Britt Spencer set a world record as the first New Zealander and female to cross the notorious Cook Strait on a prone paddle board. 

In this episode I talk with Kiwi volunteer surf lifesaver Britt Spencer about endurance paddling, and crossing Cook Strait on a prone paddle board. After battling serious health issues and a year planning and training, the Nelson based Strength & Conditioning Coach made history with the crossing in April this year.

Get set for this one – Britt is inspiring! She talks about adapting to things that go wrong in adventure, how she copes in extreme moments of pain and challenge, in what she calls ‘Dark Mode’. We hear about her joy of being out on the water, what motivates her and the surprising food and drink she fuels her endurance paddles with.

Britt’s energy is infectious, and so is her fresh outlook on life.

Join us and be inspired to challenge your own limits.

Connect via Instagram @brittjayspencer 

Youtube @brittjayspencer 

Connect with Saltwater Journal @saltwater_journal

Website: ⁠⁠⁠Saltwater Journal⁠⁠

EPISODE NOTES | Britt

00:56 Life in Nelson

02:30 Competitive swimming

03:25 Introduction to Surf Lifesaving

06:27 Board chat

08:50 Long distance paddling

10:30 First endurance paddle 

12:15 Dark mode 

14:53 Injury and pulmonary embolism

22:02 Crossing Cook Strait

25:00 Weather conditions

30:00 Setting off

35:24 Support crew

38:00 Great White sharks

40:30 Surprise fuel

42:45 Hitting the wall

45:33 Best team

47:35 Land

51:40 Celebrations

54:03 Paddle X documentary 

56:00 Give it a go

59:59 Future plans