Bruce Kirkby
SUP Adventurer Profile

Bruce Kirkby

As an adventurer, paddler, photographer and writer based in Kimberley, British Columbia and journey's to over 80 countries, Bruce is recognized for connecting wild places with contemporary issues. He is passionate about pushing the boundaries of what possible on wilderness SUP adventures.

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Bruce Kirkby

Home: Kimberley, British Columbia

Board Setup: Starboard (full quiver stretching from race to expedition to river to surf)

Paddle of Choice: Andaman 520

Other Sponsors: Starboard, MEC, Vasque, Astral, Mustang Survival

Website: http://brucekirkby.com/

The Questions We Ask

Bruce, a member of Starboard's Dream Team, came to paddleboarding on a whim, organizing a 100km fundraising marathon with two buddies in 2012. And he’s never looked back. Today--whether travelling on lake, river or ocean--Bruce is passionate about pushing the limits of possibly on wilderness SUP journeys, often alongside Blackfish teammate Norm Hann.

With journeys spanning more than eighty countries and thirty years, Kirkby’s accomplishments beyond SUP include the first modern crossing of Arabia’s Empty Quarter by camel, a descent of Ethiopia’s Blue Nile Gorge by raft, a sea kayak traverse of Borneo’s northern coast and a coast-to-coast Icelandic trek. He has spent three decades guiding wilderness expeditions, from rafts in the Canadian Arctic to sea kayaking journeys in the Caribbean.

A columnist for The Globe and Mail, author of three bestselling books and winner of multiple National Magazine Awards, Kirkby’s work has appeared in the New York Times, Outside magazine and Canadian Geographic.

Achievements
  • 2020: Rounding Cape Scott, Vancouver Island - 200km in 7 days:
  • 2019: Grease Trail, Great Bear Rainforest - 230km in 5 days:
  • 2018: Crossing Lake Ontario solo - 50km open water:
  • 2014: Vancouver Island Outer Coast solo - 500km in 11 days:
  • 2012: Vancouver to Victoria - 150km in 5 days:
Photo Gallery