A GROUP OF WINDSURFERS FROM THE ARMY, NAVY AND ROYAL AIR FORCE PLAN TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE 60 NAUTICAL MILES AROUND THE ISLE OF WIGHT IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.

What inspired Jon to plan this event was hearing about a young Rifleman called Craig Wood.

Craig was severely wounded in Afghanistan on his last tour and as a result his life and his family’s lives have changed forever.  He was a keen and passionate windsurfer and one day hopes to be able to get back on a board and windsurf again.

See link:  http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/565694/BOY-SOLDIER-CRAIG-WOOD-BLOWN-UP-IN-A-MANS-WAR-REVEALS-HIS-DREAMS.html

By undertaking this challenge we hope to make a difference and do our bit, supporting people like Craig and other injured Servicemen and Women from our Armed Forces.

This is both a physically and mentally demanding challenge, and will take a huge amount of training, skill and dedication to successfully complete the circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight.

The challenge will start off Calshot Spit in the Solent, we will navigate our way through the busy Western Solent towards the Needles, once safely round we will sail a downwind course through the rough and unpredictable waters of the South side of the .

Approaching St Catherine’s Point lighthouse, (the most Southern tip of the island) is one of the most hazardous points of the circumnavigation we will have to face as the waters here can get seriously rough with strong tides.

Once round the Southern tip of the island we head along the East coast towards Lucombe ledge, across to Culver point which marks the entry back into the . Again this point can be treacherous to say the least as we will need to sail an upwind course navigating the main commercial shipping channels which run into water before safely crossing the finish line off Calshot Spit again.

A quote from Maj Allan Cross (Forces Open Windsurfing Champion) “This is an excellent challenge for our Forces Windsurfing Community.  As you know, we in the forces like a good challenge and couldn’t think of a more befitting way to help our windsurfing colleague Craig and his fellow injured colleagues’ serving their country in this Help for Heroes Charity Event”