Kayaker recovering after monster effort

Scott Donaldson is reunited with his wife Sarah after three months at sea. Photo / File

Transtasman kayaker Scott Donaldson has turned to the relatively benign tasks of writing and public speaking only weeks after battling severe storms and stomach-churning ocean swells.

The former Rotorua athlete was rescued on July 14, just 90km shy of the Taranaki coast, having paddled more than 2200km in a cramped purpose-built kayak - enduring much of the journey without a rudder.

For his feat Mr Donaldson, now back living in Coffs Harbour, has been chosen as Rotorua Daily Post Person of the Month for July.

Since being hauled off the kayak, much of his time has been spent answering media requests and public speaking on both sides of the Tasman, he said.

"It's good to get the feet back on the ground, although I have only been back here for the past 10 days and haven't had much time to settle in.

"I've had a couple of guest speaking engagements with corporates and I'm also trying to write about the journey."

The constant message in his addresses "is getting off your backside," as well as continuing to raise awareness of asthma.

"There's also the safety side of doing things like this," he said.

His eventual rescue was a "clear demonstration of following the safety protocols," he said.

"There are rules and this was an example of how to follow them."

There is a whisper a book may be in the pipeline but that is as far as he would comment on the subject.

"I'm writing down my recollections but I can't say much more."

His body, which took a pounding in severe storms, was in good shape, he said.

"I'm feeling great apart from a little bit of numbness around the elbows and knees, which will take a while to get back to 100 per cent."

Another attempt has not been totally dismissed either.

He estimated "several hundred thousand" dollars would be needed to fund another attempt.

"I'd do it again but it has to be funded properly, there's no way I would repeat another five years of preparation, and only some decent funding would avoid that.

"There's a couple of people looking into it for me to see if it is possible."

Mr Donaldson said he was enjoying making up for valuable time with his wife Sarah, and 4-year-old son Zak after three months apart.

Though now based in Coffs Harbour, he expects to return to Rotorua in a few months for a catch up with friends, he said.