One man, one boat, one epic challenge.
It’s not often that I get to share exciting firsts, but Thursday 31st May really was one of those. I sat in a boat on the watching a courageous, young individual sail off into the distance on a catamaran. Chris Brooks was on the first leg of a solo attempt to break the world record: circumnavigating around Britain, in an 18-foot catamaran (just three times his height) in less than 28 days, for the NSPCC’s ChildLine service. Seeing Chris disappear into the distance made the enormity of his challenge come to life.
We’re now into week two. Our intrepid sailor, Chris Brooks, has had an interesting week to say the least, with a damaged hull (not as a result of basking sharks off Cornwall I hasten to add) and earlier, the impact of tropical storms in Cornwall. Who’d have thought it in June, in the UK?
I do envy him somewhat though, as he’s holed up in Rock. One of best places in the UK, with certainly the best fish & chips in the country (not to mention VAT free Pasties).
I’ve been following Chris this week on the tracker it’s fascinating to see how much sea can be covered though it’s a little misleading as it gives the impression of clear skies. Sadly not the experience.
The fund raising programme stands at over £10,000 already for the NSPCC which is something special. You can chip in if you want: www.sailingroundbritain.com or his charity site is www.justgiving.com/sailingroundbritain.
Chris Brooks on the Solent
I still think Chris is daft? Crazy? Insane? But it’s great to follow his exploits. It’s not been an easy first week. Let’s hope the weather is kinder in the coming days. Wales beckons.