Firefighter Challenge

Day One of the Wight Extreme Hike - Cowes to Freshwater

The walk will start off on West Cowes parade with the team going anti-clockwise towards Alum Bay. The coastline from Gurnard to Newtown and Hampstead is very muddy with lots of tangled tree roots to add to the fun! The intention is to arrive at Alum bay in the early afternoon then get round the headland during the late afternoon when hopefully the water will be calmer. There are a few stretches along the way that will undoubtedly involve a swim but a least that will clean off some of the mud. The first day will end once the team have reached Freshwater bay.

The team will remain on the shoreline throughout the day of the hike.

Approximate times for Thursday 6th July 2006:

07:00hrs start at Cowes, opposite Mornington Road/bandstand

08:30hrs Thorness Beach

09:30hrs Newtown Creek (swim!)

11:30hrs Yarmouth town (swim!)

12:30hrs Fort Victoria

14:15hrs Colwell Bay

14:30hrs Totland Bay

15:00hrs Alum Bay (swim around the Needles)

18:00hrs Freshwater Bay (rest for the night)

Wight Extreme Hike - Report Day One

Day Two of the Wight Extreme Hike - Freshwater to Yaverland

The second day will start at Freshwater bay and the team will head along Compton beach, to Whale chine and Blackgang. This stretch is actually quite arduous because a lot of the beach is loose shingle and saps your energy very effectively. Nitons coastline is very rocky and it gets no better towards St.Lawrence, Ventnor and Bonchurch but at least there is an easy stretch along Sandown and Shanklins seafront. The second day will end in Yaverland and as long as the team are not eaten by Tigers from the zoo they will be fresh for day three!!

The team will remain on the shoreline throughout the day of the hike.

Approximate times for Friday 7th July 2006:

06:00hrs Breakfast

06:30hrs start from Freshwater Bay (swim!)

07:30hrs Shippards Chine

08:45hrs Grange Farm

09:30hrs Atherfield Holiday Camp

10:00hrs Whale Chine

11:30hrs Castlehaven

13:00hrs Woody Bay

14:00hrs Ventnor

15:30hrs Shanklin Chine - team joined by Matt Le Tissier

16:30hrs Sandown Pier

17:30hrs Yaverland Sailing Club - rest for the night

Wight Extreme Hike - Report Day Two

Collection facilities, all day on Friday 7th July 2006 at:

Isle of Wight Pearl

Balckgang Chine

Botanic Gardens, Ventnor

Day Three of the Wight Extreme Hike - Yaverland to Cowes

Day three starts with a stiff legged march round Culver cliffs and into Whitecliff bay, from there round Lane end to Bembridge and on past St.Helens and Seaview to Ryde for an Ice-cream and a cup of tea! Assuming any of the team have not been washed away by the sea, been buried under a cliff fall or broken their neck tripping over tree roots they will plod through the mud of Wootten and drag themselves to East Cowes where they will enjoy the luxury of the floating bridge!
The final stage is the gentle walk down through Cowes town accompanied by hoards of people collecting money for this great cause.

The Island really needs the Chemotherapy Unit so please support us with this challenge and sponsor us.

The team will remain on the shoreline throughout the day of the hike.

Approximate times for Saturday 8th July 2006:

08:00hrs start from Yaverland Sailing Club

08:45hrs Whitecliff Bay

09:30hrs Bembridge Lifeboat station

10:00hrs Duver (swim!)

11:00hrs Seaview

12:00hrs Ryde Pier

13:30hrs Fishbourne (swim)

16:00hrs East Cowes

16:30hrs West Cowes floating bridge

17:00hrs Cowes - finish!

The team are due to be joined in Cowes by Paul Street, Brigade Manager, Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, Laura Peacy-Wilcox, Mayor of Cowes, Tony King, Deputy Mayor of Cowes, Andrew Turner, Isle of Wight MP, Councillor Andy Sutton, Leader of the Council, along with crews from Cowes Fire Station, Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.

The Wight Extreme Hike team would like to express their sincere thanks to all the volunteers of the Isle of Wight Branch of the Wessex Cancer Trust for their tireless support and assistance before and during the challenge; with particular thanks to Jean Ring.

Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service crews from around the Island will be joining the team to assist in raising funds as the team progress. The Wight Extreme Hike team are very grateful for their support.

Wight Extreme Hike - Report Day Three

Download timetable and route for the Wight Extreme Hike, Firefighter Challenge 2006 - in PDF (65KB)

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