Thursday, 6 November 2014

Don't look like its happening this year

Disappointed is not the word,

Roll on next year, ideally I need to get the channel challenge completed as early as possible next year, then its onto the Leeds to Liverpool kayak and hopefully many more challenges.

I can only apologies if I have let anyone down but the channel crossing will happen asap.

Thank you for your on going support.

Sunday, 5 October 2014

Time running out

Still no opportunities to undertake the crossing. I am finding it hard to keep training when doubt is coming into my mind as time is running out to attempt the crossing this year.... Hopefully I will get a small weather window before the end of October ..

Friday, 19 September 2014

So close, yet so far

The time and date was to be at 0815hrs on the 19th September.

I set off Rye bound after a days work. I found a B & B about 1100hrs last night all excited about the challenge in the morning.

I woke to a foggy morning and upon arrival at the departure point I met Will from the safety boat company, he explained that if the visibility was less than two miles then the challenge was not happening today. I waited around for an hour to see the fog clearing, so we set off for Dungeness. When we arrived at Dungeness the fog was worse than ever.

The latest I could set off was 1100hrs to enable our hopeful return within daylight. We decided to sit around for a couple of hours waiting for the fog to clear but to my disappointment it never cleared. We agreed that the challenge could not go ahead and headed back to Rye, followed by an  8hr drive home.

The safety company are confident that they will get me across by the end of October, fingers crossed.

Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Getting very frustrated over kayak challenge

I have not been in the kayak now for 6 weeks and only visited the gym a hand full of times.

The whole country is under a massive high pressure system and the safety company say its not safe enough to carry out the challenge at the moment. I don't know whether I am just unlucky or because our money is in their bank there is no incentive to get us across the channel, However, I am back in the kayak this weekend and I am keeping my fingers crossed that next week we get to give this challenge a bloody good go.

Thanks for bearing with me and a massive thanks for the continuing donations x

Friday, 5 September 2014

Trip of a life time.

Just got back from the most amazing trip of a life time.

Apologies for not updating the blog whilst out there but there was not a lot of wifi.

I will be putting photo's up as soon as possible along with the video diary.

Thank you again for your support and further more the donations.

Just awaiting the nod on the channel challenge. :))




Thursday, 21 August 2014

Frustrated but excited

Well, I never thought for one minute I would be doing the Pyrenees challenge before the kayaking.

The safety boat company have said that the seas are too rough to attempt the kayak challenge this week therefore, I will be setting off on Saturday morning for the Pyrenees. I am excited, apprehensive and a little worried if the truth be known.

I do not know what to expect really but I am sure it will be a fantastic experience and will hopefully raise some awareness for Crohn's and Colitis along the way.

I would like to thank everyone who has donated so far and I promise I will get across that bloody English Channel as soon as I can.

   

Friday, 15 August 2014

weather

Well, a week tomorrow I set off for the Pyrenees so the weather has to be kind to me and give me one day next week when I can attempt the kayak challenge.

I am back in the gym but I have not been in a kayak for over weeks, my car is still in France broken down, so I cannot get the kayak to the water..

Its all becoming a challenge in so many ways..




Wednesday, 6 August 2014

Ready and waiting

I have just returned from a great week in France with the family on holiday and now I am rearing to get the challenge completed.

As soon as the weather is good I am off to France (hopefully) by kayaking and not via ferry. It is becoming frustrating as I got myself in condition two weeks ago and now I feel I have to train again as I have not trained for three weeks.

The first thing I did on return from holiday was to check the weather and its not looking too good for the following week, but on a positive note, this gives me chance to get back into training again..

The waiting game continues..

Thursday, 24 July 2014

Press release !!

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/crohns-sufferer-set-row-across-7497028

I forget how frustrating sea challenges are !!

Unfortunately the safety boat company could not allow the challenge to go ahead this week due to the sea state being too rough for the crossing, the next available booking for the challenge is week commencing the 11th August for two weeks.

I am disappointed, but I appreciate that its a dangerous stretch of water and safety must come first.

Back to the gym for a couple of weeks.

Thank you so much for all your donation x

Monday, 21 July 2014

Waiting

Wednesday has been ruled out, it looks like later in the week

Sunday, 20 July 2014

The waiting game

Well, here I am all packed and just waiting on the call to go.

The weathers a little up and down, at the moment it's looking like it's going to be Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

Thursday, 17 July 2014

Photo from the weekend

We bumped into a photographer called Mike whilst we were having a little break and a bite to eat, he took this photo.

Weather forecast

Call me impatient, but you know what I am like when it comes to weather and my anorak tendencies.

The weather forecast for the English channel is looking bloody good, I am a bit premature but see what you think, its looking like Wednesday or Thursday to me.


Monday, 14 July 2014

1 Week to go

Well, that's the last training session before the crossing of the English Channel.

I had a fantastic weekend training on the Menai Straits with Liverpool Canoe Club. On the Saturday we left from Beaumaris and headed NE around Puffin Island and back. I have anchored many a time off Puffin Island on Zuma but seeing the island from a Kayak was amazing. Sunday they took me to the Swellies and scared the life out of me with my first white water session, I took a dip a couple of times but I learnt so much.

Thank you the ladies and gentlemen at Liverpool Canoe club for their help over the last few months.

Now I am to rest for the rest of the week with no gym and no kayaking :) concentrate on my diet and prepare mentally for the challenge.

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

2 weeks to go

I am getting that 'why did I say I would do it' feeling and starting to doubt my fitness.. But I returned to the gym yesterday for the first time with a strapped up back and it felt good.

I am hopefully away this weekend in Anglesey to get some sea practice in.

Thank you for the recent donations, It means so much..






Monday, 30 June 2014

Hilbre race

Well, I entered my first race on Sunday and it was very clear from the start that I require a few more lengthy sessions on the sea.

Out of 36 entrants I came 30th, one thing I learnt was preparation is key as a late night before and a week out of the gym due to a injury to my back a week ago in the gym led to my stamina levels being very low.

On a positive, I didn't capsize in quite heavy overfalls at the end of Hilbre Island.

I picked my new paddle from Go Kayaking today and I am itching to get out and try it out.. Thanks for the discount Go Kayaking.

Click on video below to see some of the 'race'

http://youtu.be/PeQ9aij3nNM

Wednesday, 25 June 2014

Less than 4 weeks to go

Its all becoming very real now and the nerves are kicking in.

Completed an 18 mile kayak up the Conwy River on Sunday with a sore back caused by lifting a little too much weight in the gym earlier in the day, but with plenty of pain killers I felt good and really enjoyed it.

I am going to stay out of the gym for a week or so until the 'ald' back is feeling better.

Go Kayaking in Runcorn have kindly helped with my purchase of a new paddle by giving a welcomed discount in return for advertising on the web site. Thank you Fran from Go Kayaking.

Sunday, 8 June 2014

Nasty swan

Had a great kayak in the Bridgewater Canal today, completed my first 15 miles all be it in flat calm water.


Here is a short video of my encounters with a fearless swan.
http://youtu.be/e55jWe0m7l4

Sunday, 18 May 2014

Anglesey weekend

Apart from forgetting most of my clothes and having to borrow various items of clothing from other kayakers, I had the most amazing kayak from Cemlyn bay to the 'Old Brickworks' 5.5 miles away.

Weather going was beautiful, along with amazing views and wild life, but the forecasted 35mph winds kicked in on the way back, luckily we were quite protected from the land as it was blowing a southerly.

Going across the bays where there was no protection was quite tricky and at times my heart was in my mouth but all in all a great trip and priceless advice gained from some of the Liverpool Kayaking Club.

Fantastic bunch of people, thank you.

It is really weird seeing the coast from water level as opposed to three miles off shore on a yacht. It's mind blowingly beautiful..

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

New Web Site

The new web site is now under construction -- www.PaulHardakerChallenges.co.uk.

The planned Kayak to Hilbre Island on Sunday did not happen due to the 30mph winds, re-scheduled for in a couple of weeks.

I am hopefully off to Trearddur Bay this weekend for some well needed sea kayaking. (weather permitting)

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Nothing straight forward

When out with my son I mentioned that the challenge across the English Channel is happening on the 23rd July, only to find out that his graduation ceremony is on the same day.

Luckily I have booked the whole week from the 21st to 25th for the safety boat, so hopefully the weather will be kind on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday as Wednesday is no goer.

Training is going well with hopefully a 15 mile Kayak to Hilbre Island this Sunday, weather permitting.

I will seriously have to pick the next challenge so that it will not be orientated around the weather or the sea state.

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Rolling rolling

I only went and rolled the kayak, admittedly it was in a beginners kayak but never the less I did it.. chuffed.


Monday, 28 April 2014

Getting the miles in.

Tackled the Bridge Water Canal on Sunday. A lot safer than the sea with no big waves!!

However, there are massive aggressive swans in nesting season that really do not like you kayaking anywhere near their nests and try their hardest to cause you injury. I escaped the first two nests but the third swan was the nastiest piece of work, charging at me and spitting, he was not a happy swan.

After heading 5 miles one way, I then had to return and go back 5 miles to where I had left my car, which meant passing the dreaded swans again. Like the die hard scouser I am, upon arrival at the 'nasty' swan I got out of my kayak and walked along the toe path, (that taught him) then flew past the remaining two swans to complete my first 10 miles. I was knackered, my back was sore and wearing a wet suit in hot weather was not the brightest idea. But, I DID IT.

Only problem was it was not even half the distance I have got to go to get to France.

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Three months to go !!

Well, the butterflies started this morning when I realised there are only 3 months left to go until I attempt crossing the English Channel.

Even more concerning is that after another hour in the swimming pool last night I still cannot roll the Kayak.

Going to try and get a good few miles under my belt this weekend !!

Sunday, 20 April 2014

Tuesday, 15 April 2014

Back to basics

Joined Liverpool Kayak Club and had my first session in the pool last night and my first attempt at trying to roll a Kayak.

After an hour I still could not roll the Kayak. I have got to practise in the garden, working on technique more than strength (This will only be happening after it goes dark :)

Monday, 14 April 2014

Training started - Kayaking the English Channel

Kayak bought, training begins.

Back in the gym and trying to fit the miles in on the kayak. Been training on the River Dee, longest session has been for 2 hours covering 8 miles on flat calm waters. Sore hand and shoulders.

Attempted to Kayak from Conway to Llandudno this weekend for my first time on the sea, but after 1 hour of being bashed by the waves in a force 4 - 5 , they got the better of me and over I went.

Luckily there was a man on the beach who saw me go over and very kindly phoned the coast guard to my embarrassment. Not the best start to my sea kayaking adventures.

On reflection I need proper training if I am going to complete this challenge. So I am in the local swimming pool tonight to learn how to roll.

Roll on the comforts of a swimming pool.