Sea kayaking by sport enthusiast Dimitris Kokoris
We had a chat with Dimitris Kokkoris, to have a chance to view sea kayaking through his own eyes.
An article of the "Chasing the Greek Adventure" series, as presented on the Redbull website, edited by Yiannis Kotileas and WayOut Adventures.
Here are the six questions he was asked.
“Noticing an ever-increasing demand for an activity that despite the fact it isn’t new in Greece, it remains ideal for all water sports enthusiasts, I couldn't help but talk to my friend and one of the pioneers of the sport, Dimitris Kokkoris. Easy to learn, for all ages and levels, with room for development and of course in the right place, since our country is suitable for enjoyable kayaking, says Yannis Kotileas.
He was 4 years old when he first got on a children windsurf and put on ski boots on the mountain. He’s participated in track, tennis, offshore sailing teams and became a key member of the varsity swimming and polo team. He was trained in martial arts, horse riding, free fall, first aid in extreme environments, became an aerobic trainer and is a certified lifeguard. He loves alpine snowboarding, diving, rock climbing, canyoning and winter mountaineering. His life, in addition to knowledge, experiences, friendships and magical moments, also brought him face to face with difficult situations, accidents, injuries, and even death. In his own words, Nature is the greatest school.
The first time he came into contact with sea kayaking was in 2009, going around Lefkada’s coast. This trip drove him to love the sport. He founded "Cannibals Adventure Team", with the aim of spreading his love for nature and safe outdoor activity and education around the world.
You have been involved in many sports both on land and at sea. What do you think was the main reason you got into sea kayaking? Has anyone been your mentor?
“A dear friend, Venizelos Papagiannopoulos, was looking for someone to go around the coast of Lefkada with him. I had no kayak and no knowledge on the matter. I rented a boat and relied only on my experience at sea. I remember how strongly I had experienced the feeling of absolute freedom, quietness, peace, natural "grounding", being at such beautiful harmony with the environment, but also the intensity of adventure and exploration of my personal limits. It was like experiencing the best all the other sports had to offer all at once."
What are the difficulties you encountered during the challenging undertaking to row across the Aegean Sea?
"To be clear, this trip was on an ocean rowboat and not a sea kayak. The first practical challenge was that I would have to be rowing and doing such a trip non-stop for several days. I didn't know how to prepare for such an endeavor. How do you prepare the body to row for 12 hours every day, in two-hour shifts, while the other 2 hours in the in-between you need to eat, use the bathroom, make the necessary repairs and sleep? In the end, all of that turned out to be less important than the nausea I experienced the first 2 days.
Are you thinking of taking your sea kayaking a step further in the future, attempting to conquer an even bigger challenge?
"My need to exceed my own limitations, while at the same time I, myself, am the one stopping me, is the biggest challenge. The next step is to kayak a long distance, over 120 nautical miles. I want to try it continuously, the way a ship would go about it. Two twenty-four hours straight. If it doesn't work out, at least I'll say I tried. I want to row further into seas, explore new places." says Dimitris.
What do you think will be the evolution of sea kayaking activity in our country? Are there the necessary infrastructures for its development?
"I'll tell you what I would like it to be. I would like to go out to sea and see young and old people, rowing and enjoying the sport. For them go for a walk (a swim??), travel, explore, create new life experiences. Let Greece become a top global destination. We, kayakers, in Greece should all take care of its development together, through mutual understanding and communication, noble competition, and understand that if things go well and are properly coordinated, it’s going to be to everyone’s benefit. Not in a country with "obsolete" legislative texts that limit its development, where there is still no adequate system of training and evaluation for sea kayak drivers, but with a modern framework for the operation and protection of the respective companies and above all a Coast Guard that will not fall short of the infrastructure and rescue procedures for the particular sport."
What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into sea kayaking for the first time? Are there any secrets?
"Before buying anything, be fully informed about the equipment that will meet your needs, that will help you evolve in the sport but also feel safe. Don't skimp on a good paddle. It will protect you from injuries, give you the right push and make you enjoy it more. A life jacket is essential, no matter how great a swimmer you are. Attend a sea kayaking school. Learn proper kinesiology, proper use of equipment, basic navigational principles and safety rules. The nature of this sport is such, that it's easy for us to be enchanted by it and enticed into doing things, for which we may not have proper training. There is but one secret. Enjoy it!"
Can you provide an answer to the ever divisive question; Mountain or sea?
"It’s rather difficult to answer. Great loves can’t be chosen one over the other."
For those who wish to be introduced to the world of sea kayaking, Wayout Adventures organizes unique excursions to beautiful locations in Greece.