We did it! A 04:45 start to catch the slack water. Some waiting around for a gap in the large tanker traffic, then straight across back to Haile Sand Fort, where we left on that rainy, blustery day which feels like a lifetime ago now. So excited to have achieved this. Now heading around to Wells-next-the-sea for a celebratory rest.
Dover, where we also had to time our crossing based on the passing ships, is the busiest port in terms of passenger numbers. But Grimsby, where we set-off from on our first day, and Immingham slightly further up the Humber River, together form the second biggest port in terms of freight tonnage, 41.7 million metric tons in 2018, exeeded only by London with it’s 44.8M. Between them it is not uncommon to have over 110 ships arrive in any one 24hr period, most of which arrives at slack tide – exactly when we were also attempting it.
After what I can only imagine was the initial rush as the tide turned, we saw a gap, and confirmed with Humber Control we were safe to go. We started out, aiming as close as possible to the final incoming ship. A typical bulk carrier, is ~300m long and sits ~40meters above the water. Wind shadows extend out 7 times the height of the object blocking it’s path. So although we gave enough of a gap in terms of safety for the wake and prop-wash (which we still felt), we cut it a bit too close in terms of the wind shadow – both of our kites dropped out the sky, plopping us in the water like discarded laundry. Just as quickly as it disappeared, it was back, and both of us were relaunched and going before Joe had a chance to catchup and summon Jeremy.
Its amazing what adrenaline can do. Except for the few days off in the Scilly Isles, we’ve done very little freestyle this trip, usually because we’re exhuasted from fighting the wind (whether it’s present or not) but also in fear we damage our equipment or worse ourselves. But with the excitement of completing what has been 2-years in the planning, the tricks came out. After over 4500km kiting, I still can’t consistently gybe nor tack on the foil, but in the elation of the day, did manage my first foil board grab! Words can’t describe the sense of acheivement, excitement, and partial relief that it was all over. I know I was alone in wanting to continue around again – there was a resounding NO from everyone even before I finished the suggestion. We’ll just have to find another adventure to embark on.
Map of today’s route
Map Key: Stew (Red), Islay (White) and Mentor (Blue)
| Days since start of trip | 103 |
| Number of Kiting Days | 51 |
| Distance Travelled Today | 6.5 nm |
| Distance Kited Today | 19 nm |
| Time spent kiting today | 1 hrs 50mins |
| Total Distance Travelled | 1656.6 nm |
| Total Distance Kited | 2440 nm |
| Total Kiting time | 251hrs 14mins |
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