Salt Water and Spear Tips Book
Expedition Book of the Year – NAFF | Book Awards 2020
“The adventurer tells his story with brutal honesty.”
— Marie Claire Australia
Available now from major bookstores and online at:
Pegasuspublishers.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au
About the Book
Salt Water and Spear Tips by Thor F. Jensen (Pegasus Publishers, 2020) chronicles the world's first circumnavigation of the island of New Guinea in a traditional sailing canoe.
This daring 13-month expedition began in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, where Thor, a Danish filmmaker, set sail under the apprenticeship of three master sailors: Sanakoli John, Justin John, and Job Siyae. Together they formed “The Fellowship of the Tawali Pasana”—a brotherhood forged at sea.
Over 6300 kilometers of open ocean, they battled monsoon winds, pirates, crocodiles, and exhaustion, navigating the Arafura, Seram, Bismarck, and Pacific Oceans. The mission wasn’t just about endurance—it was about celebrating the incredible seafaring culture of Papua New Guinea and inspiring future generations.
What Others Are Saying
“Sailing a traditional outrigger canoe around the vast island of New Guinea is a journey through time, across myriad cultures upon the far-flung seas of Arafura, Seram, Bismarck, and the Pacific Ocean. Thor’s voyage shows that in the 21st Century there are still great adventures!”
— Peter Hillary, Adventurer | peterhillary.com
“The world’s first circumnavigation of New Guinea in a traditional sailing canoe again illustrates, as my father once said: ‘To travel, to experience and learn: that is to live.’”
— Norbu Tenzing Norgay, Himalayan Foundation | himalayan-foundation.org
“Thor’s adventure is an encouragement to anyone who dares to do.”
— Sarah Outen, Explorer | sarahouten.com
Back Cover Summary
A Danish filmmaker, under the apprenticeship of three Papua New Guinean master sailors, set off from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, on the 30th of August 2016 on a world-record circumnavigation of the island of New Guinea in a traditional sailing canoe called the Tawali Pasana. Over the course of 13 months and 21 days – and some 6300 km of high adventure – what became known as ‘the fellowship of the Tawali Pasana’ created a modern-day odyssey (on a shoestring budget) battling relentless monsoon winds, dangerous seas, pirates and crocodiles. Prevailing against all the odds, the voyage generated enormous media coverage and inspired the young people of New Guinea to celebrate their extraordinary seafaring culture.
Available now from major bookstores and online at:
Pegasuspublishers.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au