finish the day warm and dry - the best paddling clothing I have ever used.
Since they started making neoprene spraydecks nearly 20 years ago I've used nothing else, they have supplied all my decks and that's quite a lot! The best piece of kit you can get for keeping your bum dry. Cheers Joel.
Legend Paddles - I am taking Legend Small Fusion wings as my paddles of choice. They are an easy going design, ideal for long miles in a loaded kayak. They are backed up with the excellent quality and design knowledge expected of Legends.
Lyon are the leading distributor of various quality outdoor equipment brands. They were extremely helpful in giving advice and supplying the best kit to take.
Ortlieb are the world leaders in producing gear to keep other gear dry, their drybags are the industry standard. Ortlieb was chosen because of their proven quality, reliability and performance.
Of course when you are looking for a headtorch you only look at the Petzl range. Never ending innovation combined with quality makes Petzl my choice.
Standard Horizon say their mission is quite simple - “To produce the finest marine electronics on the
market to meet the needs of boater’s everywhere”. They do... I'll be taking a HX751 and a DSC equipped HX851.
Vango - reliability was the priority when sourcing equipment for this exped so the Vango brand with over 45 years of technical experience was an obvious choice. Vango supplied the excellent Trangia multi-fuel burners and cooking sets.
Also supplied by Vango was the excellent Force 10 Vortex Lite tent. Force 10 is one of the best known and well regarded brands around, most of us have slept under 'canvas' with Force 10 at some stage, this solid but lightweight tent shows just have far things have advanced since those boy scout days!
I like the Wayfayrer ready to eat meals, I've relied on them many times. The self-heating pouches are so easy to use that you can even have a hot meal on the longest crossing - hot food, miles off-shore, outstanding!
Chandlery World were very helpful supplying all sorts of bits and pieces, large and small - from Ordnance Survey maps to emergency flares, from nuts and bolts to bilge pumps - they could source everything I asked for.
I was pleased to here that Clif Bars wanted to come onboard. I have used their bars during races and such like for years,they are actually an energy bar that you look forward to eating. 
Paddlesport safety specialists HF have provided me with a Jeff Allen designed Throw Tow. Very well made and designed by a safety specialist, this should cover a multitude of uses. 
The Exped Synmat is the most comfortable sleeping mat available, a touch of luxury for 80 days under canvas!
I am extremely grateful to all the sponsors who so generously helped me with their time, advice and of course the kit! I am confident that I will be using the best equipment I could hope for.
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