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A strong headwind and
choppy waters were not quite what
six canoeists hoped for when they
left Northney Marina on their round
the island trip to raise money for
the RNLI. Mike Smith, Manager of Northney Marina
and Steve Masters,
who
works in marketing for BT Global
Services,
organized the event
and persuaded two other employees of MDL Marinas, Phil Armstrong and Paul
Lewis, who is also a Senior Helm at
Hayling Island Lifeboat Station,
John Barber,
from HM Coastguard and Steve's
13 year old daughter, Daniella
Masters, to join them.
On Saturday 6th
September at 11am the group left
Northney Marina and paddling
anti-clockwise around the island
against a strong tide and
a
strong wind
it took 3 hours to reach the
entrance to Langstone Harbour.
Faced with gale conditions and a
rough sea in Hayling Bay, the safe
decision was made not to paddle
along the sea front but to take the
kayaks in
their
support Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)
and two of the canoeists, whilst the
others went by road, to the entrance
of Chichester Harbour. Before they
continued their six mile paddle
north in Chichester Harbour they
received refreshments and hot
showers at the lifeboat station.
They completed their challenging
trip at 6pm.
Mike Smith said,
"
Steve and I decided to do the
event because we both enjoy Kayaking
and thought it would be fun to
paddle around the island. We both
have strong ties with the boating
community and felt we should do the
event for our local Lifeboat
Station."
Their brave efforts,
in adverse weather conditions,
raised
around £1,500
for the Hayling Island
Lifeboat Station. The cheque was
presented at a BBQ held at Northney
Marina where one of the canoeists,
Steve Masters, even had enough
energy, along with a friend, to
provide live music. |
