September 2009. Windfest was really my first race (although I entered Gwithian before that didn’t really count!)
I didn’t own a board or paddle at this point so I managed to borrow as Starboard Mr Easy 11’2 from John Hibbard, and a Werner Spanker from Boyd Shaw. I had a good start keeping with the main lead pack until we rounded the back of the island & into a strong headwind. With no experience of paddling into a headwind I lost time quickly.
- Back of Brownsea Island, loosing time in the headwind
By the time I hit the channel to return I was seriously shattered… I felt something big looming up behind me, bearing in mind this is a VERY busy shipping channel, I put my head down only to hear the really loud blast of a horn… looking up I saw my brother-in-law (pilot of the local tourist passenger ferry) pulling up along side to cheer me on ha ha.
It helped me dig deep and drive to the finish where I collapsed into the water a very tired boy.
- Brownsea Island finish line
My time: (roughly) 1hr 15
Distance: 5 miles
Position: 11th