*SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOARDMAN TASKER AWARD FOR MOUNTAIN LITERATURE*

Mark Agnew was part of the first team ever to kayak the northwest passage - spending 103 days in the Arctic.


The infamous route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans had defeated countless explorers for centuries, and Mark himself had failed on two previous expeditions to row across the Atlantic. Pushed to the brink, on the verge of turning his back on the adventures that had made him feel alive, he experienced a mental health crisis and almost abandoned the water forever.


Charting an inspirational journey from failure to world record breaker, in There Will Be Headwinds Mark reflects on his struggles and reveals the lessons from sports psychology that allowed him to conquer his demons and achieve something truly remarkable. An astonishing story of ice, suffering and camaraderie, There Will Be Headwinds is a testament to the power of teamwork, determination and ambition - and a celebration of the human spirit of adventure.

A gripping tale of a truly intrepid adventure. Agnew's recounting of this world-first Arctic expedition is enjoyable, candid and compelling in equal measure. From the challenges of team dynamics and personal growth to hair-raising wildlife encounters and the constant battle with capricious weather, this book has something for everyone. * Charlie Walker, author of Through Sand & Snow *
A beautifully captured, utterly pristine voyage through a seascape of giant ice. Agnew captures the wonderful sense of being small and vulnerable, and yet doggedly paddling to the horizon. * Mark Beaumont, author of Around the World in 80 Days *
This is the sort of epic adventure that inspired me to dream of big journeys. A classic journey in a truly wild world. * Alastair Humphreys, author of Microadventures *
A splendid read and insight into Polar exploration and human nature. * Andrew Appleby, president of the John Rae Society *
A gripping book, hard to put down. The visceral descriptions transport the reader to the Arctic. * Sir David Hempleman-Adams *
This is not just a story of adventure, it's a raw and honest account of what happens when a small group takes on an extreme challenge in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Expect a journey of camaraderie, conflict and survival. Of fast ice, fierce storms, and prowling bears. Of strained friendships, shifting mental health, and moments of real danger. With the constant threat of disaster never far away, this is a story of persistence and the limits of the human spirit - told with insight, humility, and an eye for the moments that matter. * Ed Peppitt, author of The Beacon Bike *

Mark Agnew is an adventurer, journalist and motivational keynote speaker. Mark was a novice kayaker when he cast off from shore to paddle the entire Northwest Passage - 103 days later, Mark and his teammates made history as they entered the Beaufort Sea, marking the other end of the Northwest Passage, setting two world Firsts in the process. He now works as a motivational keynote speaker, sharing his story and the lessons from his time in the Arctic.