The Cumbrian Coast Canoe Challenge

Our aim is to complete a journey from Port Carlisle (The furthest extremity of Cumbria) down the entire Cumbrian Coast, across Morecambe Bay and onto the entrance to the River Wyre at Fleetwood, Lancashire in 2 x 18 foot Canadian ‘Open boat’ canoes. The total distance of the journey is approximately 100 miles and we believe that this challenge has never been attempted before in the type of boats we will be travelling in.

We are travelling in canoes because we want to travel as environmentally friendly and as naturally as we can, We believe that this also helps us to express our interest in conservation of the natural environment.

The challenges that this adventure holds are significant but we are confident and feel strongly that its rewards will make it a very worthwhile ‘project’ indeed. As a team we feel that in view of such a challenge then we ought to use it as a vehicle to raise as much awareness and sponsorship as we can and would like to nominate the BRPS as our chosen charity.

The boats are being provided and sponsored by Keswick Canoe Company. Company owner and crew member Paul Weller organises and runs guided trips and canoe wilderness experiences in the Lakes, Scotland and throughout Northern Europe. Its fair to say that Paul is a bit like Ray Mears and as well as designing and building canoes he has an impressive number of successful expeditions both in Canoeing and Mountaineering under his belt.

I, myself, Greg Wilson came up with the idea for the challenge and will be coordinating the project by drawing on some of my skills as a professional events organiser. I am a keen open boat canoeist and wilderness camping enthusiast in my spare time. Our third crew member Tim Whitehead is an outdoor activities/ watersports instructor in the Lake District. Tim holds a Yacht master certificate and has been involved with boats and sailing from just 3 months old – he is the original waterbaby!. Together, Tim and Paul are working on the design and build of the boats, rigging, sails, navigation equipment and logistics.

Jonathan Ripley, 22 and from Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire whose interests are studying and performing music, playing, guitar, bass, drums as well as song writing and studio production. As well as being a member of the BRPS, Jonathan will be liaising with the charity throughout the course of this project. Jonathan hopes that being a part of this expedition will help others like him and that the challenge will help to raise significant awareness and sponsorship for the charity.

 

We intend to sail the boats as much as we can during the expedition. In this scenario the canoes will be rigged in a Catamaran formation, however if the conditions are not good for sailing then we will paddle the boats and travel independently with 2 men per boat. We will also be carrying all other equipment and supplies that we will need for the duration of the journey.

We expect that we may need to be as far as 1-2 miles offshore on average with a view to completing the 100 mile journey over the course of 5 days depending on weather conditions and tide times. Crossing Morecambe Bay certainly holds the most anticipated dangers of the whole trip in which we will cross 12 miles of open water/ 6 miles out from shore. Along the way we will be stopping off and camping overnight at pre-arranged beaches and places of interest down the Cumbrian Coast. We will not be employing the services of a safety boat as we feel confident enough in our combined experience and ‘know how’, however we will have a shore support vehicle for the entire journey as well ensuring that we carry the appropriate safety devices such as VHF radio, flares as well as informing the coast guard etc.

Well thats all for now! Our training is coming along very well and we would like to thank everyone concerned for supporting us in our quest!

 

Thanks

The Crew

 

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