After paddling 2,042 kilometres along the inside west passage from Alaska to Canada the film documenting the journey of Lucy Graham and Mathilde Gordon travelled the world as part of the 2021 Ocean Film Festival World tour. Together Lucy and Mathilde embarked on an extraordinary kayaking journey along the coast of Alaska and Canada that would challenge everything they knew about adventure and environmental advocacy.
Their expedition was remarkable not just for its distance, but for the audacity of two women who had never before completed a multi-day kayaking trip. The journey, meticulously documented in their film ‘Changing Tides’, became a testament to human resilience, environmental consciousness, and the power of pushing beyond perceived limitations.
Throughout their challenging three-month voyage, Lucy and Mathilde did more than paddle – they proved that living plastic-free is possible even in the most demanding conditions, transforming their personal challenge into a powerful environmental message that resonated with audiences worldwide.
In the years following their groundbreaking trip, both Lucy and Mathilde embraced what they call “micro-adventures”. Mathilde explored the Great Barrier Reef, discovered waterfalls around Cairns, and even embarked on a 351-kilometre bike tour in France with her sister.
Lucy continued to explore and challenge herself. She completed a 4-day off-track walk through the Tropical Rainforest in Far North Queensland, an 8-day hike in Tasmania, and enjoyed kayaking and tramping adventures across New Zealand and Australia.
Exciting news for fans of ‘Changing Tides’: There will be a special screening of the film in Cairns on January 17th 2025, giving audiences another chance to experience their incredible journey.
Lucy’s next adventure is perhaps her most ambitious yet. In June 2025, she’s preparing for a 3,100-kilometre solo canoe journey down the Yukon River – a Source to Sea expedition that promises to be as transformative as her previous maritime adventure.
From mid-June to early September 2025, Lucy will navigate the vast and wild Yukon, paddling through diverse landscapes, encountering wildlife, and connecting with the First Nations cultures along the river. Her approach remains consistent with her previous expeditions – minimal environmental impact, deep respect for the landscape, and a commitment to sharing stories of nature and human resilience.
Unlike her previous ocean kayaking trip, this expedition is solo. She’ll be using her extensive experience as a former wilderness guide, combining physical preparation with mental strategies developed through managing a chronic pain condition. Her goal isn’t to set speed records, but to immerse herself in the journey, take time to explore, and connect with the environment and communities along the way.
Followers can track Lucy’s progress on www.passageadventures.org, where she’ll be maintaining a blog and sharing her experiences. She also hopes to create a film documenting this remarkable journey, continuing her tradition of using adventure as a platform for environmental awareness and storytelling.
For those inspired by Lucy (and Mathilde’s) previous adventures, this new expedition promises to be another captivating chapter in their ongoing narrative of exploration, environmental consciousness, and human potential.
We’re so excited for Lucy!
Get your tickets to watch Changing Tides in Cairns HERE
