Circumnavigation:
Isle of Wight

Route Distance: ~48 nm / 88.9 km
Prevailing direction: CCW
Record: 2023 - 06:28:31
Solo: 43
Team: 28

Records

Billy Butler
K1M_Ski06:28:312023
John Willacy
K1M07:02:242021
John Willacy
K1M07:19:462015
Brendan Reese
K1M07:59:002011
Chloe Bunnett
Ivan Lawler
Peter Molnar
Team_Ski08:36:24 2010
Andy Hiscock
Martin Scott
Team09:24:002010
John Aberdein
K1M09:49:001980
Needles

The Isle of Wight is another UK island that seems to have been created to give a perfect one day circumnavigation challenge. It also brings into play interesting tides and scenery, at the same time all this is complicated by some of the busiest waterways found along the UK coastline. A good combination of planning, stamina and paddling skills are required for this one but also an especial awareness for all those others afloat.


Note: Paddling through the gap at The Needles is acceptable routing. You do not have to go around the end.

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Circumnavigation: Isle of Wight

Solo

Click column header to sort.
Posn.K1WCatPaddlerElapsedDateBoatTideDirNoteVerifiedLink1
1K1M_SkiBilly Butler06:28:3102-Oct-23Epic V10
9.6CCWYes
2K1MJohn Willacy07:02:2409-Oct-21Rockpool Taran 18
9.7CCWYes
3K1MJohn Willacy07:19:4623-Mar-15Rockpool Taran 18
10.0CCWYes
4K1MRhys Hunt07:20:5708-Oct-21Valley Nordkapp
9.8CCWYes
5K1MRhys Hunt07:31:2530-Mar-21Valley Nordkapp
10.0CCWYes
6K1MRhys Hunt07:31:5027-Apr-21Valley Nordkapp
9.9CCWYes
7K1MGiles Hudson07:50:5708-Oct-21Rockpool Taran 18
9.8CCWYes
8K1MMichal Madera07:57:1027-May-21Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.7CCWYes
9K1MBrendan Reese07:59:0028-Jul-11Nelo Inuk
8.4CCWYesPhotos
10K1MMike Conroy08:10:5111-Sep-22Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.6CCWYes
11K1MMartin Scott08:21:0030-Aug-11Epic 18x
9.8CCWYes
12K1MVictor Copeland08:22:1422-Sep-13P+H Bahiya
9.4CCW--
13K1MMichal Madera08:25:5722-Jul-20Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.2CCWYes
14K1MRhys Hunt08:30:5815-Jan-21Valley Nordkapp
9.5CCWYes
15K1MDan Sandham08:53:4913-Aug-22Rockpool Taran 18
9.5CCWYes
16K1MJames Doherty08:56:3605-Nov-21Rockpool Taran 18
9.8CCWYes
17K1MSimon Palmer08:58:4311-Sep-22Rockpool Alaw Bach
9.6CCWYes
18K1MVictor Copeland09:00:00Jul-13P+H Bahiya
CCW--
19K1MJames Doherty09:02:0727-Apr-21Rockpool Taran 18
9.9CCWYes
20K1MJon Needham09:18:0921-Jul-22Rockpool Taran 18
8.2CCWYes
21K1MSimon Turnbull09:22:1016-Jul-22Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.3CCWYesBlog
22K1MAndy Hiscock09:27:0013-Sep-14Epic 18
CCWYes
23K1MMark Rainsley09:28:0031-May-14Zegul Velocity
CCW--Blog
24Row_CCM1Mike Ellicock09:39:3502-Sep-23Angus Expedition Rowboat
9.8CCWYes
25K1MJohn Aberdein09:49:0009-Sep-80Valley Anas Acuta
CCW--Article
26K1MJon Needham09:51:2310-Jun-20Rockpool Taran 18
CCWYes
27K1MPhil Smith09:52:5430-Sep-23Perception Essence 17
9.9CCWYes
28K1MJames Doherty10:05:3916-Sep-20Cape_Falcon F1
CCWYesYouTube
29K1MGiles Hudson10:08:4706-Sep-20Rockpool Taran 18
CCWYes
30(1)K1WSharon Miller10:20:0004-Jul-1987P+H Umnak
CCW--
31K1MSimon Palmer10:25:5527-Aug-22Rockpool Alaw Bach
8.8CCWYes
32K1M_SkiPetr Major10:58:5811-Aug-21Petr_Major F9 ski
9.1CCWYes
33K1MJames Doherty11:02:1931-Aug-20Cape_Falcon F1
CWYesArticle
34K1MRob Tew11:03:2104-Sep-12Tiderace Xcite
CCWYes
35K1M_SkiRichi Oliver11:21:41 21-Sep-13Stealth Splash 550
CCW--
36K1MTim Wiggins11:53:0227-Jul-19Valley Etain RM
CWEscorted.--Local News
37K1MMichal Madera11:55:0031-Dec-10Plastex Sea Master
CCWYesPhotos
38K1MGlyn Brackenbury12:03:1405-Jan-13Mega Sovereign
CCWSailYes
39K1MMichal Madera12:21:5428-May-21Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.6CCWYes
40(2)K1WKate Duffus12:50:0017-Feb-10P+H Cetus LV
CCW--Blog
41K1MChris Hitchings13:52:1815-Jul-22Ocean_Kayak Scupper Pro
9.3CCW--
42SUP_MPhilip Plume14:25:5213-Jul-19Fanatic Blitz 14'
CCWYesBlog
43K1MPeter Mansell23:00:0016-Apr-10CCW--Website

43 solo paddlers

Teams

Click column header to sort.
Posn.CatPaddlerElapsedDateBoatDirNoteVerifiedLink1
1TeamRhys Hunt
Giles Hudson		07:23:5002-Oct-23Valley Nordkapp
Rockpool Taran 18
CCWYes
2TeamSimon Alderdice
Joe Langham		07:25:4118-Oct-20Rockpool Taran 18

CCWYes
3TeamRhys Hunt
Giles Hudson		07:39:3414-Jun-22Valley Nordkapp
Rockpool Taran 16
CCWYes
4TeamGiles Hudson
Matt Parton		08:22:5221-Sep-20Rockpool Taran 18

CCWYes
5Team_SkiChloe Bunnett
Ivan Lawler
Peter Molnar		08:36:24 18-Aug-10Epic V10L
Epic V10L

CCWYesNews
6TeamAndy Hiscock
Martin Scott		09:24:0014-Jun-10Valley Avocet RM

CCWYes
7TeamRich Holt
Matt Parton		09:42:4018-May-18SKUK Romany Surf

CCWYes
8K2Richie Couzens /
Hari Budha Magar		10:25:5911-Jun-16

CCW--Website
9TeamFred Curtin-Sewell
Phil Smith		10:25:3819-Apr-22Valley Nordkapp
Perception Essence 17
CCWYes
10TeamVictor Copeland
Vivien Nicholls		11:10:0013-Jul-13P+H Bahiya

CCW--
11TeamRich Holt
Matt Parton		11:27:0002-Apr-17SKUK Romany Surf

CCW--
12TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt		11:30:0222-Jan-22
Valley Nordkapp
CCWYes
13TeamJames Forward
Julian Haines		11:42:1502-Apr-17Nordkapp Jubilee M

CCWYesImages
14TeamJon Needham
Dave Phillips		11:46:0027-Aug-16Valley Aquanaut RM

CCW--
15K2Andy Morton /
Jane Morton		11:50:0002-Mar-13

CCW--Website
16TeamBen Cowans
Phil Smith		11:54:3902-May-22Perception Essence 17
Perception Essence 17
CCWYes
17TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt		11:56:1129-Jul-22
Valley Nordkapp
CCWYes
18TeamRhys Hunt
Paul Barrett		12:16:5313-Jan-24Valley Nordkapp

CCWYes
19Team_SkiChris Buckton
Barry Robson
Ian Smith		12:22:45 16-May-14Stealth Splash 550
Epic V6

CCWYesBlog
20TeamPhil Smith
Simon Waller		12:23:1311-Aug-21Perception Essence 17
Rockpool GT
CCWYes
21TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt		12:29:2010-Dec-22
Valley Nordkapp
CCWYes
22TeamPhil Smith
Peter Miller
Andy Ironside		13:08:2815-Sep-23


CCWYes
23TeamClaire Cheong-Leen
Simon Edwards		13:50:0017-Apr-10Rockpool Alaw

CCW--Article
24TeamRhys Hunt
Neil Lutas		14:59:4408-Apr-21Valley Nordkapp

CCWYes
25TeamRoy Beal15:33:1224-Aug-21YakaYak Fulmar (Ply)
CCWYes
26TeamGraham Beckram
Roger Hiley
Roger Wiltshire
M. Scott		17:30:0019-Jun-04P+H Bahiya



CCW--
27TeamPhil Smith
Ben Cowans		20:57:5507-Aug-21Perception Essence 17

CCWYes
28TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt
_ unnamed group		3 days28-Aug-22
Valley Nordkapp

CCWYes

28 Teams -- 61 Paddlers

Notes

John Aberdein (09-Sep-80)
Though it was eventually overhauled, John's record should be noted for the its long standing reign. To this day, over 30 years later, it is still an impressively quick time.
Simon Alderdice / Joe Langham (18-Oct-20)
The fastest Team time, 1hr clear of the next nearest.
Paul Barrett / Rhys Hunt / _ unnamed group (28-Aug-22)
Leading a multi-day group trip
Paul Barrett / Rhys Hunt (10-Dec-22)
From Rhys: "...it was a rather brisk -6 degrees when we set off!"
Roy Beal (24-Aug-21)
From Roy: "I did the Isle of Wight in August. It wasn't fast as I was escorting swimmer Oly Rush, but I did sit in my Fulmar for over 15 hours straight (the official time of the swim was 15hrs and 9 minutes). We left Seaview at just after 11 am on 23/08/21, made good use of the tides, finishing back at Seaview at about 02.15 on the 24th. Oly set a new world record with that time, smashing the existing record by over 9 hours. We had a safety boat and other kayakers helping out but, as a personal challenge and because Oly is my best mate, I didn't leave his side other than to use my wee bottle! The tides were great, we flew out of the Hurst race at about 12km/h - not bad considering we were at the swimmer's pace."
Glyn Brackenbury (05-Jan-13)
From Glyn: "I hadn't considered entering a time as I was just trying out some stuff, I should of tried harder!"
Chloe Bunnett / Ivan Lawler / Peter Molnar (18-Aug-10)
An excellent time from Chloe, Ivan and Peter. From Ivan: "We were very lucky with tides and weather but am pretty sure it could be done in around 7 hrs if you pushed on a bit." - bearing in mind that Ivan holds 6 World Championship titles this is not a suggestion to be taken lightly! Undertaken on skis.
Richie Couzens / Hari Budha Magar (11-Jun-16)
Paddled as part of an escorted team K2 attempt. From the Pilgrim Bandits Blog: "The weather was perfect on Saturday. The record of 10 hours 25 mins was set by ex-Ghurkha Hari Budha Magar, a double leg amputee partnered in his kayak by veteran Richie Couzens. Jimmy (Wilson) and Tyler (Christopher) and their partners came close behind."
James Doherty (27-Apr-21)
James' 3rd lap in 6 months, 1hr faster each time.
Mike Ellicock (02-Sep-23)
Our first IOW circumnav recorded for a rowing boat, a successful lap by Mike Ellicock as he prepares for a 2025 GB Circumnav.
Andy Hiscock / Martin Scott (14-Jun-10)
A fast time from Andy and Martin, though Martin thinks he can beat it with better weather.
Rhys Hunt (27-Apr-21)
This is the 4th lap of the IOW for Rhys so far in 2021
Michal Madera (31-Dec-10)
Michal's attempt was undertaken on the last day of the year; winter times are always hard to make quick - temperature, weather and short daylight hours make life more difficult.
Michal Madera (27-May-21)
Lap 1 of 2 laps within 24 hrs.
Michal Madera (28-May-21)
Michal completes 2 laps of the IOW within 24hrs with this one.
Petr Major (11-Aug-21)
Petr paddled this lap of the IOW on a ski he designed and built himself.
Peter Mansell (16-Apr-10)
From Peter: “This section was more mentally and physically demanding, trying to stay alert, avoid rocks and not drift too far out where the tide race might form. At 1am when I reached Sandown Bay I just wanted to land”. Peter also raised funds for the Martin Booth Memorial Fund, which aims to build a new clubhouse at Basingstoke and Deane Canoe Club.
Andy Morton / Jane Morton (02-Mar-13)
Andy and Jane paddled this trip as part of their preparation for their 2013 UK Circumnavigation attempt.
Richi Oliver (21-Sep-13)
This is Richi's 4th Circumnavigation of the I.O.W; using a new route and paddling his new Stealth Splash 550 he knocked 2 hrs off his previous best time. From Richi:" Having completed the IOW circumnavigation 3 times previously in a 15ft plastic fishing kayak and managed a quickest time of 13hrs 25 minutes the arrival of a new 5.5metre fibreglass boat and it's extra speed soon gave a new lease of life to my paddling and I felt I could better my time considerably. I didn't get the best build up to the challenge this year losing important training time through a back injury,to be honest I got more rest in than I did training. I had began all previous attempts from the mainland launching at Sowley,Lepe and Calshot but this time I wanted to try something very different and took the ferry from Southampton to Cowes and drove to Bembridge to launch at the lifeboat station. I called in my trip to Solent Coastguard and for once I was ready and prepped well before my set off time,the minutes were clicking away. 2330 and time to set off. I only saw two boats during my trip to Cowes,a small container ship and a small motor vessel. It was great paddling along in the twilight of the full moon with my points to head for easy to spot,as I approached Cowes the increase in tidal flow was noticeable and it seemed the Cowes Yarmouth stretch was soon over,in fact I got to the Needles before my expected time and suffered on the Needles to St.Catherines leg(I always find this stretch the hardest). As I approached St.Catherines so daylight approached and with it my second wind.I did from St.Catherines to Ventnor in an hour. And then from Ventnor back to Bembridge in an hour 40 I know I can take an hour of this and will be going again for sure,but I think my 5th time will be my last then I'll be looking at other challenges." We like that Richi reckons he still has an hour that he can shave off and that after his 5th circumavigation he'll be looking for new challenges - nice one.
Phil Smith / Peter Miller / Andy Ironside (15-Sep-23)
From Phil:
"Today was a special day for me. I was able to take 2 of my staff team around the Isle of Wight! They have been with us for just 2 seasons and have developed both skills and qualifications whilst working with us. It’s one of the best feelings as a coach, mentor and employer to see people develop the way that Peter and Andy have.
Peter Miller completed the IOW, 100k challenge and went around St Anthony Rock. Andy Ironside completed the IOW circumnavigation in fine style!
I completed the IOW, 100k challenge, plus a cheeky lap of Goose Rock (Needles Lighthouse), St Anthony Rock (near the Needles), and the Cowes Breakwater (as I’ve seen that listed as an Island), because small islands need some love too!
PSK Note: Phil's Cowes Breakwater comment refers to the PSK 1000 Islands Challenge.
Rob Tew (04-Sep-12)
Rob is also planning a UK Circumnavigation attempt for 2013, paddling with Rachel Cooper.
Tim Wiggins (27-Jul-19)
Escort Boat

Summary:

Circumnavigation: Isle of Wight

Solo paddlers: 43
Team paddlers: 61
Teams: 28

Recorded Start Points:
    • Alum Bay (2)
    • Bembridge (4)
    • Brambles Chine (1)
    • Browndown Point (1)
    • Calshot Slip (1)
    • Calshot Spit (1)
    • Colwell Bay (5)
    • East Cowes (1)
    • East Haven (1)
    • Egypt Point (1)
    • Fishbourne (1)
    • Freshwater Bay (3)
    • Hatherwood Point (1)
    • Hurst Castle (3)
    • Hurst Point (6)
    • Keyhaven (3)
    • Lee-on-Solent (1)
    • Lepe Country Park (2)
    • Milford on Sea (6)
    • Milford-On-Sea (2)
    • Seaview (1)
    • Stansore Point (1)
    • Stokes Bay (2)
    • The Needles (19)
    • Totland (1)
    • xxx (1)

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