Local man completes 36-mile paddle boarding trip across Irish Sea
CINCINNATI (WKRC) - A local man is back on U.S. soil after a daring trip across the Irish Sea on a paddle board.
Adrian Angell made the 36-mile trip from the Isle of Man to his childhood town of Seascale on England’s west coast to raise money for Diabetes UK.
He began his journey the morning of May 9 with a support boat in tow, and soon encountered waves.
“They were just high enough to be an annoyance,” said Angell.
An even greater obstacle was the unfavorable side winds.
Angell said it was "hard work just paddling on one side for five miles as the waves and wind was hitting from one side.”
At times, Angell says, thick fog made it impossible to see much. However, he was able to spot a basking shark.
“The support boat captain looked over and saw a fin and let us know that it was there,” he said.
Basking sharks are generally harmless to humans, but the same can’t be said for the large and colorful jellyfish Angell says he saw, as well.
“I was more concerned about the jellyfish than I was about the shark,” he said.
The entire journey took Angell eight hours and eight minutes. He took only four breaks, mostly for food and rest, but also for the occasional wardrobe change.
“I started out wearing a dry suit, which seemed appropriate for the conditions, but I soon started overheating, so I stopped and took that off,” said Angell.
By early afternoon, the shores of the English coast were beckoning and Angell arrived safely in Seascale.
“You get an extra piece of energy just from the excitement of finishing,” he said.
So far, Angell has raised more than $3,100. You can contribute here.
