Paddling for Pudsey
Steve Williams' expedition to kayak around the coastline of Britain and Ireland started on the 2nd of April 2006 and will raise money for Children In Need.Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Injuries can be a real downer particularly right at the start of a major trip, one thing however that always helps is finding a person who knows all about it and can get you back on track a.s.a.p. With a bit of detective work Steve has tracked down Ivan Lawler ( Ivan has represented Great Britian at 3 Olympic Games, and won 6 World Championships in Marathon kayaking) now he is a man who knows (physio and more) and is helping Steve deal with the tenosynivitus in his forearm (the one I couldn't spell last time!).
Things seem to be improving and a realistic restart at Cromer has been set for 5 May. Its the only way to try and ensure that this problem is nipped in the bud.
In the meantime Steve is training on the paddling machine, balance ball, and circuit training not to mention pilates, in a real attempt to get his stabilising muscles are up to scratch.
Personal Note - Sorry for the delay folks but these little obsticles pale into significance when compared to somethings children in the UK have to put up with on a daily basis. Please, please spread the word and get friends and family to make donations, things are a bit slow - I have started and I will finish even if it takes until Christmas or beyond!
Things seem to be improving and a realistic restart at Cromer has been set for 5 May. Its the only way to try and ensure that this problem is nipped in the bud.
In the meantime Steve is training on the paddling machine, balance ball, and circuit training not to mention pilates, in a real attempt to get his stabilising muscles are up to scratch.
Personal Note - Sorry for the delay folks but these little obsticles pale into significance when compared to somethings children in the UK have to put up with on a daily basis. Please, please spread the word and get friends and family to make donations, things are a bit slow - I have started and I will finish even if it takes until Christmas or beyond!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
It's funny how things can change in a day, Steve's right forearm started to twinge a bit as a result of a hard 30 minutes paddling in to wind, that according to the coastguard was gusting force 8, to make the Blackney Point landing.
Steve and Trevor, both had a n interesting launch in to nbreaking seas the next day with a bit of backward surfing ( not nice in a fully laiden boat!).
The 15 miles to Cromer were covered in under 3 hours with some good sized swells coming through keeping the guys over a mile off shore. With the sea in this state Cromer was their only landing point and once again it was quite thought provoking - swells were dumping on a steepish beach and both paddlers got a little damp.
Steve's forearm was now visibly swollen and a visit to the local hospital confirmed worst fears of the dreaded tinny. At least a weeks rest required with strong anti-inflammatories ( He's never suffered this before).
Someone was not a happy bunny, with hand in a splint at this early stage - embaressed,yes - annoyed, yes - ego dented, yes, but still looking at the bigger picture. Steve is having a rest ( already) and will be starting again on BH Monday/Tuesday. At least it will give the weather a chance to settle, strong northerly winds are not good for the North Norfolk coast and are bitterly cold at this time of year. The local beaches are often steep with dumping surf and at times impossible to land or launch from without considerable risk to boat and paddler.
However little teething troubles are to be expected and finding ways around problems are all part of the deal.
Steve and Trevor, both had a n interesting launch in to nbreaking seas the next day with a bit of backward surfing ( not nice in a fully laiden boat!).
The 15 miles to Cromer were covered in under 3 hours with some good sized swells coming through keeping the guys over a mile off shore. With the sea in this state Cromer was their only landing point and once again it was quite thought provoking - swells were dumping on a steepish beach and both paddlers got a little damp.
Steve's forearm was now visibly swollen and a visit to the local hospital confirmed worst fears of the dreaded tinny. At least a weeks rest required with strong anti-inflammatories ( He's never suffered this before).
Someone was not a happy bunny, with hand in a splint at this early stage - embaressed,yes - annoyed, yes - ego dented, yes, but still looking at the bigger picture. Steve is having a rest ( already) and will be starting again on BH Monday/Tuesday. At least it will give the weather a chance to settle, strong northerly winds are not good for the North Norfolk coast and are bitterly cold at this time of year. The local beaches are often steep with dumping surf and at times impossible to land or launch from without considerable risk to boat and paddler.
However little teething troubles are to be expected and finding ways around problems are all part of the deal.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Collected the boat on the 29th, looks great – thanks to the Rockpool team – Aled and Mike for all their effort. Just had a few bits to do – connecting the solar panel to the rear and a jubilee clip on the foot pump outlet; that was a pain. Set across to my Mum’s in Norfolk on Thurs ready for the launch. Had lots of my favourite puds to help with the carb. loading! And ran around getting all those last minute bits and pieces.
The night before (1st) checked out the tide and launch spot with Trevor Riches and other paddling friends and had a last supper of fish and chips – more carb. loading!. Winds were really high as was the tide. Quite a bit of slap-back occurring from the concrete sea-defence wall and slipway. Old Hunstanton RNLI slip was therefore chosen as a possible launch site for the morning if the weather continued. This site has a longer length of sandy beach and a slip way that enters into the sea rather than at right angles to it.
Launch day! 2nd April
At last! Weather looked good as I opened the curtains to sunshine and little wind. We (the paddlers and our families) left for Hunstanton Sailing Club (Thanks go to the Committee for it’s use) for bacon sandwiches and drinks whilst loading occurred. The tide at the slip was low and the wind didn’t appear to be giving as much wave action, so all that preparation for a different site was unfounded – better safe than sorry.
Many friends and family came to see me off, some travelling from as far as London. Some had a ‘Pudsey breakfast’ (raised an additional £30.00 for the charity). Key members were wearing Pudsey t-shirts especially designed for the venture by Matt at Samuels of Norwich. The Eastern Daily Press (EDP) photographer was on hand for photographs, taking several shots as I launched – only just enough time to kiss my Mum and Wife goodbye!
First Call Home – 14.30 2nd April
Having left at 09.30 we reached Blakeney point (25 miles) within 5 hours – good strong wind and tide to help us along – hope everyday is going to be as good as this!
Life IS good!
Steve
The night before (1st) checked out the tide and launch spot with Trevor Riches and other paddling friends and had a last supper of fish and chips – more carb. loading!. Winds were really high as was the tide. Quite a bit of slap-back occurring from the concrete sea-defence wall and slipway. Old Hunstanton RNLI slip was therefore chosen as a possible launch site for the morning if the weather continued. This site has a longer length of sandy beach and a slip way that enters into the sea rather than at right angles to it.
Launch day! 2nd April
At last! Weather looked good as I opened the curtains to sunshine and little wind. We (the paddlers and our families) left for Hunstanton Sailing Club (Thanks go to the Committee for it’s use) for bacon sandwiches and drinks whilst loading occurred. The tide at the slip was low and the wind didn’t appear to be giving as much wave action, so all that preparation for a different site was unfounded – better safe than sorry.
Many friends and family came to see me off, some travelling from as far as London. Some had a ‘Pudsey breakfast’ (raised an additional £30.00 for the charity). Key members were wearing Pudsey t-shirts especially designed for the venture by Matt at Samuels of Norwich. The Eastern Daily Press (EDP) photographer was on hand for photographs, taking several shots as I launched – only just enough time to kiss my Mum and Wife goodbye!
First Call Home – 14.30 2nd April
Having left at 09.30 we reached Blakeney point (25 miles) within 5 hours – good strong wind and tide to help us along – hope everyday is going to be as good as this!
Life IS good!
Steve
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