Tom Hudson stepped onto the streets of Montreal on August 11, 2026, bringing to a close a coast‑to‑coast canoe expedition that spanned two years. The New Zealander arrived with a single canoe after traversing the length of Canada from one shoreline to the other.
Hudson began the journey two years earlier after purchasing a canoe despite having no previous paddling experience. He set out from his starting point with only the vessel and a plan to follow Canada’s extensive network of lakes and rivers, moving steadily toward the eastern seaboard.
Over the course of the trek, Hudson navigated a succession of inland waterways, crossing numerous lakes and traveling down a variety of rivers. Each segment required him to adjust to differing water conditions and to manage the logistics of a long‑term paddling expedition without prior expertise.
The arrival in Montreal represents the final leg of a trip that took him across the country’s diverse geographic regions. By the time he reached the city, Hudson had completed a continuous two‑year passage that linked the country’s western and eastern coasts by water.
Hudson’s accomplishment adds to the record of long‑distance canoe journeys across Canada, highlighting the possibility of undertaking such a venture even without a background in paddling. His two‑year odyssey, which began with the simple act of buying a canoe, now concludes in Montreal, marking the end of a coast‑to‑coast waterborne adventure.