Kayaker 'riding out' bad weather

Scott Donaldson on his transtasman kayaking challenge. SUPPLIED

The wife of a transtasman kayaker is eagerly awaiting her husband's return, despite bad weather pushing him further away from land.

Scott Donaldson is hoping to be the first person to kayak solo across the Tasman sea, and has been at sea for nearly three months after departing from Coffs Harbour in New South Wales on April 19.

Mr Donaldson was within sight of land, but poor weather hampered his attempts and he is still 34 nautical miles - 62km - off the coast of Taranaki, and drifting further out.

Mr Donaldson's wife Sarah is in New Plymouth waiting for his arrival with friends and family.

She was speaking to her husband regularly, keeping his motivation up and making sure he was ok.

"He has been out there for months, but it is just one of those things where we have to ride it out."

Celebrations were on hold as Mrs Donaldson admitted her husband would be "exhausted" when he arrived.

"I just want to make sure he is healthy and well and has assistance with everything he needs."

Taupo rescue pilot John Funnell said Mr Donaldson was now drifting further away, and had wind coming at him from all directions.

Forecasters have predicted rough weather will continue for a few days, Mr Funnell said.
The delay was "disappointing for everyone".

"Scott knows there's not a lot he can do about this, he's been preparing for this for ages and he just has to hunker down and rest up."

A ship sent to shadow Mr Donaldson to shore was forced to returned to port because of bad weather.

The MV Reef Spirit set sail from New Plymouth on Monday with the intention of remaining with him to the finish. But weather conditions became so bad, it was deemed too dangerous for the vessel to stay.

Conditions were expected to abate by Saturday and Mr Donaldson was expected to reach landfall at Port Taranaki by Sunday or Monday, Mr Funnell said.