Circumnavigation:
Isle of Wight

Route Distance: ~48 nm / 88.9 km
Prevailing direction: CCW
Record: 2023 - 06:28:31
Solo: 45
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

Click column header to sort.
Posn.CatPaddlerElapsedDateBoatTideDirNoteVerifiedLink1
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
5TeamRhys Hunt
Giles Hudson		07:23:5002-Oct-23Valley Nordkapp
Rockpool Taran 18
9.6CCWYes
6TeamSimon Alderdice
Joe Langham		07:25:4118-Oct-20Rockpool Taran 18

CCWYes
7K1MRhys Hunt07:31:2530-Mar-21Valley Nordkapp
10.0CCWYes
8K1MRhys Hunt07:31:5027-Apr-21Valley Nordkapp
9.9CCWYes
9TeamRhys Hunt
Giles Hudson		07:39:3414-Jun-22Valley Nordkapp
Rockpool Taran 16
9.3CCWYes
10K1MGiles Hudson07:50:5708-Oct-21Rockpool Taran 18
9.8CCWYes
11K1MMichal Madera07:57:1027-May-21Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.7CCWYes
12K1MBrendan Reese07:59:0028-Jul-11Nelo Inuk
8.4CCWYesPhotos
13K1MMike Conroy08:10:5111-Sep-22Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.6CCWYes
14K1MMartin Scott08:21:0030-Aug-11Epic 18x
9.8CCWYes
15K1MVictor Copeland08:22:1422-Sep-13P+H Bahiya
9.4CCW--
16TeamGiles Hudson
Matt Parton		08:22:5221-Sep-20Rockpool Taran 18

CCWYes
17K1MMichal Madera08:25:5722-Jul-20Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.2CCWYes
18K1MRhys Hunt08:30:5815-Jan-21Valley Nordkapp
9.5CCWYes
19Team_SkiChloe Bunnett
Ivan Lawler
Peter Molnar		08:36:24 18-Aug-10Epic V10L
Epic V10L

CCWYesNews
20K1MDan Sandham08:53:4913-Aug-22Rockpool Taran 18
9.5CCWYes
21K1MJames Doherty08:56:3605-Nov-21Rockpool Taran 18
9.8CCWYes
22K1MSimon Palmer08:58:4311-Sep-22Rockpool Alaw Bach
9.6CCWYes
23K1MVictor Copeland09:00:00Jul-13P+H Bahiya
CCW--
24K1MJames Doherty09:02:0727-Apr-21Rockpool Taran 18
9.9CCWYes
25K1MJon Needham09:18:0921-Jul-22Rockpool Taran 18
8.2CCWYes
26K1MSimon Turnbull09:22:1016-Jul-22Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.3CCWYesBlog
27TeamAndy Hiscock
Martin Scott		09:24:0014-Jun-10Valley Avocet RM

CCWYes
28K1MAndy Hiscock09:27:0013-Sep-14Epic 18
CCWYes
29K1MMark Rainsley09:28:0031-May-14Zegul Velocity
CCW--Blog
30Row_CCM1Mike Ellicock09:39:3502-Sep-23Angus Expedition Rowboat
9.8CCWYes
31TeamRich Holt
Matt Parton		09:42:4018-May-18SKUK Romany Surf

CCWYes
32K1MJohn Aberdein09:49:0009-Sep-80Valley Anas Acuta
CCW--Article
33K1MJon Needham09:51:2310-Jun-20Rockpool Taran 18
CCWYes
34K1MPhil Smith09:52:5430-Sep-23Perception Essence 17
9.9CCWYes
35K1MJames Doherty10:05:3916-Sep-20Cape_Falcon F1
CCWYesYouTube
36K1MSimon Margot10:06:1111-May-24
9.0CCWYes
37K1MGiles Hudson10:08:4706-Sep-20Rockpool Taran 18
CCWYes
38K1WSharon Miller10:20:0004-Jul-1987P+H Umnak
CCW--
39K1MSimon Palmer10:25:5527-Aug-22Rockpool Alaw Bach
8.8CCWYes
40K2Richie Couzens /
Hari Budha Magar		10:25:5911-Jun-16

CCW--Website
41TeamFred Curtin-Sewell
Phil Smith		10:25:3819-Apr-22Valley Nordkapp
Perception Essence 17
9.6CCWYes
42K1M_SkiPetr Major10:58:5811-Aug-21Petr_Major F9 ski
9.1CCWYes
43K1MJames Doherty11:02:1931-Aug-20Cape_Falcon F1
CWYesArticle
44K1MRob Tew11:03:2104-Sep-12Tiderace Xcite
CCWYes
45TeamVictor Copeland
Vivien Nicholls		11:10:0013-Jul-13P+H Bahiya

CCW--
46K1M_SkiRichi Oliver11:21:41 21-Sep-13Stealth Splash 550
CCW--
47TeamRich Holt
Matt Parton		11:27:0002-Apr-17SKUK Romany Surf

CCW--
48TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt		11:30:0222-Jan-22
Valley Nordkapp
CCWYes
49TeamJames Forward
Julian Haines		11:42:1502-Apr-17Nordkapp Jubilee M

CCWYesImages
50TeamJon Needham
Dave Phillips		11:46:0027-Aug-16Valley Aquanaut RM

CCW--
51K2Andy Morton /
Jane Morton		11:50:0002-Mar-13

CCW--Website
52K1MTim Wiggins11:53:0227-Jul-19Valley Etain RM
CW--Local News
53TeamBen Cowans
Phil Smith		11:54:3902-May-22Perception Essence 17
Perception Essence 17
9.1CCWYes
54K1MMichal Madera11:55:0031-Dec-10Plastex Sea Master
CCWYesPhotos
55TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt		11:56:1129-Jul-22
Valley Nordkapp
CCWYes
56K1MGlyn Brackenbury12:03:1405-Jan-13Mega Sovereign
CCWSailYes
57TeamRhys Hunt
Paul Barrett		12:16:5313-Jan-24Valley Nordkapp

9.7CCWYes
58K1MMichal Madera12:21:5428-May-21Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
9.6CCWYes
59Team_SkiChris Buckton
Barry Robson
Ian Smith		12:22:45 16-May-14Stealth Splash 550
Epic V6

CCWYesBlog
60TeamPhil Smith
Simon Waller		12:23:1311-Aug-21Perception Essence 17
Rockpool GT
CCWYes
61TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt		12:29:2010-Dec-22
Valley Nordkapp
8.9CCWYes
62K1WKate Duffus12:50:0017-Feb-10P+H Cetus LV
CCW--Blog
63TeamPhil Smith
Peter Miller
Andy Ironside		13:08:2815-Sep-23


9.0CCWYes
64TeamClaire Cheong-Leen
Simon Edwards		13:50:0017-Apr-10Rockpool Alaw

CCW--Article
65K1MChris Hitchings13:52:1815-Jul-22Ocean_Kayak Scupper Pro
9.3CCW--
66SUP_MPhilip Plume14:25:5213-Jul-19Fanatic Blitz 14'
CCWYesBlog
67TeamRhys Hunt
Neil Lutas		14:59:4408-Apr-21Valley Nordkapp

CCWYes
68TeamRoy Beal15:33:1224-Aug-21YakaYak Fulmar (Ply)
CCWYes
69TeamGraham Beckram
Roger Hiley
Roger Wiltshire
M. Scott		17:30:0019-Jun-04P+H Bahiya



CCW--
70TeamPhil Smith
Ben Cowans		20:57:5507-Aug-21Perception Essence 17

CCWYes
71K1MPeter Mansell23:00:0016-Apr-10
CCW--Website
72K1MMike Conroy28:59:4817-May-24Tiderace Pace 17 Tour
7.3CCWYes
73TeamPaul Barrett
Rhys Hunt
_ unnamed group		3 days28-Aug-22
Valley Nordkapp

CCWYes

Summary:

Circumnavigation: Isle of Wight
106 paddlers total completed 73 laps.
45 Solo paddlers
61 Team paddlers in 28 teams

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.
Mike Conroy (17-May-24)
An overnight trip that includes a paddle out to Nab Tower off Foreland
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
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 (7)
    • Keyhaven (4)
    • 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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