A UNIVERSITY lecturer is determined to make a point by undertaking a 600km canoe marathon across the Irish Sea and the Lake District’s highest road pass.

University of Cumbria’s Richard Ensoll will be setting off on June 22 in an open canoe from the South West coast of Ireland before heading to Dublin and then crossing 200km of tricky water dominated by busy shipping lanes.

His goal is to reach his home in Ulverston via the town’s canal, accompanied by fellow paddler Tom Bradshaw-Dickinson.

The pair also plan to finish the course at Mr Bradshow-Dickinson’s home at Lazonby, a journey which will take them over Kirkstone Pass, climbing more than 400m.

University of Cumbria students are accompanying them on stretches of the journey and will help drag canoes over the steep mountain road. However, the Irish Sea leg will be done unsupported.

Mr Ensoll said that behind his excitement for the challenge there was a fundamental reason for the three-week trip. He said: “In times of environmental degradation and fragmented relationships, we hope this expedition will increase the understanding of what extended canoe journeys on our doorsteps might bring.

“Perhaps we can influence outdoor providers to do something similar with their clients, encouraging high-quality experiences which are local, low carbon and deeply connected to place.”

Both are experienced canoeists, and similar adventures they have undertaken included a loop from Ulverston via a carry over Coniston Old Man, paddling down the Duddon Valley, around Walney Island, Barrow and across Morecambe Bay.

Mr Ensoll said his canoe commute from Ulverston to University of Cumbria’s Ambleside campus was ‘a bit different’ and it took a whole weekend to get to work on Monday morning.

This new mission will bring its own challenges as the pair will face potentially high waves and tides in their exposed 17ft craft.

“With two long sea crossings, each one will need 20 hours of good weather,” explained Mr Ensoll.

“We could find ourselves on the east coast of Ireland for a week waiting for the right conditions.

“But it’s great to have the backing from our students and I look forward to sharing the findings of what promises to be a challenging quest on many fronts.”

The pair are expecting to hit the English coast at Walney around July.