David Golightly: The Great St Kilda Canoe Missions - 1877

13 April 2008

In 1877 the Reverend Fairey of St Kilda assembled Australia’s first sea kayak from an English model. He launched his boat from St Kilda Pier to undertake an amazing journey of 200 kilometres. It was named ‘The Evangelist’. The reverend built his boat as a sportsman and to assist him to undertake his missionary activities and visit his parishioners by sea. His astonishing journey took him through the Port Phillip Heads to the Barwon River. 130 years later the Victorian Sea Kayak Club Sea Kayak re-enacted this remarkable journey to honour their founding member.