A Kent based team of rowers, kayakers and canoeists successfully crossed the English Channel on Sunday 13 July to raise funds for Save Canterbury Cathedral and Odyssey. Despite anticipating a 6 hour crossing they completed the 24 mile journey in just 4 hours 50 minutes.
To make a donation to either charity, the Save Canterbury Cathedral Appeal or Odyssey or any combination of these charities, please go to www.justgiving.com/edwardcondry
The rowing team training in the 34ft Thames Cutter
The team had to postpone the crossing once (originally planned for Saturday 12 July) from Dover to Sangatte due to bad weather. However, the weather on Sunday offered perfect conditions as the team departed Dover for the harbour walls and the expanse of the English Channel beyond. Whilst in the harbour they were greeted by an unexpected but welcomed well wisher - an inquisitive seal.
Steve Gough, one of the main organisers of the challenge and a trustee of Odyssey made the crossing in a double kayak. He said today, “It was incredible because as we set off a seal swam within 20 feet of us in the kayak and then it swam over to the rowers in the Thames cutter. It was a magical moment and a brilliant start to the challenge.”
The team of kayakers in training
Canon Edward Condry, a Residentiary Canon at Canterbury Cathedral was also one of the key organisers of the project and rowed in the Thames Cutter. He said of the conditions they faced,” Once outside the harbour walls the calm sea became more complex and we all spent a terribly taxing one and a half hours negotiating it. We had trained in conditions far worse than this so were prepared, but that was the toughest time in the whole challenge.”
A strong team of support accompanied the teams across the channel in safety vessels provided by Scorpion Ribs. The team was also in constant contact with the coastguards and between them they navigated a perfect route across the Channel for all the craft making the journey.
Steve Gough said ”When we were out there crossing the shipping lanes which we knew are some of the busiest in the world, it all felt suddenly very daunting, but the coast guards and safety vessels with us were in complete control of the situation. But I can tell you that seeing a super tanker at sea from our small kayak was an awe-inspiring sight.”
On completing the challenge Canon Condry said,”When we landed in Sangatte the sense of achievement we all felt was exhilarating. Every single member of that team pulled together, some with very little previous experience of rowing and canoeing, others with lots of experience. Although we are taking the limelight now, the thanks must go to our support team – Nomad for the sponsor of the kayaks, Scorpion Ribs for the safety vessels, Pharon, Barretts Group and Sea France who provided the very welcome ferry tickets back home. We all thank you."
The team were reported to be tired but feeling well today.
