Sicomin-sponsored solo kayak crossing takes advantage of composites

Sicomin (Châteauneuf les Martigues, France) a formulator and supplier of epoxy resin systems and high-performance composite solutions, announced on Jan. 25 its sponsorship of extreme paddler Richard Kohler’s solo kayak crossing of the South Atlantic. Working with its South African distributor, Aerontec (Cape Town), Sicomin has provided GreenPoxy bio-based resins, adhesives and epoxy fairing compounds for the build of the eight-meter Ocean X craft that Kohler will paddle.

Formerly a Team Shosholoza America’s Cup sailor, Kohler switched to ocean kayak and surfski paddling a few years back. Now, as of Feb. 2021, he will leave Cape Town, South Africa, and attempt to paddle, solo and unsupported, 6,700 kilometers to Salvador in Brazil, crossing the South Atlantic in his custom designed, torpedo- shaped kayak.

Andrew Parsons from Aerontec, who first became involved in the project in 2020, was able to support Kohler, working alongside designers Richard Bertie and Phil Southwell and Ocean X’s builder, Dylan Soares de Melo — local composite specialists from Further Composites — with a package of Sicomin materials.

Because Kohler will be paddling alone and unsupported, Parsons says, his kayak needs to provide shelter and be capable of carrying all of his provisions for a 2-3 month trip, while also being light enough for a solo paddler to keep moving through ocean swells. To achieve these requirements, Sicomin’s GreenPoxy 33 laminating system was used for a full, lightweight carbon fiber and PVC foam sandwich construction, with SR7200 epoxy adhesive used for all structural bonding of the kayak’s components.    

“For the South Atlantic crossing, Ocean X needs to be strong, light and efficient. Working with Sicomin and Aerontec has been great,” says Kohler. “We’ve got fantastic materials for the build that are more sustainable than traditional epoxies and we’ve had brilliant technical support from the Aerontec team too. I can’t wait to get started now and show everyone what this new design can do.”

In addition to the personal challenge, Kohler is also using his trip to raise funds for the charity Operation Smile, which is active in 34 countries.

Kohler is currently carrying out final preparations to Ocean X and is planning to set off at the end of February, or as soon as the COVID-19 situation in South Africa allows. His journey can be followed on his Instagram channel: richardkohleradventures and on the Sicomin channel: greenpoxy.