The initial idea for the GB RIB Challenge came from Dr George Simpson. The challenge is to race around the UK in a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) during Cowes week. The crew of 4 Ocean Rowers was going to set out on the first day of Cowes week (4th August) and aim to arrive back before the fireworks on the last day (11th August). However, as the boat is stored 20 miles from Torquay it seems a bit silly to drive it to Cowes just to start only to drive it back at the end of the challenge, so we’re going from and to Torquay instead.
The RIB is a 6.5m open top boat. Comfort is non-existant and the crew will constantly be fighting against injury as the boat crashes through the waves.
We will travel round the UK, a journey of about 1800 miles in under 6 days. The crew will remain onboard for that period stopping only for re-fuelling and a light cat nap. Sleep deprivation will be extreme and so the team will work in driving pairs with one navigator and one driver on each watch. When not active the resting pair will try to sleep as much as possible in the harsh conditions.
I live in Plymouth if we can be of help to . We have a 6 mt rib with a 90 hp engine. Dave
By: Dave Morrish on May 27, 2007
at 10:10 am
That’s really weird. My dad’s called Dave Morrish. He lives in Sidmouth, though.
Pete.
By: The Astonishing Pete on May 29, 2007
at 5:07 pm
Oh my word! Not sure I envy you this challenge – sounds like torture to me – sleep deprevation sitting in a constantly moving inflatable boat for so many miles – wouldn’t it be nice if Cowes Week turns out to be warm and extremely calm so that you can just float effortlessly around the British Isles, returning with smiles on your faces, all nice and relaxed and bronzed by the sun…..
Best wishes to you all. Kind regards – Sue from Cornwall xx
By: Sue from Cornwall on June 14, 2007
at 9:59 pm
okay, scrap that, I see it was George’s idea.
By: Polly on July 26, 2007
at 3:23 pm
Hello you MAD people!!!!
Best wishes for a safe journey – in my message on the home page I said something like “safe journey back to Cowes” when of course, I read now that you are leaving and returning from/to Torquay! Hope you weren’t mobbed by holiday-makers wanting a lift or your autographs! Watch-out for the SHARKS, Chris! There might be one out there that you have met before….
Love Sue from Cornwall XXX
By: Sue from Cornwall on August 4, 2007
at 6:27 pm
Just had a thought….. bet Chris wishes Lucky The Lamb had gone with them…. but then there is probably no room for little lambs on board!
from Sue from Cornwall
By: Sue from Cornwall on August 4, 2007
at 9:25 pm