Friday meeting with WoodVale Challenge, Simon Chalk

Today saw Richard Bain and I travel down to the hub of WoodVale Challenge in Ashburton, Devon.

Simon Chalk and I both took part in the first ever Atlantic Rowing Race back in 1997. Since then, Simon has moved on and now runs many ocean rowing races around the world. You could say that he is now the for most authority on Ocean Rowing. He has also 'Chalked' up several ocean crossings himself. The Atlantic and Indian to name just two. He also has a wealth of experience in designing and building sea going rowing boats. So why do you think we went to see him?

Being in the market for new design sea worthy rowing boats ourselves, we decided to go down and get his expert advice first hand!

The day began very early as Richard is based in Kent, and me in Surrey. We arrived in Devon at around 14:00 and spent a long time looking at various rowing designs. Sone on paper, and others in the flesh - so to speak. Simon was very helpful and upbeat about the whole Challenge we ar taking on. He also sees the opportunity to use the London to Paris Challenge as a "warm up" for some of his Ocean Rowing competitors too.

We have settled on taking on the Cornish Gig as the boat for our use on future Challenges - unless that is, our trials over the next two months prove against it. We are going back to see him on Sunday to bring one back to Gravesend with us. Then we intend getting the three crews from L2P 2010 to river test her for us and give us their comments.

There is a lot we can get from each other and we intend to maximize our efforts by working alongside each other in the future.