Page 63 - The Gazette Autumn 2023

to move behind the Isle of Sheppey where we had to stay for four days! This was not the start we wanted.
Once the wind dropped, we zoomed around the Kent corner, past the port of Dover and onwards to the Isle of Wight. After a short anchor to wait for the tide to turn we were off again, and it was not long before we were at Land’s End. We were lucky enough to see Dolphins, including a pod of about 20 who were showing off all their jumping skills and swimming under the boat and around us. It was so magical.
After Land’s End we knew the hot weather would not last and the Celtic and Irish sea fully demonstrated why Ireland and Wales are so very green! The foul weather clothing was fully tested but the wind was still in our favour, so we moved fast having caught up the time we had lost in the first four days.
The boat we used had been speciality modified by the University of Portsmouth to include noise monitoring, environmental DNA, micro plastics surveying, and water salinity. This data will be analysed by the university and compared to data from last year. This makes the GB Row challenge different and a row with a purpose.
When we reached Northern Ireland, we anchored at a lovely bay to wait for the tide to turn and make the crossing to the Mull of Kintyre. For the skipper this is where it all went wrong last year. Wg Cdr (Rtd) Emma Wolstenholme was in a boat the year before which ended in the middle of the worst storm in 30 years in the Irish sea. The same boat we were rowing capsized and had to be rescued by the Coast Guard.
This year we studied the weather and tides making the decisions to row at the right time and the crossing to Scotland passed without incident. Seeing the Scottish coastline was amazing, we passed the top of Jura which is famous for its whirlpools and one of the most dangerous areas of water on earth. The water was swirling around us as we rowed across with the tide hitting our fasted speed of 8.2knots.
We passed Tobermory waving to lots of other boats, kayakers and people on the ferry. With the wind still on our side we carried to the Isle of Skye. We were heading north but the wind was heading
As we rowed under the bridge with the cheers of friends and family ringing in our ears
it was a special moment which will never be eclipsed.
west which meant we were being hit by fairly large waves from the side, a bit like a roller-coaster. Soaked to the skin but laughing all the way, we were soon being pushed by the wind up the side of Skye. We had seals following us and a minke whale swam past the boat a few times and then we were lucky enough to see an otter eating its morning fish.
Going under the Skye bridge was quite special with well wishers waving to us. This is where we started to see Puffin birds which are so very cute, but not the most elegant birds at take off and landings. Once we reached the top of Scotland it was a quick passage towards John ‘O Groats and the Pentland Firth.
At this point we were on track to get back to London in 35 days which would have taken 16 days off the world record, but the wind had other ideas. The whole way down the east coast of both Scotland and England we were rowing into a headwind. It was such a test of both mental and physical strength.
We had other visitors to keep out spirits up, one of the team (Clare) works with Border Force so we had visit from some of their boats. Emma, who was Ex RAF had pilot friends, and we had a few fly overs from fast jets and the new A400M transport aircraft who used our boat as a marker for some exercises. Another teammate (Amy) who has lost her father recently, had a few visitors pass by including her dad’s friends in private helicopters.
Bit by bit we made it back towards London and the finishing line of Tower Bridge. With everyone smiling we got to the finish line in 44 days which was still a full seven days quicker than the word record.
As we rowed under the bridge with the cheers of friends and family ringing in our ears it was a special moment which will never be eclipsed. Once on land it was a whirl of Radio, TV and newspaper interviews including an invitation to appear on the Lorraine Kelly show, and yes, she really is as nice as she seems on the telly.
Just a few days later I was back to work going through the emails which have been stacking up, with the memories of an amazing experienced which stretched my comfort zone which I would recommend to everyone at some point in their life.
The Gazette QARANC Association 63