Graham's Isle of Wight Row

Start on Tuesday!   The current four–week weather forecast indicates that the weather through July will probably be similar to June. Since I have been ready to go since mid-May, I have now decided to stop waiting for one full week of calm weather. The current daily forecast shows Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday next week (2/3/4 July) as having reasonably light winds in the mornings, so I’m proposing to START EARLY ON TUESDAY MORNING, 2nd July. If the winds stay light for these three days , I should get to the far side of the Island. If necessary I will then wait on the Island for a few days for better weather so that I can carry on and complete the challenge. I will post more info before leaving and will also post daily updates of my progress. Distance marks every 5 miles. Click on map to enlarge The map shows my planned route round the Island from from Mudeford, stopping at Yarmouth, Wooton (Fishbourne), Sandown or Shanklin, Reeth Bay at St Catheri...

Safety Please click "READ MORE" to see the entire post. I have really enjoyed going out to sea training at least a dozen times recently and, although it slows me down, I can cope with rowing in small waves. However if the waves are a bit higher rowing becomes difficult, especially when they are coming on my side. Bigger waves and the wash from passing power boats (also big ships and high-speed ferries in the Solent) can also be a problem unless I turn to take them head on.  Several people have asked whether I’m going wit h a safety boat, but I don’t think this is necessary. It would be stressful for me and I doubt whether I could find a safety boat and skipper prepared to go at short notice. A phone app ‘RYA SafeTRX’ enables me to report my trip plan to the Coastguard each day before leaving (I’m already doing this on my longer sea training trips). It sends my location to them every 10 minutes and I can also call for help with it. I also have a Personal Locato...

I am raising funds for the charity  Children On The Edge : https://www.childrenontheedge.org Please click " READ MORE " to see the entire post. I have chosen the charity 'Children On The Edge' to benefit from sponsorship of my rowing challenge and have set up a charity fundraising page to enable online donations/ sponsorship: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Graham.Myers Children On The Edge are a small but very efficient charity based in Chichester, who provide critical help for children overseas who are 'living on the edge' and are often overlooked by other agencies. Typically, they will provide shelter, support and schooling for children who, through conflict, ethnic cleansing or persecution, may have lost their parents, family members, homes and familiar surroundings and could be alone and frightened. Since I will be covering all the costs of my rowing challenge, every donation will benefit the charity in full. If you prefer to don...

It's getting frustrating waiting for a week of calm, almost wind free weather to enable me to get round the IOW without the risk of getting into rough waters. The present long-range forecast gives the possibility of this in late June/early July so I hope this happens.        >>>            Video -   Leaving Mudeford, early morning        <<<< Select 'settings' (gear cog) to 1080p for best quality.   Click 'READ MORE' to see more info. In the last couple of weeks I have been able to get out to sea quite a few times which has been great. The video shows me leaving Mudeford early one morning, rowing through the Run and cutting across a shallow area straight out to sea.