Firefighter Challenge 
Wight Extreme Hike - Day One, Thursday 6th July 2006
The team are ready for day on of their challenge, which sees them leaving Cowes, Isle of Wight at 7am on 6th July 2006 for Freshwater (expecting to arrive at around 6pm).
Wight Extreme Hike - Day One, Thursday 6th July 2006
After seven months of training the team are ready to embark on their challenge, raising a substantial amount of money for the Isle of Wight Chemotherapy Unit.
The Team set-off
The team set-off, heading initially for Gurnard.
Egypt Point - parade
The team begin to negotiate their first encounter with the water, which is thankfully not too cold!
Egypt Point - parade
Continuing onwards to Gurnard.
Egypt Point - parade
Continuing onwards to Gurnard.
Egypt Point - parade
Continuing onwards to Gurnard.
Egypt Point - parade
The water begins to get a little deeper on their journey to Gurnard.
Egypt Point to Gurnard
Continuing onwards to Gurnard.
Gurnard
Arrival at Gurnard.
Onwards to Thorness Bay.
Gurnard
Just a little fragrant that water!!!
Arrival Thorness Bay
The team arrive in Thorness Bay, a little ahead of schedule.
Dried banana
Dried banana is THE food!
Speaking with Isle of Wight Radio - on air
Jason, no please don't do that whilst I'm on air!!
Onward to Colwell Bay
Having negotiated the crossing of Newtown Harbour, the team head towards Yarmouth.
Bouldner
Arriving at Bouldner for much needed bacon sandwiches the team head for Yarmouth.
Bouldner
Whilst the bacon sarnies are in sight there's seaweed and rocks to negotiate.
Yarmouth Pier
The team arrive at Yarmouth Pier for a brief chat to the media.
Yarmouth Town Centre
Walking through Yarmouth Town Centre.
More talking with the media
One interview after another!!
Now where's my agent?
Arriving Fort Victoria for lunch
The team arrive at Fort Victoria for some much needed lunch and a brief rest.
The team have completed around five hours of walking and swimming.
Fort Victoria
Another change of cloths and ready for the next stage onto Colwell Bay,
Thanks to Fire Service crews from Yarmouth turning out to support the challenge.
Louis
Louis makes an appearance to support his Dad, but remains asleep!
Onwards to Colwell Bay and Totland
The team leave Fort Victoria after a find lunch and are ready for the next stage.
Colwell Bay
The team approach Colwell Bay and continue to be slightly ahead of schedule.
Colwell Bay
Colwell Bay is a gathering for the supporters to encourage the team on, before they head for Alum Bay.
Approaching Alum Bay
The team are soon approaching Alum Bay.
Needles Pleasure Park, Alum Bay
The team arrive at the Needles Pleasure Park Alum Bay chair lift.
Another change into their wet and protective gear for a final, difficult and challenging section for the end of the day.
Thanks to Fire Service crews from Freshwater turning out to support the challenge and help raise awareness.
Freshwater Inshore Lifeboat
The Freshwater Inshore Lifeboat crew arrive to guide and support the crew on the next dangerous section.
Alum Bay
The team are changed and ready to start the final section of negotiating the Needles around to Freshwater Bay.
Towards the Needles
The journey from Alum Bay to the Needles is both very demanding and dangerous.
Towards the Needles
The journey from Alum Bay to the Needles is both very demanding and dangerous.
Toward the Needles
A combination of walking, wading and swimming is required.
Toward the Needles
A combination of walking, wading and swimming is required.
The Freshwater Inshore Lifeboard remains alongside for safety, guidance and enocuragement.
Toward the Needles
A combination of walking, wading and swimming is required.
Toward the Needles
The journey does not get any easier approaching the Needles.
Toward the Needles
The journey does not get any easier approaching the Needles.
The Needles
Finally rounding the Needles to turn back towards Freshwater Bay.
The Needles
Finally rounding the Needles to turn back towards Freshwater Bay.
The Needles
The relief and achievement for the team are obvious, but there is a great deal more effort required before reaching Freshwater Bay.
Rounding the Needles
The team now heads for Scratchells Bay towards Freshwater Bay.
Rounding the Needles
The team now heads for Scratchells Bay towards Freshwater Bay.
Freshwater Inshore Lifeboat
The crew at work.
Scratchells Bay
The team are back on dry land and make their way along the coast before another very challenging section draws near.
Scratchells Bay
The team are back on dry land and make their way along the coast before another very challenging section draws closer.
Support Crew
Some of the Support Crew view the team's progress from the Needles Battery view point on the cliff above Scratchells Bay.
Change of tactic
As expected the current and swell is just to strong and dangerous to negotiate this section by swimming as originally intended.
So undawnted the team opt for rowing dingies for a section, determined to complete the challenge at every stage using only their own power; they are not pulled by the lifeboat crew or support crew boat.
Rowing from Scratchells Bay
The team begin a gruelling row against a large swell.
Cramp sets into to tired legs as they kneel to paddle.
Row, row, row your boat...
Jason 'offers' to row for the others, who state cramp prevents them from doing so!!
A happy crew
Whilst the other crew are happy and make ground on catching the lead boat.
View towards Freshwater Bay
A misting and drizzly view towards Freshwater Bay from Scratchells Bay.
The journey is a long and arduous one.
Back towards 'dry' land
The team head back towards dry land and more rock climbing and clambering.
Towards the Needles
The weather towards the Needles is also closing in against the cliff face.
Good progress towards Freshwater Bay
Whilst beginning to feel the pace of the day, the end approaches fast as the team near the end of day one.
Good progress towards Freshwater Bay
Whilst beginning to feel the pace of the day, the end approaches fast as the team near the end of day one.
Good progress towards Freshwater Bay
Whilst beginning to feel the pace of the day, the end approaches fast as the team near the end of day one.
Good progress towards Freshwater Bay
Whilst beginning to feel the pace of the day, the end approaches fast as the team near the end of day one.
Just whose idea was this?
Freshwater Bay
The sun finally begins to shine as the team approach Freshwater Bay.
Team appear at Freshwater Bay
The team finally appear at Freshwater Bay at 6.15pm; only 15 minutes behind the estimated schedule for the day.
Team appear at Freshwater Bay
The team finally appear at Freshwater Bay at 6.15pm; only 15 minutes behind the estimated schedule for the day.
Freshwater Bay
The team arrive in Freshwater Bay.
Freshwater Bay
The team arrive in Freshwater Bay.
Greeted by family, friends, support crew and supporters
The team arrive in Freshwater Bay.
The final stretch to food, shower, rest and beer!
The team approach their final stop of the day.
End of Day One
The team successfully complete day one, with only minors cuts, the odd blister and a few aching muscles.
Pure amber nectar
A well deserved, ice cold pint.
Mine's a Guinness All photographs are copyrighted and may not be used without prior written permission. All rights reserved.
Media/Press: Please contact us if you wish to publish selected photographs shown here.
