"It's a perfect day for it," the 31-year-old acupuncturist said, as he launched his vessel at noon yesterday in front of 30 supporters.
"It's like that mountaineer [George Mallory] said when they asked him why he climbed Everest and he said 'Because it's there'. It's the same thing for me," Mr Daniels said.
Last night he told the Otago Daily Times: "I still have the desire ... but I am tired and this is not the time".
Mr Daniels spent the past six months with an angle grinder transforming a 6.4m surf canoe into a 4.8m hull, which he named Yahwaka.
"The name is about the relationship between God and the self and other people. The vessel will allow me to stand-up paddle, row and windsurf the entire coastline," he said.
While his enthusiasm was not dampened when he was tipped from his vessel just seconds after launch, when his front hatch started slowly taking on water near Brighton, about 750, from shore, he had little option but to call maritime radio and activate his emergency beacon.
Senior Sergeant Craig Brown said the radio call, coupled with an emergency beacon being activated and residents calling police, led to some initial confusion and a helicopter being placed on standby.
Shortly before 6pm, an inflatable rescue boat was dispatched, towing Mr Daniels to safety.
Before setting out on his journey, he told the Otago Daily Times he needed to average 70km a day to complete the 40-day adventure.
"It's a challenge, but it's achievable. I'll just see what the weather gives me on different days. But, I'll give it everything I've got."
He had planned to travel around the South Island in a clockwise direction between 5km and 10km out to sea.
"I'll be mainly hugging the coast and beach hopping. My first stop will be about 40km down the coast. I'll try to land early and get up early.
"Night-time will be the worst bit. I'm not too worried about sharks. There's a big school of them down near Stewart Island, so I'll just keep on moving," he said.
"If there's a tsunami, I'll either get into shore or head further out to sea, whichever's the safest option. "If it gets too bad, I can always set the Epirb off."
However, Mr Daniels said the adventure was not about promoting a message.
"I hope that what I'm doing is the message."
He was scheduled to arrive back at St Kilda Beach on Saturday, April 23, but returned to his Dunedin home last night.
