Lessons from a 1,000-Mile Adaptive Kayak Expedition

In this session, Barry McKenna and Shaun Rodgers share the remarkable story of joining an adaptive kayaking team on a 1,000-mile expedition from Washington State to Alaska. With no prior sea kayaking experience, Barry stepped into the role of expedition medic, paddling alongside a team of veterans and adventurers, many of whom had survived life-changing injuries.

Through powerful storytelling, the session explores the expedition’s planning, medical considerations, and day-to-day challenges: from managing kit and safety in unpredictable environments to navigating the psychological dynamics of teamwork under pressure. It highlights how adventure can provide rehabilitation, resilience, and healing for those living with both physical and psychological scars.

Far from a tale of constant emergencies, Barry reflects on the quieter lessons of expedition medicine: prevention over treatment, honesty about capability, and the importance of preparation, team cohesion, and personal motivation.

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Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Identify the key considerations when planning medical provision for long-duration expeditions, including kit selection, evacuation planning, and risk assessment.
Differentiate between the role of a medic embedded within a team and one based in a support camp, recognising the implications for workload, decision-making, and resilience.
Reflect on the psychological and rehabilitative benefits of adventure for individuals with trauma or life-changing injuries.
Recognise the value of understanding personal motivations and objectives before joining an expedition, and how this underpins resilience when challenges arise.
Apply practical insights into injury prevention, nutrition, and daily routines that support sustained performance in remote and unpredictable environments.