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Kayaker overcomes setbacks on Monaco challenge
Chris Allix, Man to Monaco
KAYAKER Chris Allix had an eventful week both on and off the water last week as he continued on his 2,000 mile journey from the island to Monaco.
He woke up on Monday to a forecast of 70kph winds, but when he reached his start point, didn’t think the wind was as bad as the forecast.
‘However, how wrong could I be,’ he said.
‘When I reached the point where the branch section rejoined the Rhone the winds hit me and I paddled over to the left bank hoping to get some protection but it was worse there and I was nearly swept into the bridge.
‘This I avoided but I was still being blown into the bank.
‘After a short while I realised that the forecast was not wrong and I was facing winds gusting up to the expected 70kph.
‘I realised that if I continued I would almost certainly end up swimming, not to be attempted at this stage because the commercial barges cannot stop.’
The kayak was loaded on to the car but Chris and his support team had only travelled a few metres before the car broke down. He was told by the local Jaguar garage it would take at least two weeks to fix.
He said: ‘I believe this has been my worst day so far, but never mind, I will overcome these problems and still intend to get to Monaco by September 19.’
The following two days saw Chris and the team renting a car and driving through southern France getting parts for a new roof rack.
Chris, of Tromode, finally got back on the water on Thursday – but only at 2.30pm because they realised they still had a part missing for the roof rack. And it wasn’t for long because he hadn’t noticed a natural weir, which he couldn’t risk in his kayak.
‘Getting out was reasonably simple but getting back was much more difficult. I found a place where this could be done but the five metre drop to the water was the problem.
‘Fortunately there was a thin ramp (used to indicate the water levels) so I slid the kayak down the ramp and then with wet feet managed to get back into the kayak.’
Chris crossed the Irish Sea on June 26, and after working his way south through England he crossed the Channel at the end of July.
Since then he has been negotiating French rivers and canals.
This week will see him paddling in the Mediterranean.
He is raising money for Sailing for the Disabled (Isle of Man), Namaste Children’s Home (Nepal), Outward Bound Trust (Monaco), Encompass Trust (UK) and the ICM Charitable Trust (Isle of Man).
Donate online at www.mantomonaco.com or drop in cheques to his office: Dominion Marine Corporate Services Ltd, 6th Floor, Victory House, Prospect Hill, Douglas.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
