Mustang Survival ambassadors, Scott "Skip" Innes and Craig Sawyer, two avid stand-up paddle boarders (SUP), became the first British duo to conquer the Yukon 1000 in 2023. They completed the world’s longest unsupported paddle race along the Yukon River in 8 days, 13 hours, and 3 mins.
Skip Innes
Scott "Skip" Innes' enthusiastic love for the outdoors and adventure has driven him to be in and on the water all his life.
Over ten years ago, Skip left the rat race and set up The SHAC (The Surrey Hills Adventure Company), based in the South of England, to share his passion and knowledge of the water and the great outdoors with others. His mission is to introduce individuals and groups of all ages to the benefits of stand-up paddle boarding, mountain biking, outdoor/wild swimming, Bushcraft, and the outdoors in general.
A decade later, he can still be found waterside, in the hills, or in the woods, teaching and connecting with like-minded people, taking on fresh adventures and looking for new challenges.
Skip, along with his other outdoor activities, is an adventure paddler, has paddled in numerous locations and destinations in the UK and all over the world, and has several firsts under his belt.
His biggest adventure to date has been competing in the Yukon 1000, the world's longest paddle and survival race, which he, alongside his teammate Craig Sawyer, completed in July 2023. They paddled 1000 miles along the mighty Yukon River from Canada to Alaska, completely unsupported. Skip and Craig won the SUP division that year and are the first British Team ever and one of only eight other teams worldwide to complete this epic challenge. Their finishing time was an impressive 8 days, 13 hours and 3 minutes.
Who knows what's next for this committed adventurer?
Fast Facts:
- Once attempted to break the world record for walking the furthest distance Backwoods in 24hrs.
- Was the first person ever to paddle a SUP under the bridge over the river Kwai and to circumnavigate the island of Koh Samet solo.
- DNA test results have me as 93% Scottish from the Moray Firth region.
- Loves playing and writing music and has sometimes been known to busk out a few tunes live!
- Never learned to sail but have always wanted to.
- Is a qualified mountain bike coach/guide, open water swimming coach, eFoil instructor, and a SUP instructor/guide.
Follow Skip:
Intsagram: @skipattheshac
Instagram: @thesurrethillsadventurecompany
Web: Home - The SHAC
Craig Sawyer
In recent years, Craig has found a passion for ultra-endurance SUP racing and expeditions, where age becomes less of a factor—or indeed can actually be an advantage—and accumulated life experience can lead to improved performance, as can a greater understanding of your own strengths, weaknesses, and resilience.
Along with his teammate Scott 'Skip' Innes, in 2023, he became part of the first British duo to conquer the Yukon 1000. This audacious and grueling 1000-mile unsupported survival race takes participants into the heart of the Arctic Circle, pushing the limits of human endurance and resilience. Traditionally a canoe and kayak race, Craig and Skip completed the race on a Stand-Up Paddle Board in 8 days, 13 hours and 3 mins - well within the race's ten-day off. They took first place in the SUP category and are among only eight SUP teams to have completed the race.
With an eye for capturing moments and stories, Craig harnesses his passion for exploration and storytelling by weaving his adventures and experiences together into captivating visuals.
Whether he's out on the water, planning his next expedition or working with other SUP endurance athletes looking to take on immense challenges, Craig embodies a spirit of relentless determination and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. He hopes his journey inspires others to live life to the fullest and be unafraid to take on challenges that test their physical and mental boundaries.
Favourite Gear:
- Greenwater 35ltr Submersible Drybags - perfect for SUP expeditions as they sit flat on the deck, are low profile, easy to access contents and indestructible
- Trident PFD - plenty of storage in the front pockets, well-shaped to avoid chaffing (available in CAN + USA)
- Callan Hooded Jacket - super lightweight, soft to wear, and keeps out even the harshest of weathers (as proven on the Yukon 1000)
- Callan Shorts – extremely hard-wearing
- Torrens Hooded Jacket - warm in and around camp but just as versatile and breathable while paddling—plus warm even when wet, as Craig discovered when he capsized during the Yukon 1000.
Fast Facts:
- First tried SUP in 2010, didn't understand the attraction and didn’t think he would do it again!
- Played in a band in the early 2000’s that had airplay on Radio 1.
- Have a fear of gaps between spiralling staircases.
- Is a Qualified Personal Trainer.
Follow Craig:
Web: www.theupcoach.co.uk
Instagram: @thesupcoach
Instagram: @teamshacyukon1000
Well done guys!
