An update on The Great British Paddle
by Sarah Thornely
www.supjunkie.co.uk
Photos: Alfie Marsh
www.alfiemarsh.com
The Wylie diary part II
The last three months has seen Jordan paddling from Land’s End up to the notoriously dangerous Cape Wrath in Scotland. We’ve been following his journey closely with our hearts in our mouths, as we see Jordan coping with continued fatigue, sickness, increasingly dangerous conditions and much, much colder weather. On the flip side, we have seen his absolute resolve and determination to realise his dream of raising money for the Charity Frontline Children, to give war-torn and displaced children hope, schooling and safety.
Once at Cape Wrath, Jordan bumped into fellow adventurer Charlie Head who is paddling in the opposite direction around Scotland. Jordan took the time to send me an exclusive photo of the two of them holding the Scottish flag. A meeting of two incredible men!
Cape Wrath is not to be under-estimated – many locals and fishermen doubted that paddling around it would be possible. It’s where the Atlantic comes roaring across to the North West tip of Scotland and the tide and swell are huge. On the 9th December Jordan finally rounded the Cape and is now working his way East across the most Northern part of Scotland in an attempt to reach John O’Groats before Christmas. “If I thought parts of the coast I paddled before were difficult, like Land’s End, the crossing to Ireland and then back again to the mainland, they pale into insignificance compared to Scotland!” Jordan told me recently.
“It’s tough every day,”
Strong winds and low winter sunshine are also a feature of the Cape and Jordan found that once he had passed the Isle of Skye with the Outer Hebrides to his left, that it was the most exposed he had ever felt on his journey. “It’s tough every day,” Jordan said “with plenty of non-paddling days because of the severe weather and sea conditions.”
“One of the most dangerous things with the conditions as they are, is getting me and my board on and off the boat.” said Jordan. There have been changes on the boat too with just Max (Skipper) and Alfie (cameraman/photographer) supporting Jordan now. First mate Tori is taking a well-earned break. You really can get the sense of the conditions and dangers by checking out the weekly videos on Jordan’s YouTube Channel. Episode 20 – Keep Attacking, is particularly impressive and we challenge you to watch without your toes curling!
Current stats: 137 days in, 2,289 kms travelled so far, £22,406 raised and a couple of land-based Guinness World Records achieved in the midst of this!
A new sponsor is helping Jordan on his journey – we welcome and thank Firepot Food for joining the Team – www.firepotfood.com – please check out all the wonderful support on www.thegreatbritishpaddle.com.
Also big thanks to SUPfm who have also joined in the fundraising mission – check out their offer (for you and Jordan) on social media. Don’t forget also the #PoundaPaddle pledge – every little helps!
Jordan and the Team are very much looking forward to the “downhill bit” on the East coast after John O’Groats and really want to thank each and every person who has helped Jordan get this far.
