Wow, Just WOW.

We have been blessed with mighty fine sunsets and sunrises throughout this winter and scrolling through my images, it’s proving tricky to choose which ones to share with you. Magical memories, so good for the soul. My selection are at the foot of this message, some edited from video so definition not perfect.

It’s been a while since I’ve written, so I have some wonderful ‘headline moments’ to share. To the delight of our rowers, Dave the Seal, continues to surprise us, popping up here and there to follow our journey whilst he feeds and plays in the wake. of the boats. It was good to see him briefly on NYE and know the recent raging winds hadn’t blown him off our shore!

Under Tier 4, 1:1, we are offering our EXPLORERS 1:1 RowFit, Row Social and you will now find a NEW option of Skill Development (60, 90 or 120 mins).

Headline Moments

Demo trial of the Glide Tide

Lymington Sea Water Baths

Liteboat Adventure Trial stage 2

A ‘Stanning wish’ accomplished

Rowing Adventures, Ireland

Oakhaven Santa Aqua Dash

Demo Trial of the Glide Tide

A few months ago, we mentioned Paul Godsafe, from Glide Boats brought us his demo ‘Glide Tide’ to trial. This boat is longer (5m) and narrower that the Glide Solo so is the perfect ‘next progression’ for our Explorers. It is made with the same composition as the Glide Solo, making it durable and versatile. At 35kgs, it has a max weight of 135 kgs so opens things up for our taller, heavier rowers. We have 6 arriving off the first production run, hopefully this month and our website will reflect this NEW bookable options soon.

Lymington Sea Water Baths

We were given an opportunity (along with a select group of water sport providers), to use the Lymington Seawater Baths facility in the off season. The sheltered expanse of water proved to be perfect for our Learn to Row programme clients and often meant sessions that would have needed to be cancelled on the river, were fine to go ahead in the pool. It also opened up the option of higher ratio (1:4) sessions due to the dynamic of the location to help reduce costs for family groups. We hope to be able to continue using this facility once general winter maintenance has been completed and before the pool reopens to the general public. The permanent obstacles in the pool provided meaningful stations for the rowing skills development, particularly manoeuvring! Again, once this is facility is re-confirmed to us, this will be a NEW bookable option on our website.

Liteboat Adventure - Stage 2

Jane and I completed Stage 2 of our Adventure Trial in the Liteboats, launching from Avon beach and arriving in Durley Chine, just west of the pier. It was a gloriously sunny day and very enjoyable putting some kms on the milometer! Huge thanks to Steve for helping us with logistics. Jane uses a FISA regulated LiteRace and I use the LiteSport. These boats are sleek, yet stable and handled the current/ waves around Hengitsbury Head perfectly. A very comfortable and efficient row for longer distances. These premium boats will also be offered as a NEW bookable option for the more experienced Explorer, in due course.

Avon Beach- Hengitsbury Head- Southbourne, Boscombe, Bournemouth Pier- Durley Chine

A ‘Stanning wish’ accomplished

Last year, at the LARC official opening ceremony, I had the pleasure of meeting “Aunty Jilli” Stanning. She happened to mention she had never rowed but wished she could one day row with her niece Heather. So, an idea was born. As soon as Rowing Adventures was established, I suggested to Jilli that she join us for a Learn to Row programme with the plan to make that wish happen. Last month, I had the pleasure of witnessing Jilli and Heather rowing out together to Pylewell at sunset. Jilli rows steadily with real precision. ‘It’s in the blood’, she says.

It was a very special moment for Rowing Adventures Ltd.

Jilli and Heather Stanning, Pylwell, Solent with The Needles and Hurst in the background.

Rowing Adventures, Ireland

Seamus from Donegal Rowing Club has been watching RA Ltd progress with interest. He connected with us during the summer and we recently had the pleasure of finally virtually meeting with him to share ideas. He, like us has seen the value that the Glide Boats add to the ongoing development of Coastal Rowing for all. We are excited to see his new venture develop and hope to be able to visit his location to discuss future collaborations. We have also had another enquiry from a club in Florida…so watch this space.

Oakhaven Santa Aqua Dash

With no Santa Dash 2020, Oakhaven suggested the community get creative to help them raise funds instead. During ‘Santa Week’ Lymington was flooded with santas running, cycling, walking, swimming and we offered free seats for our Explorers to get festive and row…We set an initial target of £200 but our wonderful clients and supporters had other ideas and we finally topped £600. It was fun, healthy and social in a 2m kinda way and we got to drink mulled wine and eat mince pies so a total win all round! Thank you to The Wards for joining us with a support boat at sunset and to Hoilly for taking some wonderful photos for us.

Rowing Adventures Ltd est. 2020

So now it leaves me to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported our new venture with so much enthusiasm. We look forward to you joining us on our next chapter into 2021 and beyond. We have loved meeting new rowing friends and sharing coastal rowing magic with you.

Stay safe and see you all out there for more sunrise and sunset adventures soon.

Kirsty and Jane