If Shipping Forecast bagging ever becomes a thing, then Toby Carr should get the credit. Tragically, Toby’s journey came to an end before he could complete his mission. After surviving cancer once, he knew that the same life-limiting genetic condition that claimed his brother would someday come for him, and it was this awareness that fuelled his incredible adventure.
His sister, Katie Carr, subsequently took on the heart-wrenching task of piecing together his scrawled notes, maps, and social media history to complete his story. Moderate Becoming Good Later, Toby’s book, is now a remarkable tribute not only to his love for the sea but to his extraordinary zest for life, and Katie’s dedication shines through in every page. It’s difficult to imagine how hard it must have been for her to finish it, but in doing so, she has created a life-affirming work that speaks to the power of family, adventure, and love.
Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Cromarty, Forties, Tyne, Dogger, Fisher, German Bight… The mesmeric roll call through the weather conditions affecting our closest seas is familiar to many in the UK and Ireland, both as a comforting and reassuring constant, as well as a very real storm warning service.
The Shipping Forecast Areas With Descriptions
1. Viking
Location: Northeast of Scotland, between Shetland and Norway.
Characteristics: Often subject to strong winds from the North Sea and cold temperatures, especially in winter.
2. North Utsire
Location: Just east of Viking, off the coast of Norway.
Characteristics: Less stormy than Viking but still exposed to North Sea weather systems.
3. South Utsire
Location: South of North Utsire, off the southern Norwegian coast.
Characteristics: Similar to North Utsire but slightly more sheltered, though still open to North Sea conditions.
4. Forties
Location: Southeast of Viking, off the northeast coast of Scotland.
Characteristics: Named after the Forties oil field; generally moderate conditions but prone to North Sea storms.
5. Cromarty
Location: Southeast of Forties, close to the northeast coast of Scotland.
Characteristics: Named after the Cromarty Firth, often has changeable weather, with a mix of North Sea influences.
6. Forth
Location: Southeast of Cromarty, off the east coast of Scotland.
Characteristics: Borders the Firth of Forth; less extreme than northern sea areas, but still prone to strong winds.
7. Tyne
Location: South of Forth, off the northeast coast of England.
Characteristics: Named after the River Tyne; generally moderate but influenced by North Sea storms.
8. Dogger
Location: East of Tyne and Humber, in the central North Sea.
Characteristics: Named after the Dogger Bank, a shallow area. It’s prone to rough seas and strong winds.
9. Fisher
Location: East of Scotland and the north of England, west of German Bight.
Characteristics: Often stormy due to North Sea conditions, with strong winds and rough seas.
10. German Bight
Location: East of Fisher, off the coasts of Germany and the Netherlands.
Characteristics: A shallow sea area prone to gales, often affected by strong westerlies and low-pressure systems.
11. Humber
Location: Off the east coast of England, near the River Humber.
Characteristics: Influenced by North Sea weather systems, often experiences strong winds and choppy seas.
12. Thames
Location: Off the southeast coast of England, south of Humber.
Characteristics: Generally more sheltered but can be choppy, especially in winter due to low-pressure systems from the North Sea.
13. Dover
Location: Southeast of Thames, between the UK and France, at the Strait of Dover.
Characteristics: A busy and narrow sea passage, often affected by strong tidal currents and wind.
14. Wight
Location: Around the Isle of Wight, off the southern coast of England.
Characteristics: More sheltered than other areas, but can experience strong winds from the English Channel.
15. Portland
Location: West of Wight, off the Dorset coast.
Characteristics: Part of the English Channel, with frequent strong westerly winds and choppy waters.
16. Plymouth
Location: Southwest of Portland, off the Devon and Cornwall coast.
Characteristics: Influenced by both Atlantic and Channel weather, with frequent westerly winds.
17. Biscay
Location: West of France and north of Spain, in the Bay of Biscay.
Characteristics: Known for large Atlantic swells and stormy conditions, especially in winter.
18. Trafalgar
Location: South of Biscay, off the southern coast of Spain, near Cape Trafalgar.
Characteristics: Warmer than northern regions, with Mediterranean influences but can be stormy during Atlantic disturbances.
19. FitzRoy (formerly Finisterre)
Location: Southwest of Biscay, off the northwest coast of Spain.
Characteristics: Named after Admiral Robert FitzRoy, often stormy with heavy Atlantic swells.
20. Sole
Location: South of Ireland and west of the UK, between Biscay and Fastnet.
Characteristics: Often stormy, influenced by Atlantic depressions and large swells.
21. Lundy
Location: Off the southwest coast of England, near Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel.
Characteristics: Sheltered compared to Atlantic-facing areas, but still prone to strong winds.
22. Fastnet
Location: Off the southern coast of Ireland.
Characteristics: Named after the Fastnet Rock; exposed to Atlantic weather systems with frequent gales.
23. Irish Sea
Location: Between Ireland and the UK.
Characteristics: Generally sheltered but can be choppy, especially in winter, with strong tidal currents.
24. Shannon
Location: Off the west coast of Ireland.
Characteristics: Exposed to Atlantic storms, with strong winds and rough seas.
25. Rockall
Location: North of Shannon, west of Scotland and Ireland.
Characteristics: Very exposed to the full force of Atlantic storms, with rough seas and strong winds.
26. Malin
Location: North of Ireland, off the coast of Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Characteristics: Affected by both Atlantic and North Sea weather, often rough with strong winds.
27. Hebrides
Location: West of the Hebrides Islands, off the northwest coast of Scotland.
Characteristics: Exposed to Atlantic weather, with frequent strong winds and rough seas.
28. Bailey
Location: North of Rockall, west of Scotland.
Characteristics: Exposed to some of the worst Atlantic weather, with frequent gales and rough seas.
29. Fair Isle
Location: Between the Orkney and Shetland Islands, north of Scotland.
Characteristics: Often stormy, with strong winds funnelling through the narrow seas between the islands.
30. Faeroes
Location: Southeast of Iceland, near the Faroe Islands.
Characteristics: Frequently rough seas and strong winds due to Atlantic depressions, especially in winter.
31. Southeast Iceland
Location: Off the southeast coast of Iceland.
Characteristics: Cold and exposed, with frequent gales and rough seas driven by North Atlantic low-pressure systems.
For London-based Toby Carr, the Shipping Forecast was something he grew up listening to with his father, a keen sailor. It was in the blood, and Toby started kayaking about 7 years ago at Tower Hamlets Canoe Club where he joined the beginners’ course on Shadwell Basin. He progressed through various BCU awards and became an Advanced Water Sea Leader and Coach.
Soon, he was joining trips further afield, exploring the UK coastline, whitewater kayaking in the Alps, and expedition paddling in Arctic Greenland. The idea of a trip around the Shipping Forecast grew, and when at the age of 38 his brother died of cancer related to a genetic condition they both shared, Toby knew it was time to make it real.
Awarded a Churchill Fellowship, Toby set off.
“Although I’d visited some of them, I found myself beginning to wonder about the further areas of the Shipping Forecast as a personally relevant way to expand my horizons and visit some of our closest neighbouring coasts. I wanted to take on a bigger adventure and see as many wild and beautiful places as I could. Much of the trip has been solo paddling, but an important part of it for me is meeting people along the way and sharing the journey. I hadn’t really paddled on my own before apart from a few solo trips on the Thames. I’d solo camped on a cycling trip to Norway a few years previously, partly as I wanted to test myself, and I suppose I knew that there would be a bigger adventure on the horizon.”
There certainly was.
At the time we talked to Toby, kayaking the Shipping Forecast had already taken him to Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. He crossed the Viking Sea, kayaked to the remote islands of Utsira and Helgoland, heard stories of Faroese giants, whales and seabirds. He ate boiled sheep’s head, fish balls, and herring, crawled through lava tunnels, and negotiated Norway’s Bermuda Triangle. Toby’s journey became an exploration of history, myth, and nature, connecting with people who shared his passion for the sea.
Between sea jaunts, Toby used to reflect on his travels while paddling the Thames.
Kayaking Organisations along the River Thames
Located near Pimlico, this club offers kayaking and canoeing for all ages and abilities along the central stretch of the Thames.
Based in Richmond, this is one of the oldest canoe clubs in the UK, focusing on racing and recreational kayaking on the scenic upper Thames.
A private kayaking tour operator offering guided trips along the historic landmarks of the River Thames, especially in central London.
Situated in Teddington, this club is renowned for its involvement in canoe sprint racing and offers both competitive and recreational kayaking.
Although primarily a rowing club, they offer some kayaking opportunities for members, located near Chiswick Bridge on the Tideway section of the Thames.
Operating at multiple locations, including Hillingdon and Southall, The Sharks offer kayaking sessions and courses for both beginners and more experienced paddlers along the western sections of the Thames.
Based in central London, this club provides kayaking coaching and guided tours on the Thames, focusing on technical skills and river safety.
A provider of kayaking tours on the Thames, specialising in paddling trips through London’s iconic riverside landmarks, such as Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.
A small, friendly club based in Putney, offering kayaking for beginners and experienced paddlers on the tidal sections of the Thames.
10. Docklands Sailing & Watersports Centre
Based in the Docklands area, this centre offers kayaking activities on the Thames, as well as sailing and other water sports for all ages.
“It’s a huge asset to have this big watery playground blasting through the middle of the city and when I discovered it and that you could go on it, I think it really opened up London for me. With fast tides, a 7.5m difference between high and low and lots of traffic, it needs to be treated with respect but is also great fun.
As it becomes cleaner it’s also a haven for wildlife, birds, fish and even the occasional seal. It’s also so rich in history and is the reason behind the founding of the city as a trading port with the rest of the world. Almost every year, we do a trip out to Gravesend and back, and you can roughly do it on one tide each way. It’s great to pass through the barrier and see the river widen out and the landscape open up into the marshy hinterlands.
Paddling at night past the container ships at Tilbury is an amazing experience and certainly puts you in your place. Then heading back in you catch glimpses of the city as the river winds and bends upstream. I love passing Greenwich, and thinking of the many voyages of discovery that would have caught the same view as they returned to London.”
Toby’s reflections on the Thames, and on his Shipping Forecast journey, remind us of the importance of seizing every moment. His story continues to inspire, and his legacy, carried forward by his sister, is a testament to the enduring power of adventure, family, and an undying love for the sea.
Thanks to Toby Carr for providing this inspirational story. Safe travels.
#LondonMountainFilmFestival #SeaKayakingLondon #ThamesKayaking #KayakingTheShippingForecast
