Graham's Isle of Wight Row

Todays row towards the Needles Two good rowing days for training. Calm seas and not too hot or cold. Yesterday I did 9 miles along the coast to just past Barton on Sea and back. This morning I decided to do something a bit more interesting so headed out towards the Needles.    Click 'READ MORE' to see more info . I got to about two miles from the Needles then turned round back to Mudeford. At that point I had a good view of the Needles but most of the land behind me was lost in the mist with only the low outline of Hengistbury Head and the B arton on Sea cliffs to be seen. I stopped about 2 miles from the Needles to take a photo of the Needles and have a couple of minutes rest before turning back home. Then I heard an extremely loud double bang followed by a huge blast of water into the air, then another double bang which must have been an echo from the high cliffs behind the Needles. I came across the explanation this evening:    https://www.bbc...

Capsize practice - getting back in the boat Training for the Row   Click 'READ MORE' to see more info.    Before owning this Yole I had never rowed a scull with a sliding seat and oars that have to be feathered (blades leveled on the backstroke).  My rowing technique was mainly learned from Youtube and would probably be criticised by a rowing club coach. However it seems to work for me so since   last November I have been training by rowing up, down and around Christchurch Harbour for 1-2 hours or more, usually covering 4 to 7 miles and up to just over 10 miles.  In the last few weeks I have also been able to get rowing out to sea on about six occasions.   The biggest problem is getting out and back into the Harbour through 'The Run', the narrow channel past Mudeford Quay and extending about a quarter of a mile out to sea.   The entire contents of Christchurch Harbour, plus flow from two rivers, are emptied out to sea and then refil...

Why have I decided to (try to) row around the Isle of Wight? Please click 'READ MORE' to see the full post including Charity details - thank you. After completing the challenge of cycling solo and unsupported from Lands End to John O'Groats a couple of years ago, I am now proposing to take on another challenge of rowing around the Isle  of Wight. I am also raising funds for the charity Children On The Edge : https://www.childrenontheedge.org The row is planned to take place some time between the middle of May up early July 2019, starting when a settled spell of fine weather and calm seas appears.  Starting from and finishing in Mudeford, the total distance is about 75-80 miles.  My plan is to row 12-15 miles each day, so it should take me about six days to complete, although this will be subject to tidal flows each day. I have chosen the charity 'Children On The Edge' to benefit from sponsorship of my rowing challenge and have set up a char...