How The Parasail
Challenge Began ...
The Idea
After
the success of previous
Jetski events, I had to abandon any future fundraising due
to ill health. I still wanted to undertake something with the
same spirit of adventure and eventually I came up with the idea
of parasailing. The idea of crossing the Irish Sea appealed to
me as it had never been done before, and of course I have previously
made the crossing by Jetski!
So I set about researching Parasailing and drumming up support
and sponsorship!
April 2005
On Tuesday 29th March 2005,
myself and work colleague Bob Murray travelled to Brixham in Devon
to rendezvous with Ian Smaller and his colleague Roger Yersin.
The nature of this visit was to conduct a short flight on the
parasail in order for us to secure video footage to be used in
an interview with Paul Crone from Granada Reports along with still
photographs for the local press.
We arrived in Brixham in
the early hours of Wednesday morning and settled ourselves into
the rear of my estate vehicle, where I had provided for our comfort
an inflatable double mattress. Needless to say, sleep was sporadic
as our senses were aware that rolling to the middle could have
proved both awkward and embarrassing.
| We awoke to a bright
and sunny morning which had been predicted by the Brixham
coast guard who I had contacted before leaving the day before.
However, the wind predictions did not seem to tally with
what was blowing my hair. After a hearty breakfast at the
harbour side cafe, we met with Ian and Roger down at the
mariner. We were soon joined by a photographer from the
local press (Karen Friend - Herald Express)who took some
photo's to be used along with an article promoting Ian and
Roger's involvement. |
 |
Pictured above from left to
right, Roger Yersin, Ian Smaller, John Power and Bob Murray (ex
Kay's Catalogue Model, pleased to be back in front of the camera,
old posers die hard!)
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We preceded under full steam
into Torbay but due to the wind velocity, it was decided
that it was not possible to launch the 'chute under these
conditions. We tried to set up some still shots but it
wasn't very practical. The only decent photograph was
the one that Bob took of a steam train crossing the viaduct
at Paignton! We returned
to dry land were Roger suggested we try and set up some
shots on a nearby hill overlooking Torbay. |
| When we arrived at the location,
it looked very promising and Roger suggested that we would
be able to inflate the 'chute providing we could find
a secure fixing point. The
secure fixing point turned out to be a road sign. For
legal reasons I am not obliged to divulge the exact
location for fear of incriminating myself. But all I
will say is that I take my hat off to the local council
for the manner in which it was fixed to the ground.
Hurricane winds will not move this. |
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After ten
minutes of trying to at least get airborne, it was decided
to move further up the hill where we found a lone solitary
tree. Once again, Roger showed his prowess at tying
knots and me and the 'chute were securely fastened to
the only solitary oak tree left in Brixham. By now,
we had attracted a lot of attention from passing motorists
who must have thought it was a student prank, as here
we had someone dressed in a dry suit, crash helmet and
a harness into what appeared to be a parachute getting
tied off to a tree! |
| Once again,
the wind defeated us by changing direction constantly
and coming in gusts and I spent most of the time being
pulled from left to right in a wide arc.
Eventually, we
had to give up of which I was quite relieved, as the
harness I had been using was a little on the small side
and was biting into parts that harnesses shouldn't bite
into. |
|
Bob and I set off back
home at two o'clock on the same day were we hadn't actually achieved
what we had set out to do, we did have a laugh.
I will return again soon
but this time plan to spend a few days.
We are still seeking further
funding of which I feel confident I can secure to make this event
possible in 2005. We will keep you updated.
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"Futuro Dos"
7.5m Winch Boat
200 HP Turbo Diesel |
| Pictured opposite is the support
vessel of Sea
Training International Ltd in the form of a 10 metre
Delta rib. It is fitted
with twin 300 horse power diesel stern drives capable
of 50 knots and with a range of 350 nautical miles.
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 |
 |
Other good news came in the
form of a paragliding harness which is being sponsored
to us by Northern Paragliding Ltd
of Kirby Stephen in Cumbria. Our thanks to Ian Currer
and Martin for their patience in taking time out on their
busy open day (Saturday 21st August) to fit me out with
a suitable harness. The
harness has now arrived and has been tried out with
the view to making some slight adjustments i.e. extra
padding and the possible addition of some form of head
rest.
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We have also had a boost
to our funding from RNW (Recovery North West) who are sponsoring
this event by supplying the fuel for our towing vessel. A big
thanks goes out to Steve and Graham Hall for their support.
With regard to communications,
Karl Beach BA(Hons) System Consultant of SFL Mobile Radio Ltd. is to
supply 3 individual radio sets with hands free facilities. This
is to enable myself to have direct link with both craft which
will assist greatly from a safety point of view.
Due to the fact that the
launch date will now probably take place in Spring 2005, we have
had to switch our take-off point to Dublin. This is to enable
us to return and land in Liverpool hopefully before sunset.
Contact has been made with
the Howth Yacht Club which is
based on the northern shores of Dublin bay and will hopefully
be our launch site. Assistance from this club is looking favourable,
and I will be speaking to members of the committee shortly.
May 2005
Best news yet, I have now
secured the rest of the funding for the event courtesy of Reddington Finance Limited.
However, with every good piece
of news I receive it is usually followed closely by another obstacle
to overcome. This one is in the shape of vessel insurance, which
whilst frustrating I will manage to overcome. As I keep reminding
myself "What's a challenge if it's not a challenge!"
If any Marine Insurance Companies
are out there who actually understand the essence of insurance
risk, (not only willing to underwrite no risk activities)
then please contact me at the above. Lots of free advertising
available!
What needs to be done now
is to secure some event dates in the diary. This task is in hand
and I shall be in a position to announce a launch date very soon.
Now that funding is in place the pieces of the jigsaw can now
be brought together.
June 2005
Great thanks to Alan Williams
(Operations Support Manager Stena Line)
Alan has confirmed booking
from Holyhead to Dublin. The ferry will take 1 boat plus personnel
at 14:30 on Friday 8th July.
| Reconfirmed
Sea Training International's commitment by calling in
to see them on the way to Hollyhead.
Pictured from
left to right, are Bob Murray, John Power and Steve
McWilliams.
|
 |
Next I had some good news and some
bad news. First the good news; our accommodation problem in Dublin
has now been sorted, thanks to David McGinn who has acquired for
us the use of the local Sea Scout hall. David has also arranged
for the winch boat and personnel to be uplifted from Dublin port
back to Howth.
Now the bad news; I thought
I had sorted the problem of the winch boats insurance, having
received positive feedback from a broker, however this has now
turned out to be not the case. As it is now only three weeks to
launch, frantic efforts will have to be made in order for me to
secure the necessary insurance for Ian's boat.
Otherwise I am looking
at the prospect of purchasing seven sets of oars, and press ganging
the team members into rowing the entire crossing with myself attached
to the end of a clothes line!
Apart from this minor hiccup,
everything is set for the launch on Saturday the 9th July.
July 2005
A lot has happened since
our last update, but unfortunately the event was not one of them.
To say that I am disappointed would be a gross understatement.
Events took a turn for the worse less than 48 hours before our
departure to Dublin, when I was notified by our prospective insurer
that he was unable to secure the necessary cover and therefore
as a result I had to put the event on hold.
Thursday 7th and Friday
8th July were taken up by myself trying to salvage the event with
frantic 'phone calls to everyone and anyone who I thought may
be able to help. But alas, I was unsuccessful and as a result
both the team, the British Heart Foundation and visitors to the
Wirral show on Saturday the 9th missed out on what would have
been an eye-catching display.
As if to rub salt in the
wound, the weather as predicted was perfect for flying and I could
only sit and look out towards Dublin and reflect on what an opportunity
had been missed.
Since then I have been
trying to secure insurance from overseas but as of today I have
still been unsuccessful.
This event was on hold
and not cancelled at this stage!
November 2005
As you may have guessed the
planned event did not take place as I had hoped before the onset
of winter. However we will now attempt in spring at the earliest
opportunity.
The good news is that we have
secured insurance cover for the winch boat in the form of a private
sponsor. The person does not wish to be named but I would like
to extend my gratitude for his extremely generous offer.
To all those insurance companies
that were approached regarding cover for this event, thanks for
nothing!
As the old saying goes "Onward
and Upward"
March 2006
Having now gotten over the
disappointment of last years aborted attempt, I now feel positive
that 2006 will be the year when I succeed in fulfilling my goal.
Since our last news update
I have been contacting our sponsors and helpers who are still
as keen to support this event.
This also includes our private
insurance investor who has now joined the team and will be accompanying
us on our crossing. This is either to give a close eye on his
investment, or to cut me loose at the first signs of anything
going wrong.
Shortly, I hoped to be in
a position to announce a launch date for this event.
April
2009
Following
a meeting in Eastbourne in November 2008 with Stephen Jones
of Eastbourne Parasail, I have now secured the use of his
purpose built Parasail winch boat. Stephen will be accompanied
by his colleague Stephen Harmon.
Support
craft will once again be supplied by Merseyside Police Subaqua
Club, who have supported previous events, crewed by Paul Blanton,
Colin Atkinson and John Williams.
The
intention is to depart Liverpool to Dublin returning by ferry
the following day. We have a window of availability of the winch
boat between June and August this year.
Further
updates will appear shortly with regard to sponsors and additional
crew members.
We have now
secured the services of Northwest Ambulance Services finest
paramedic (who has been involved in all previous fund-raising
events), for reasons of national security his identity cannot
be disclosed at this point. Suffice to say be afraid, be very
afraid. "Sooty" is about to come out of his box.
Shortly I hope to be travelling
to Dublin to meet with Gerry Hickey who has kindly offered to
assist with finding accommodation for the crew on our over-night
stay.
That brings us right up to date
..... Stay up to date by checking our Latest
News page!
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