Man Planning to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight single handed in a classic wooden rowing boat
Meet Paul Berry who is planning to circumnavigate the Isle of Wight single handed in a classic wooden rowing boat! The boat was built 50-60 years ago by his Grandad and named after his Nan Rosemary! Follow his journey at Rowing for Reason as he restores his Grandads boat and prepares for this incredible challenge Paul is restoring one of the boats that his grandad built some 50-60 years ago which is a classic wooden rowing boat that was mainly used to rescue swimmers and people in distress off of the beach in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. He named it after my Nan, Rosemary Blake who lost her decade long battle of cancer last year. 2018 also marks the 10th anniversary of the death of my Step father, Del Blake Bevan who took his own life one week before his 30th birthday. For both of these reasons I am rowing ‘Rosemary’ around the Isle of Wight on a date yet to be confirmed (tide, weather and work) dictates, but it is likely to be during June/July 2018. I will update the progress of the boat Rosemary on this page. Donations can be made via my Rowing for Reason page to my two chosen charity’s Papyrus who’s mission is the Prevention of young Suicide of male and females who are 35 years old and under. The second charity is Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Which supports young people in building confidence after recovering from cancer treatment through sailing. Whether I raise £10 or £10,000 both charity’s will have the funds spilt 50/50. Please lookout for and support my challenge. I need to carry out necessary repairs and also ensure my body is ready to cover the distance. Paul plans to do it within 24hrs using fair tide.
