Over the course of 12 days this July, a flotilla of powerboats will set off from MDL's Queen Anne's Battery Marina in Plymouth on a 1500 mile voyage around the British/UK coastline that includes a stop-over on Belfast lough writes Hugo Montgomery–Swan. Navigating the course as one flotilla, the Challenge teams will take on all that the elements can throw at them as they seek to complete anything between 120 miles 175 miles a day.
The 2014 Suzuki Powerboat & RIB Round Britain Challenge will be the most significant event of its kind taking place in the UK this year and represents a unique adventure involving people from all walks of life. By its nature, the 12 day circumnavigation possesses human endeavour, man and machine, extreme elements, plus of course, the opportunity to see our native coastline and ecology from an unrivalled vantage point.
The 2014 Suzuki Powerboat & RIB Round Britain Challenge will run from the 25th July to the 5th August 2014 and will take in the Scilly Isles in the south and Loch Ness in the north. Overnight stops in specially selected ports en-route and the opportunity for teams to witness England's coastline in close proximity will provide the experience of a lifetime for all those taking part. This open styled offshore endurance challenge is attracting adventurers from all over the UK including teenagers, private boat owners, lifeboatman and even maritime professionals.
Event Organiser, Hugo Montgomery-Swan of Powerboat & RIB Magazine states, "the 12 day challenge guarantees a rare and unforgettable experience and we are very grateful to have the support of Suzuki. Though the teams have to complete the course in the allotted time, the event is not a race, which means all those taking part will be encouraged to record their findings and experiences as well as sightings of all the wildlife they encounter along the way. In fact, we hope that the 12 day experience will generate valuable environmental data as to the numbers and movements of our native sea birds as well as precious creatures such as dolphins, basking sharks and even whales."
George Cheeseman, Sales & Marketing Manager for Suzuki ATV & Marine said, "The 2013 Suzuki Round Ireland Powerboat & RIB Challenge was a fantastic experience for the teams that took part and gave us great opportunities for product exposure. Therefore we are delighted to come on board for a second year running and be the title sponsor for this new challenge."
Overnight ports of call, where members of the public are welcomed to come and meet the teams and see the boats, include:
Day One: Plymouth (11am start) to Hugh Town, St Marys, Isles of Scilly - 100NM
Day Two: Isles of Scilly to Neyland Marina, Milford Haven, via Lundy Island – 150NM
Day Three: Neyland Marina to Holyhead – 140NM
Day Four: Holyhead to Bangor, Northern Ireland, (via possible midway stop at Castletown IOM) – 110NM
Day Five: Bangor to Oban - 160NM
Day Six: Depart Oban early for Corpach/Fort William – 30 miles. Then Corpach/Fort William to Inverness via Caledonian Canal & Loch Ness – 55NM
Day Seven: Inverness to Arbroath – 160NM
Day Eight: Arbroath to Whitby – 150NM
Day Nine: Whitby to Lowestoft – 160NM
Day Ten: Lowestoft to Ramsgate – 80NM
Day Eleven: Ramsgate to Southampton – 130NM
Day Twelve: Southampton to Plymouth – 150NM
(TOTAL DISTANCE - APPROX 1570 MILES.)
