Interview: Peter Tranter
Photos: James Appleton

Land’s End to John O’Groats is a popular challenge with cyclists and hikers, but nobody had ever done it by… SUP – until now…

https://paddleagainstplastic.com

An interview with… Cal Major

Before we start – just let our readers know a little about yourself, background, etc.
Hello! I am a veterinary surgeon turned ocean advocate and stand up paddleboarder, campaigning to stop plastic pollution at source. I have previously stand up paddle boarded around the Cornish coast and circumnavigated the Isle of Skye, and this year I became the first person in history to SUP the length of the UK, – 1,000 miles, from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The expeditions are used to raise awareness of plastic pollution in the ocean and to highlight all the positive solutions we can be proud to be a part of. I am a Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Coastlines Ambassador, surfer and kitesurfer in my spare(!) time.

When and how did you get into SUP?
in 2014 I moved to Plymouth and lived with other keen ocean lovers! I was injured at the time and SUPing was one of the only sports I was able to do. I was hooked after my first session, and it strengthened my muscles enough to get me back into other forms of exercise too.

So when and why did the idea of paddling Land’s End to John O’Groats first come to mind?
I’ve had the idea in the back of my mind for several years. It’s been completed on most other modes of transport, but never on a SUP and this is what attracted me to it in the first place! It gave me the opportunity to capture peoples’ imaginations and talk to them about the plastic problem. On a SUP I could go to beaches that weren’t otherwise accessible, paddle up canals and rivers, and really get a feel for the level of plastic pollution in the water. I wanted to show that wherever we are in the UK, we’re never too far from plastic pollution, but also to highlight all the amazing stuff happening the length of the UK to help tackle it.

You’re obviously comfortable with yourself but are there times when the isolation becomes a little too much?
Absolutely. There are times when I just wanted someone to bounce an idea or a plan off, someone to talk to, to relieve the boredom and monotony, and to comfort me when it got tough. But being out there alone meant I learnt a lot about myself, my resilience and my ability to make decisions. If you had told me before setting off, some of the situations I would get into and asked whether I would be able to cope alone, I would have said, “No way!” But when you’re out there, alone, and you have to deal with it, you realise you have more strength, decision making ability and endurance than you or your comfort zone ever gave you credit for.

Is it just plastic or are there other major causes of pollution of our oceans and rivers?
Plastic for me is one of the most ludicrous pollutants as it’s often so easily avoided. There are of course chemical pollutants and pesticides that wash off the land causing serious disruption to aquatic ecosystems. Some sunscreens can be very toxic too, containing potent chemicals, which even in tiny quantities bleach and kill corals. It’s always worth checking that your sunscreen doesn’t contain oxybenzone.

This has been your third momentous paddle, what keeps you motivated?
The need to talk to people about plastic pollution; each expedition has had a specific message relating to protecting our oceans. Once I begin an expedition, there’s never any doubt in my mind that I’ll get to the end. If you set off thinking that not finishing is an option, you’ll never get there. It’s taken a long time to master the endurance mindset and I think not having a support boat helps me put the mileage in each day – there simply isn’t any other option but to get to your destination each day – there’s nobody to pull you out of the water if you’re tired or hungry or fed up.

What really helped on this trip too was the support from people following the expedition – the most lovely comments on my social media posts, or messages from people I’d never met; donations to my fundraising page, or strangers along the way offering me accommodation, food or just kind words of support. I really cannot thank people who helped in this way enough, you have no idea how much of a difference that made to a tired, hungry, emotional adventurer!

Lands End to John O’Groats must be your greatest achievement – do you have anything in mind to surpass that?
I have a couple of expeditions for the future that I’m looking at doing, and very excited for! I think it’s difficult to look at it as ‘topping’ a previous expedition – each expedition is such a different experience and set of challenges and I think that makes them difficult to compare.

We seem to be featuring more and more expeditions that are being led by women – do you have any particular woman as an inspiration?
I’m so stoked you are featuring more expeditions led by women! We are all humans, and man or woman there are some incredible things being attempted these days. I long for the day when the distinction isn’t such a big deal. I am inspired by women and men who are authentic and doing their expeditions for genuine reasons – whatever that may mean to them. I am particularly inspired by those who are putting themselves out there to fight for a cause.

You must have found some unusual items amongst all the plastic trash?
One day I was paddling towards a big blob floating in the ocean. I thought it might be a dead dolphin or seal – it was quite eerie. As I got nearer, I found I was paddling through glittery water. As I got closer to the blob I discovered it was a giant unicorn balloon, leaving its micro plastics in the sea and ready to entangle an unsuspecting animal with its ribbon.

Tell us about how you managed the risks in such varied conditions, particularly the sea crossings?
There were so many crossings on this trip! I find them the hardest paddles of all as the destination doesn’t seem to get any closer for hours and hours and there’s a constant fear that the conditions so far out to sea might change suddenly. All of my crossings carried a calculated risk. I checked condition forecasts carefully and on multiple forecasting tools. I always checked in with the coastguard before and after each paddle and they had a link to my tracker. I carried a VHF so I could contact ships if we were on a collision course, or if the coastguard needed to get hold of me, a GPS tracker and Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) that could be activated in case of real emergency.

I always wear my leash and a personal flotation device, and carry warm clothing, a mobile phone, food and water with me. You just can’t mess with the open ocean! I’ve learnt a profound respect for the power of the oceans, and our vulnerability to them. Despite doing everything within my power to minimise risk on the crossings, I still found myself out to sea on the 20-mile crossing to Arran when a storm hit – in shoulder high swell, with barely any visibility and gale force winds. That was pretty nerve-wracking, and the safety measures were little comfort when everything around me turned black!

There must have been some huge unexpected learning experiences on the expeditions?
Absolutely! On each expedition I learn a lot about myself, and a deeper respect for the ocean. This trip I really learned my limits as I pushed past them a few too many times, and when I thought I should be able to do more than I had that day, I learned I needed to be much kinder to myself. I also learned a lot about my body and nutrition, and how much harder things are on very little or no sleep!

Have you ever been scared and if not – what would it take?
Yes, many times. Particularly on crossings. Before my Mull of Galloway paddle I was physically shaking from fear before entering the water. It was 11.30 at night, pitch black and I had to paddle 20 miles across a large bay, with swell coming in from one side, wind from the other side and no means of navigating except by GPS. I was paddling towards one of the most dangerous tidal races in the UK, where nine tides meet and shipwrecks are numerous. The anticipation of a dangerous stretch is often worse than the reality; I would have to comfort myself knowing that I’d done all I could to minimise risks and understand the conditions. I’d also visualise the paddle, and what I would do in certain scenarios. It helped knowing the coastguard knew I was out to sea each time.

Even on calm days I was often still a bit anxious getting onto the water – once you’re out to sea on a SUP, you’re pretty vulnerable, and I think it would be unwise to approach it without some degree of consideration for the potential dangers. The trick was to not let that stop me from getting on the water – once on the board the anxieties normally quickly subsided.

Do you have one standout moment you remember fondly from your paddles?
The moments with wildlife are my favourite. The first pod of dolphins on my Land’s End to John O’Groats paddle was incredible, they played around my board for a few minutes before heading off in search of fish. I felt very lucky to be out in the ocean with them.

If you could head anywhere in the world to SUP, where would it be and what appeals about this location?
I’d love to SUP in the Arctic. I have never been further north than Scotland, and would love to experience the Icebergs, the colours and the Northern Lights.

What advice you would give to somebody who thinks plastic pollution is out of our control and there is little if anything they can do?
I think this is by far the most dangerous way to think, and a sure fire way to lose any chance of tackling plastic pollution. We all have a part we can play and to become overwhelmed by the enormity of the issue, and paralysed into inactivity, will halt all the forward momentum that is happening. I would suggest looking at all the incredible positive changes that have happened in just the last few years to tackle plastic pollution! Four years ago when I started campaigning, the awareness that there was of an issue was minute. Now there are communities coming together the length of the UK to tackle plastic pollution at source, a plastic bag charge that has reduced usage by over 80% and an upcoming bottle deposit return scheme that promises to hugely increase recycling rates.

Most people you talk to now in the UK have at least some idea that it’s a problem, and many are proud to do what they can to help reduce it. We all need to add our individual voices to this growing movement of people demanding change, and together, collaboratively, we can, and ARE making a difference!

Give us all one piece of advice on cutting down our plastic use.
Try not to feel guilty about what you are using, but to feel positive about what you can avoid! Look at the single use plastic you’re using and try and cut down where possible. Start with a reusable water bottle and commit to not buying single use plastic water bottles at all. There are loads of places to refill for free, check out the ‘refill app’.

If you want to be more involved, I’d strongly recommend finding your local Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Coastlines group, or starting one. The pride and positive action coming from collaboration with these communities is staggering and very reassuring!

If somebody was to follow in the strokes of your long range paddles, what would be your advice?
Never underestimate the power of the ocean, and the vulnerability to it on a SUP. Conditions can change quickly. It’s sometimes as hard to decide not to paddle in marginal conditions as it is to get onto the water, but humility is key.

What do you do to relax?
I like to swim, and sometimes I’ll just go in the sea to bob around – I’ll leave my surfboard at home and just dunk my head under the waves to clear the cookies.

Quickies

If you could paddle with anyone in the world dead or alive, who would it be?
Sylvia Earle

Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?
Can I do it myself?

I like the idea of doing my own stunts!
Are you a bathroom/shower singer and if so what do you sing?

Yes! Oh man, anything that is stuck in my head,
very loud!

Facebook or Twitter?
Facebook

An ideal night out for you is?
A Thai takeaway, a couple of gin and tonics with friends and an early night in my own bed! How times change!

What one luxury item would you take with you on a desert island?
Ipod; I love music. Or cake… I love cake.

What would I find in your fridge right now?
Some dodgy almond milk I have attempted to make myself and a massive chunk of root ginger.

If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?
Veggie chilli – it’s one of the easiest things I can make plastic free!

If you could be a superhero for one day, what superpower would you choose and why?
I’d love to be able to swim underwater for hours on end and explore, swim with the whales and the dolphins, without getting cold and without needing to come up for air.

Favourite film?
Moana (judge all you like!)

Favourite musical track?
Does Moana count as a musical?

What three words would you use to describe you?
Caring, passionate, spontaneous.

Any final shout outs?
Big Massive shout outs to my sponsors: Palm Equipment, Klean Kanteen, Green Tourism, Dryrobe and Starboard SUP. My amazing support team, Lesley Quinn, James Appleton the legendary photographer and my rock throughout, and EVERYBODY who has supported me along my expeditions, brought me food, met up with me along the way or put me up for a night, sent me kind messages or left lovely comments or donated to my fundraising pages. You are incredible and your support really means the world, thank you so much.

Thank you so much Cal for your time.
Thank you guys!