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Six of us, Admiral PNB Beringer, Bosun C Ballinger RN, Navigator Peter Gaisford, Midshipman Pete Postle, Purser S Bentley and Cabin Boy S Branfield will be setting off from Cornwall and heading to Scotland, surfboat in tow on 16th April. We intend to launch the boat at Fort William, take the Caledonian Canal and then enter the deep and dangerous waters of Loch Ness. We will row the entire length of Loch Ness all the way to Inverness, a total distance of 65 miles. This journey has never been attempted before and we are hoping to be sped on our way by riding Nessie's bowwave.

Despite it being mid April in the Highlands we will complete the distance wearing nothing but our Speedos.

Cabin Boy will double as safety officer and stay snug in the cabin, by which I mean van (no speedos).

 

Back at the beginning of December just prior to Nick Beringer's hip operation. Cris Ballinger and myself set him a personal goal.

 

To get fit enough to Sweep a Surfboat along the Caledonian Canal from Fort William to Inverness.

The date set for this epic 65 mile row is the 19th - 22 April as we anticipate it taking 4 days (exc the driving).

 

The crew is : Beringer, Ballinger, Postle, Scott and myself which in age adds up to approx 292 yrs.

 

Nick "The Admiral" Beringer started Sweeping surfboats just after the dinosaurs died out. Former lifeguard and Perranporth SLSC President also former President of The United Kingdom Surf Rowers League UKSRL

Graphic artist responsible for such notable designs including the voluptous Skinners Brewery - Betty Stoggs (see attached).

 

Cris "Leader of Men" Ballinger RN, the author Ian Fleming used C Ballinger as his role model for 007 James Bond. The deeds and exploits of C Ballinger are quietly spoken of in the oak lined rooms of the MOD, anything to do with explosives and he is your man. His cunning plan is to flush Nessy out of hiding with a carefully lobbed stick of TNT.

 

Peter "midshipman" Postle is a game fellow and happy to keep the surfboat and crew provisioned. When not out scouting for freebies, he builds executive homes which are well finished and tastefully decorated.

Which always surprises the rest of us !

 

Peter "The navigator" Gaisford guaranteed to get the crew lost. One challenge he was set was to negotiate The Connor Pass" in W Ireland towing a Surfboat. The Irish said "you cannot take a surfboat over the Connor Pass". Like a red rag to a bull. Several vehicles and their occupants were lost off the pass as the surfboat passed by.

 

Scott "The Purser" Bentley, newly promoted over and above S Branfield. Scott is the youngest and has yet to gain any respect from the rest of crew as this will be his first surfboat adventure. He has been tasked to source beads and horse hair and other trinkets in order to barter with the natives. As is by tradition, the youngest will be despatched to make first initial contact.

 

Stephen "cabin boy" Branfield, novice to Mission Nessy and is to play the role of "gopher" until judgement has been made at Inverness. He will need to be on high alert should he take a wrong turn at any time with the ShelterBox minibus.

crew motto......... "we laugh in the face of budgie smugglers”

 

Any sponsorship would be gratefully received. Every single penny will go straight to our wonderful local charity ShelterBox. www.shelterbox.org

 

 

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