Former Rotorua man Scott Donaldson battling 6m swell in kayak journey to NZ

Scott Donaldson is making good progression his solo kayak Tasman crossing

Former Rotorua swim coach Scott Donaldson has been pushed around by 6m swells while he sleeps but continues to make good progress as he heads toward New Zealand.

Donaldson is on a mission to become the first person to kayak solo from Australia to New Zealand. This is his third attempt.

After a brief stop at Lord Howe Island, Donaldson was back in the kayak last Friday morning and now sits around 220km to the east of the island and around 900km from Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales coast where he left from on May 2.

Scott Donaldson departed Lord Howe Island on Friday. Photo/Craig Thompson

"He's made great progress to date," Rotorua-based team leader Nigel Escott said.

"Over last couple of days he has encountered some unfavourable conditions at night, which when he's been asleep has pushed him north around 15-20km each night. But during the days he's still been able to make good progress to the East."

Scott Donaldson is making good progression his solo kayak Tasman crossing

Escott said Donaldson was battling an opposing current and 6m swells. The objective for today was to paddle to where the current was more favourable.

Donaldson is aiming to make landfall on the Taranaki Coast – a distance of 2200 kilometres although he will likely paddle 3000 kilometres.

The paddle is also to raise awareness about asthma, a condition he suffers from. Donations can be made via Givealittle.