Leaving the beach near Gosport RNLI, the VHF radio is full of chat about swimmers crossing the Solent. That seems like a mad idea and much better to be in kayaks. Especially as we have an exciting route that takes us pass three of the four Palmerston Forts, as well as the buoy marking the spot where the Marie Rose sank, and across the shipping channel to the Isle of Wight.
Conditions were expected to be challenging and this trip had been advertised only for experienced club members. As well as some waves and strong winds, the trip route meant that the wind would be in every direction at some point in the trip: from the left, from the right, behind and straight ahead – and everything in between! With wind of F4 (12-18mph) and gusts a lot higher, we were in for an exciting paddle.
About an hour after we start heading East, we’re at Spitbank Fort and then we change direction to head South West to the Mary Rose Buoy.
Then we have the 3km paddle into the wind to Horse Sands Fort, where we’re able to a have a short rest.
Then we are off to No Man’s Fort across the shipping channel. The wind is behind us for this leg and we do it about 20 minutes faster than planned. The strong wind along with the changing tidal flows have made planning the timings for the trip challenging.
We land at Seaview about 20 minutes early, so we have a long lunch break and have time for a pot of tea at the Old Fort café. While we’re there the Red Arrows fly over, as part of the VJ Day commemorations.
After lunch we all do a seal launches to get on the water to avoid getting pushed into the rocks by the waves. The route back is a direct straight line without any forts. However, once in the Solent we get affected by the wind quite a lot as well as the flow, which are pushing us much further East than we want to be. After adjusting our course, dodging hovercraft and ferries, we get to the middle of the Solent.
As we arrive, an enormous P&O cruises ship goes past. When it is well passed we adjust our course to land at the beach at our launch point. Before getting off the water, Fiona does a self rescue in the bay, and Mike does a roll. Which is pretty impressive after the length of the trip (26km) and the conditions. Well done to everyone for completing this trip successfully!
