Posts Tagged ‘challenge’

Journey Continues (instalment 2!)

Monday, July 5th, 2010

We arrived at Santander and drove straight on to Tarifa, arriving at 3am. After a few hours sleep under the car cover we bought some ferry tickets from the back streets and stocked up on chorizo. Our search for fiberglass (which Jack had left back in England) was unsuccessful and after burying all the pork products in the bottom of our car we got on the ferry to Morocco.

We arrived in Ceuta, where Tom managed to get confused between coke and beer buying two cans of the latter for the driver and map reader. At the border we enlisted the help of a local Morroccan to get us through which was fortunate as Jack was feeling particularly special that day being unable to fill out a simple form.

We made light work of the drive to Essouira, camping in Moulay on the way through, hoping to catch some wind but ended up disappointed. We did however manage to get hold of some fiberglass from bouj windsurfing.  Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Carl Pilkington made excellent company on the drive down with banter flowing especially when Jack decided to have a mini lash session by himself in the backseat. The drive through the Atlas mountains was spectacular but the road surface made it slightly stressful for all.  A tagine in Agadir to refuel and then a unanimous vote to drive straight through the night meant we arrived in Dakhla early Sunday morning – surely a record breaking drive!

We’ve Arrived – Dakhla Part 1

With only a few hours of sleep between us we pitched the tent and got straight out on the water. Jack managed to cut his feet within the first few minutes. After a quick lunch it was a trip into town to watch England’s lame attempt to stay in the World cup. Jack and Ricky were so disgusted with England’s performance (especially Lampard’s) we ended up leaving before full time.

Jump for joyThe morning greeted us with perfect 3.7 weather. We set off for the speed spot. Tom and Ricky made it halfway and stopped for a little freestyle. Jack shot off upwind to have the speed spot to himself, deciding he was too good to sail with mere mortals. He thinks he’s all that, but he still can’t tack or gybe.

We set off on 3.7s again the next day. All of us were sailing really well. Ricky landed his first few spocks and Jack landed his first Flakka Diablo. Tom was also having a good session until he set off from the bank saying “I’m gonna try a flakka”. It looked nothing like a flakka more like a ponch. It now looks as though he may have broken his foot.

Jack and Ricky had a slightly underpowered session this morning and that brings us pretty much up to date. We are in town stocking up on supplies and having been to the hospital we have decided that Tom does not need an X-ray because his winging has let up a little.

Contributed by:  Tom, Jack & Ricky

Young instructors let loose!

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Hello,

And welcome to our blog! We are blogging about our summer windsurf trip to Dakhla, Western Sahara. We’ve been planning this trip for months, now we are ready to explode. We’ve spent the last few weeks rattling through our bank accounts on silly things like wedding marquees and stupid, rubbish things like Starboard Flares. Bray Lake have kitted us up to the max with shiny new gear, thanks to James and Simon. Jack has packed four items of clothing and forgot 25% of them, meaning a Uturn 2mins into the journey, thanks to a phone call from Jack’s Mummy.

We are currently on the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander and despite Frank Lampard’s best efforts to ruin our crossing, its been amusing. Tom’s stuff including this computer is covered in hippie vomit and he has not stopped winging since we left Berkshire.

We are looking forward to getting on the road. We are planning to make it to Tarifa by tonight and get across to Morocco tomorrow.

Thanks for reading, Keep it real!

Contributed by: Tom

What a drag for SUP Challenge

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Bray Lake Watersports and Starboard are sponsors for a stand up paddleboarding expedition with a difference! Five intrepid personnel from RAF Odiham are intending to SUP the 93.5 mile length of the Trent and Mersey Canal dressed as ladies in order to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.

The aim is complete the challenge in a week. Exercise ‘Hello Sailor’ from Runcorn to the National Memorial Arboretum is scheduled to start 17th June 2010.

Follow their adventure on their blog at http://oohhellosailor.blogspot.com. Please support this worthwhile cause, make your donation on the Just Giving website at www.justgiving.com/oohhellosailor . Thank you for your support.