Joe Kennedy spent 31 days paddling over 1,400 kilometres to circumnavigate New Brunswick. The 62 year old Hampton resident completed the journey this summer to prove you do not need to leave the province for a world class adventure.

According to a report by CBC News, Kennedy planted the seed for this trip eight years ago after paddling the Saint John River with his wife.

“In retirement, I was looking at potentially a northern canoe trip, or you know, a more remote, exotic multi week adventure, and then I realized that I didn’t need to leave this province to have that experience,” Kennedy told CBC.

Image source: Submitted by Joe Kennedy via CBC News

Mapping the 1,400 Kilometre Route

Kennedy started his journey in May at Petit Rocher on the Bay of Chaleur. He navigated the upper reaches of the Kedgwick River and worked his way down the province. When he reached St. Stephen, he swapped his river kayak for an 18 foot fibreglass sea kayak built for open water speed.

He paddled the Bay of Fundy to Saint John and took a three week break to let the water and air temperatures warm up. On July 1, he resumed his trip, paddling from Saint John all the way back to Petit Rocher.

He skipped Grand Manan, Deer Island, and Campobello because he had paddled them before. High winds also forced him to bypass Miscou and Lameque.

Overcoming Land Crossings and Flat Tires

While Kennedy completed the trip mostly solo, he relied on a bit of help. He used a canoe cart to walk his kayak between the Saint John River and the St. Croix River system. A flat tire five kilometres from his destination stopped him in his tracks. A local resident loaded his gear into her truck and drove him to North River.

Later, facing an 18 kilometre walk between Sackville and Port Elgin, he called his wife for a lift to Baie Verte. He also carried a spot satellite transmitter so she could track his movements and emergency services could find him if necessary.

“My wife has been the unfortunate survivor of many of my harebrained experiences,” Kennedy said. “I have left her for weeks in the past, and she didn’t really come out openly and say, ‘Are you crazy?’ Because she knew that I had the capability of doing this.”

Wild Camping and Coastal Wildlife

To keep his kayak light, Kennedy packed dehydrated food. Finding fresh water proved to be his biggest daily challenge. He sourced water from visitor centres, parks, and campgrounds along the route.

He spent only one night in a paid campground. He preferred sleeping on riverbanks and wild islands.

“It’s ironic to me that you know you have to pay money to camp in a campground where it’s loud and not nearly as pretty as camping on a wild island in the middle of a river, just you with birds singing all around you,” he said.

Image source: Submitted by Joe Kennedy via CBC News

As a retired wildlife biologist, Kennedy enjoyed close encounters with nature. He spotted grey seals, a school of sea bass, and seabirds like puffins and razorbills near the Saint John Harbour.

Kennedy hopes his 31 day journey inspires you to explore your own backyard.

“I was very, very happy to have been able to complete this project and show to other adventurers that, you know, you can have your own interesting adventure without having to leave the province,” he said.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long did it take Joe Kennedy to kayak around New Brunswick?

It took Kennedy 31 days of active paddling to complete the 1,400 kilometre journey.

Where did the kayak trip start and end?

The trip started and ended in Petit Rocher, located on the Bay of Chaleur in northern New Brunswick.

Did he paddle the entire way without stopping?

No. Kennedy took a three week break in Saint John to wait for warmer weather and water temperatures before completing the second half of his trip.

What kind of kayak did he use?

He used a river kayak for the inland water systems and switched to an 18 foot fibreglass sea kayak in St. Stephen for the open ocean sections.