The summer of 2007-08 was a big one for South Island circumnavigations with two solo paddlers and one duo from Britain completing South Island unsupported circumnavigations. Although Babs Lindman had announced her plan to be the first woman to paddle around the island, German paddler Freya Hoffmeister jumped the gun, launching late Spring from Okiwi Bay on 24 October 2007.

Freya completed her solo paddle around the South Island on 2 January 2008, at Okiwi Bay, north of Nelson. Her trip took 70 days with 48 paddling days and 22 off for weather or big surf.