Freya Hoffmeister and Greg Stamer made plans to circumnavigate Iceland in June/July 2007 on short notice after listening to a presentation about rounding Iceland at the inspiring Anglesey Sea Kayak Symposium in Wales. 

They had only two days of planning in Germany, before they went to Newfoundland to teach at another symposium and spend eight days touring the coast in cold, stormy conditions as a 'dry run' for their planned trip. 

After Newfoundland, they had only another week to prepare at home before embarking on the expedition to circumnavigate Iceland.

Hoffmeister and Stamer set off at 10:30 a.m. on June 9, 2007. They started with a 90 km crossing of Faxafloi Bay on the first day, followed by another 100 km day with a 65 km crossing and 22 hours of total water time on the second day due to some early arriving headwinds. 

Headland to headland directed the trip, with some calm weather on the west and north coasts, but challenging conditions on the east and the notoriously remote black sand south coast.

Although this was not a race, the team completed the circumnavigation in record time, including two long open water crossings never before attempted by kayak. "The trip was a great experience, and we enjoyed pushing our limits in some very challenging conditions," said Stamer.

Along the way, they encountered large numbers of whales, dolphins and large seals, saw skies darkened by blizzards of seabirds, and were humbled by mountains, glaciers, waterfalls and cliffs of massive dimensions.

• Paddle partner Greg Stamer

• 1620 km 

• 33 days 

• 25 paddling days 

• 65 km per day on average

• 100 + 90 km crossing

• Fastest ever circumnavigation up to today

• 100 

• 7th and 8th person

• 3rd woman