Peter Bray is recovering in hospital

The 40-year-old left St John's in Newfoundland, Canada, on Thursday and had planned to paddle up to 14 hours a day during the North Atlantic Kayak Challenge to Ireland.

Now recovering in hospital in Newfoundland, he said disappointment at what had happened was an understatement.

"But at the same time I was very pleased that the safety systems I had in place worked," Mr Bray said.

"This has put a lot of people's mind at rest that this wasn't a suicide mission or a stupid mission. I knew what I was doing."

Pump inverted

He explained that a pump valve designed to keep water out of the vessel inverted and allowed the kayak to fill up.

"I was sleep at the time," Mr Bray recalled. "I had paddled all though the night so I was in bed.

"When I woke up I noticed there was water in the cabin then I realised the cockpit was full."

But he said there was never any doubt that he would get through, putting his survival down to "mental attitude".

And as if it had not been tested enough, Mr Bray said plans to attempt the crossing next year were already in place.