Things are looking up...

Training updates...

Thursday 5th April 2018 - Quite a good session this morning 2 hours in total, the rower then heavy weights! Received a sponsorship enquiry last night, sent info so hopefully something will come of it. It is a lovely day outdoors so I have been making the most of it, I love all kinds of weather plus it makes people smile more than usual!!

Readout from today's training.

Friday 6th April 2018 - Today's session was a good one, seemed to breeze through on the rowing machine before taking on heavy weights. Not sure if the heart rate monitor was reading correctly as it was reading below 140 most of the session on the rower? Mixed emotions as we go into the weekend, wondering if I’m going to find a sponsor and more importantly the boat (which I really would like to name after “Marjorie Anne” as a tribute to her as an inspirational person and the fights she had against breast cancer). Perhaps there’s someone out there that will come to our aid, who knows?

Readouts from today's training.

Monday 9th april 2018 - I paid a visit to Boatability today with Bron Carter... Nick Kincart was very Helpful with safety advice, it means I won’t need a safety boat for training which is good as the general cost per day is around £165 so that’s well outside any budget! I need a semi-auto life jacket, a strobe flare, a SOS signal beacon (tiny things they are). I also need a VHF radio as well and I am going on a one day course for free but have to pay £60 for the licence (RYA costs) the course is usually £100. 

Things are looking up and this is my training for today.

Wednesday 11th April 2018 - Today was one that started with an email from Langstone Adventure Rowers, which I have now read! Mike Gilbert of Langstone Rowers has, in principle offered me a FISA Stable Scull by the name of ‘Epona’ but he insists I have to have capsize and recovery training before I undertake the challenge. 

The Langstone Adventure Rowers will probably give me the training I need and maybe they’ll do the support boat for the challenge, a lot to take in at this stage but the training is essential. 

Friday 13th April - I went to Guildford RC this afternoon but I couldn’t get on the water because the River Wey was flooded and river running too fast for a novice, the authorities had Red Boarded the river anyway. I got a little bit of a go on the tower and tried a fixed seat rather than a moving one, felt comfortable so I assume it’ll be a fixed seat I’ll use for the challenge but I’m sure Mike Gilbert will determine that.

Monday 16th April 2018 - Here is my session for today, rowing machine for 40 minutes plus core work for 45minutes, this after 6 days off due to meetings and other events. It is a good session and the first after meeting Guildford RC and Mike Gilbert of Langstone Rowers. Hopefully Mike will be taking a chance on me and allowing me to use Epona for the challenge. Readout from today's training. 

I now have to find a Sponsorship of training and the event £5,000 approx, this is not a definite figure, we hope it will be less. If you can help then please get in touch.

https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeTheChannel/

https://challengethechannel.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/challengethechannel/

My Very Best Wishes.

Paul  

Paul A Smith OBE

Charity Fundraiser for sick Children, Teenagers and breast cancer sufferers. 

Tel: 02392 383515

M: 07796595432

Fundraising & Sponsorship Update

Good Evening Friends

We thought you may like to know that there have been developments since our last update a week ago, some good news and some mixed.

It’s been a busy week chasing sponsors and after my latest meeting today I have a more realistic idea of the costs involved, this is the mixed news so I will start here and move on to the positive news, always a good place to end!

Costs:

After a meeting with Mike Gilbert of Langstone Adventure Rowers, I have learned that costs of this challenge are likely to be in the region of £5,000 at this stage so for obvious reasons I am now in search of a generous sponsor(s) to help us achieve this final physical challenge and hope that there are some very kind people/businesses out there who are able to support the challenge that will be in September. I think I will be up in the middle of the night thinking about this!

News Update:

Since our last email update we have had meetings with a number of people and I have received some good advice along the way. Monday 9th April I went along to Port Solent with good friend Bron Carter, who introduced me to a very nice guy who was extremely helpful and gave me some very good safety advice and a list of safety equipment that I should wear/carry with me (The person concerned does not wish to be named but will support me where he can). I went immediately upstairs to the Marine Super Store and handed them my wish list with a request for sponsorship, we await their response on this.

On Wednesday 11th April I paid a visit to the Guildford Rowing Club (RC) who had invited me up to have a try out in a FISA Scull on the river Wey, however the river level was too high and running too fast to allow me out and the authorities had Red Boarded that stretch of water so my outing on the water was postponed. The club did however put me on the rowing machine and gave me some invaluable advice on using the monitor readout so I now know how to create the drag factor on a rowing machine. 

Wednesday 11th April 2018 - Today was one that started with an email from Langstone Adventure Rowers, which I have now read! Mike Gilbert of Langstone Rowers has, in principle offered me a FISA Stable Scull by the name of ‘Epona’ but he insists I have to have capsize and recovery training before I undertake the challenge. 

The Langstone Adventure Rowers will probably give me the training I need and maybe they’ll do the support boat for the challenge, a lot to take in at this stage but the training is essential. 

Thursday 12th April I met with the ladies of Portsmouth Breast Friends and Breast Cancer Haven and of course Rod and Helen Walker (husband and daughter of Marjorie Anne) with updates and discussions on the way forward and to reveal some positive news about the the boat, we all look forward to meeting with the Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation sometime soon.

Fundraising page:

We have not yet setup a fundraising page, once we do we will let you all know.

Positive News:

We are pleased to inform everyone that we have now have a boat called ‘Epona’ which is tried and tested to cross the channel and which is available to use. Epona is based in Langstone, Hayling Island and is with Langstone Adventure Rowers (LAR). Mike Gilbert who operates LAR and I had a meeting on Friday 13th April to discuss training etc, looks like I am going to get very wet as I have to go through capsize and recovery training before I undertake the challenge. It means I have to throw myself in the water and get back into the boat after every session of rowing until capsize and recovery becomes second nature, when I asked if the boat itself will actually capsize Mike replied “Oh Yes”, there was a reason for asking this and it is because the way in which the boat is constructed it doesn’t seem possible that it would capsize if the water wasn’t too choppy. I will not hide my disappointed that I haven’t been able to obtain a boat without a name so we could name her ‘Marjorie Anne’, perhaps something else will come up. Mike informs me that we can rename her temporarily but until I have been in her and rowed her we cannot get too far ahead of ourselves. This is going to be a huge task there's no doubt about it, I am starting from scratch and not on a river and I have my own difficulties to deal with so I have no illusions that training will be tough and at the tender age of 59 it will probably a lot harder when out in the solent before progressing to channel training. I will probably have to go out 2-3 times per week to bond with her and throw myself overboard, seems a familiar story to skydiving. 

Sponsors to date:

Sponsorship of training and the event £5,000 approx, this is not a definite figure, we hope it will be less.

Clothing/footwear - Alexandra Sports.

Safety Equipment - Being considered.

Poster design and printing - Sponsor?

T shirts - Sponsor?

Insurance will be covered by Langstone Adventure Rowing for training. 

Please help if you can, Many Thanks.

Social Media Sites:

https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeTheChannel/

https://challengethechannel.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/challengethechannel/

My Very Best Wishes.

Paul  

Paul A Smith OBE

Charity Fundraiser for sick Children, Teenagers and breast cancer sufferers. 

Tel: 02392 383515

M: 07796595432

Challenge The Channel Update

Dear Friends

We thought you might like this update.

Since considering this challenge back (Challenge the Channel)  in September 2017, I made a definite decision in March 2018 to go ahead with it and more time on the rowing machine began as of the 12th March.

Since the launch of the fb/instagram and blog things have moved forward slowly but we remain positive nonetheless. Hanna Bilbrough (soon to be Hanna Smith) has been wonderful in her efforts to update the sites whilst in the middle of organising her wedding, some several weeks away huge thank you Hanna.

As mentioned in the first update we have contacted Dover Marine Services (DMS) for support and guidance and awaiting a reply, Southsea RC have been supporting, the challenge with Peter Clarke (Captain) keeping an eye on my training sessions, Peter is also getting married this year but is happy to help me where possible. 

Tony Burrows of Dover RC has rowed the channel several times and has informed me that the boat I need to train in and use for the crossing is a FISA Stable Scull without stabilisers because they will cause drag and make the crossing difficult. 

Paul Woowat of Guildford RC has invited me up to Guildford on the 11th April to try out a FISA, we will keep you informed on how this goes, time on the water is very important.

I have also been put in touch with Alan Priddy of Team Britannia, read all about them at http://www.teambritannia.co.uk 

It is estimated that my challenge will need around £2,000 of sponsorship for the services of support of a main vessel and a safety boat for the crossing and a further £1,500 for support during training on the water, so we are praying for a sponsor or sponsors to come forward to help make this challenge possible. 

Of course the FISA Stable Scull is very important and if we can get hold of one without a name so we can name it “Marjorie Anne” after a friend who was so inspirational to me over the past 5-6 years. 

Sponsorship support.

To date, I have received an email from Dawn Taylor of Alexandra Sports https://www.alexandrasports.com , offering support for clothing to help me with training and the challenge, I have been advised by Peter Clarke of Southsea RC that I will need several thin layers and lightweight waterproof jackets and bottoms. Many thanks to Dawn for coming forward offering this sponsorship. 

I have had an enquiry of support from Elaine and Keith Scrivens of Southgate and Finchley Coaches http://www.southgate-finchley-coaches.co.uk based in Frieren Barnet, North London, thank you guys.

I have received the logos from Portsmouth Breast friends and Breast Cancer Haven, I am awaiting a logo from The Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation the 2 charities that will benefit from this challenge. 

Training is going well, the rowing machine I use in the Mountbatten Centre gym, Portsmouth is getting good use from me alone, if I am correct my total training hours have exceeded 40 hours already including strength training etc. The staff at MBC have been great, thank you all.

I am very keen to get hold of the boat and get out on the water, so if you know of any rowing club or a company that maybe able to loan me a boat to train in please get in touch.

For those new to these challenge updates here is a little history about me:

My name is Paul Smith, I have been fundraising for the past 12 years after emerging from 12 years in Lock-in Syndrome but my fundraising actually began when I was 7 years old after watching a news programme on Biafra in west Africa (not recognised by Nigeria), I saw little children with pot bellies running through the streets crying, at that age I mistakingly thought that they had pot bellies due to eating however mum and dad told me that this wasn’t the case. I learned that the pot bellies were the result of these children starving, so my first fundraiser was for these children and I raised in the region of £200-£300. 

Since then.

I served in the Royal Navy for 18 years before leaving after a RTA in 1991 which left me with a head injury and several physical injuries, one thing that the accident hasn't taken away is my determination to help make a small difference to children and teenagers and breast cancer sufferers lives. After emerging from 12 years in Lock-in Syndrome I decided to take up my fundraising again, most if not all of my family thought I would be sat on a street corner shaking a tin, WRONG! 

I have been very fortunate to have the fantastic support of my family and friends and a great support crew who have been by my side since challenge number 2, lead by my Road Manager (or Road Rage Manager, as we nicknamed him), Shaun Johnstone the crew have supported me pushing myself in my wheelchair from Portsmouth to London, Portland in Dorset to London via Portsmouth, Plymouth in Devon to London via Portsmouth, and up the rock of Gibraltar to name just a few challenges. I have also skydived and abseiled however for both of these events my crew politely declined to accompany me, I wonder why? Total of challenges to date are 13 and this WILL be my last physical challenge to celebrate my 60th birthday.

https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeTheChannel/

https://challengethechannel.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/challengethechannel/

I hope this is something you can help me with, I can be contacted on the info below and via this email. Many Thanks. 

My Very Best Wishes.

Paul  

Paul A Smith OBE

Charity Fundraiser for sick Children, Teenagers and breast cancer sufferers. 

Tel: 02392 383515

M: 07796595432

Training Update....The Journey So Far

On Wednesday 21st March 2018 it was a very busy day with emails being sent to Dover Rowing Club (RC) and Ahoy and Ben Ainslie's Racing (BAR), I also emailed Southampton Water Activity Centre to see if any could either loan me a FISA rowing boat and offer advice on crossing the channel. 

Ahoy have given me advice on who to contact on crossing the channel, they have recommended we hire a safety boat from Dover Marine Sevices as a pilotage Company who they say offer a great service. They also manage communication to the the relevant authorities and say we will be in safe hands.

I also met with Jean Spry and Janet Sampson of “Portsmouth Breast Friends” to inform them that I wish to take up the “Challenge the Channel” on behalf of the Breast Friends (in memory of Marjorie Anne, a good friend who passed away last year with cancer and co-founded the charity) and The Oakley Waterman Caravan Foundation. 

I now need to approach Rod and Helen (Marjorie Anne's husband and daughter) to ask for their blessing for me to do the challenge and what’s more to name the boat after Marjorie Anne in honour of a good wife, mother and friend. I will arrange a meeting with them both for next week. I’m pleased the way things have gone today but I still need the boat and a safety crew/boat for me to go out on the water to train!

Training updates so far:

22nd March has been another productive day, I will be meeting with Marjorie Anne's  husband Rod and daughter Helen tomorrow afternoon to inform them of my intentions to include Marjorie Anne's charity in the fundraiser and call the boat Marjorie Anne.

I have heard from Guildford RC and they’ve offered to let me have a trial in their FISA boat, this means I’ve got to get some kind person to give me a lift to Guildford on a Wednesday evening. Tomorrow Friday 23rd I’ll pick possible dates to take on the challenge.

Today’s training session, almost 200m down on Tuesday’s session....pictures from readout and rowing machine.

23rd March Today’s training readouts, some small insignificant blisters developing throughout the past week due to training.

26th March training readout pictures:

On the 28th March it was a late session, after a sports massage then off to the gym on the rower, however I forgot to wear my heart rate monitor so couldn’t record that data on this occasion. 

A meeting with Marjorie Anne’s Friends immediately after the session to inform them of my announcement was welcomed with open arms so I now need to find a boat and sponsors for the costs, possibly the hardest part of this challenge? Launched this blog and all social media today so now the world knows....no turning back now!

Thanks for reading... don't forget you can checkout Facebook & Instagram for regular updates.