Sardine Run Inbound - Packing Update – Sardine Run Prep

Today was a full-on packing day, before the rain hits—one of those seemingly endless missions of sorting, cleaning, boxing, and prepping. It always amazes me how much gear it takes to make this expedition run: wetsuits, fins, food, tanks, compressors, tools, trailers, boats, bedding, bulbs, masks, coffee containers, catering kit, and all the random bits that somehow matter more than you think.

Every year it takes ages to get everything up to speed, but this year we’ve made some solid upgrades. We’ve got new bench seats on the back of the boat, brand-new film tables, fully stripped and regalvanised trailers, new bearings, axles, springs—plus upgraded winches that’ll give us way more operational muscle. It’s been a proper overhaul.

The aim? Leave no stone unturned. We want this season to run smoother than ever.

We’ve got a top-notch team this year—Libby, Danny, Sam, and Lara—and we hit the road Monday. The final pack is on Sunday, with a checklist that includes everything from spare tyres to white kettles (don’t laugh—they matter out there).

Operating out of the Wild Coast means we have to be 100% self-sufficient, so every item packed now saves chaos later. It takes a solid week of full-on work—packing, driving, unpacking, setting up—before we can confidently start running trips. But once we get there and everything clicks into place, it’s worth every bit of the grind.

Tonight, it’s just about pushing through. Because with preparation comes confidence—and that’s what makes this whole thing run like it should: smooth, sharp, and ready.

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