In May 2019, Nick Ray leapt into the sea from a Scotland ferry in an attempt to end his life. Three years later, he has embraced the country’s expansive coastline not as an escape from life, but as a new beginning to it.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on Explorersweb.
Nick Ray ventured into the ocean on Sunday from Tobermory, Scotland, with a fully packed sea kayak. He plans to spend the next 12 months exploring the country’s famously beautiful coast — while offering honest commentary about his struggle with depression.
He left on Aug. 28, on his 59th birthday, with plans to return on the day he turns 60.
“For 365 days, I’ll live from my kayak, self-sufficiently and simply, camping wherever I reach every day,” Ray wrote on his website. “For 12 months, I’ll explore the incredible coastline of Scotland, following my heart, my inquisitiveness, and my dreams.”
A longtime guide for Outward Bound, Ray finished several impressive kayaking trips over the last few years. That includes a 1,839-mile kayak journey around Scotland in 2015. And there’s plenty more where that came from: the country’s wealth of islands means it offers an incredible 11,646 miles of coastline, according to Marine Scotland.
For his latest trip, Ray plans to eschew specific goals for a more whimsical approach. He looks forward to just letting himself explore.
“The nature of this adventure is to not set goals,” Ray said. “Where I paddle will be up to me and the weather. I don’t have goals of achieving high mileage, making notable open sea crossings, or specifically reaching defined locations. I have dreams and aspirations, islands to explore, wildlife I’d love to encounter, and people I’d enjoy meeting.”
Dolphins! I couldn’t believe it when I heard them surfacing behind me when I was crossing from Ardnamurchan to the Isle of Mull today. ???? pic.twitter.com/l3o1uD1Esm
— Nick Ray (@LifeAfloat) May 30, 2021
Help is available: Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day.
Kayaking as Therapy
Originally from Zimbabwe, Ray has developed a loyal following online. Not only through videos of his incredible wildlife encounters, but also because of his frank discussions about living with depression.
In his lengthy blog posts, Ray seemingly holds nothing back, detailing his 2019 suicide attempt and the ways he continues to battle depression.
He has more than 36,000 Twitter followers and recently started a new YouTube channel.
Across platforms, Ray writes in a candid voice, reflecting on his ongoing struggle, and the way that kayaking helps him cope.