HOW update

[lofty]

The following is from Simon Everett

, lifted from Anglers Afloat

I'm sorry but the photos won't share for some reason

 

 

 

At the Plymouth competition several people asked what was happening to HOW now that Paul has resigned (through medical reasons). For some reason people thought it would just collapse, but Heroes On the Water UK is not Paul, and neither is he (or anyone else) HOW. Heroes On the Water UK is alive and growing. We could do with more help, we could do with more resources, but with what we have at the moment we are doing good work - we have 7 new guys coming through at the moment. Those who went to Plymouth for the OK Classic will have seen them on the water taking part in the competetion. Two were on the leader board.

 

This weekend just gone was a busy one. I set off from home for Plymouth mid morning on Thursday, the car was full to the brim with charity stuff both for a day on the water with some of the guys fishing, and the stand stuff I have for the Crazy Casting that we take to big events as a fund raiser and to provide some fun and amusement for the children being dragged around!

 

Friday - on the water by 10.00 with Roch and Kris. Two of the new intake who are going through their CAST course, a program of progression to prepare them to be able ot be self sufficient and able ot go kayak fishing on their own, outside of HOW - just like Martin Payne did.

 

Getting ready to launch, deciding on rigs and tactics.

 

 

We paddled out and over to the reef to try and get Kris her first fish off the kayak. Several blanks so far, but enthusiasm not diminshed. Kris was a Royal Marine gunner, then became a medic, following the assualt troops in the front line - she was caught up in some pretty nasty stuff. The kayak fishing takes her mind off the harrowing visions she still gets.

 

 

A new set of Sabikis did the trick, she got a string of pollack to break that duck! The smile says everything you need to know.

 

 

We had lunch in a tiny cove on the eastern side of The Sound, one that is hidden away and only accessible from seaward by small boat. The rain started, but it was still a great spot to get the guys off their backsides and stretching what legs they have got and some rations down their necks.

 

 

The afternoon went well with a stiffening breeze meaning we had to be back in early, plus Roch had to get back in time for the school run. He was in 3 para and smashed himself up doing rainforest jumps in South America, where they jump into the rainforest canopy and have to crash through the trees hoping the chute will catch and break their fall......his pelvis was smashed and he lost his lower legs. he still wouldn't let me help me pull his kayak up the slip though!

 

 

Saturday was Armed Forces Day. We had to have the stand up on The Hoe by 07.30 and spent the next hour or so putting it together and getting ready for the influx of visitors. The Crazy Casting provides a bit of fun for the children while the adults can find out about the work we do. We met several useful contacts from various places who work with guys in need of help - and several families who have had very little information or guidance after their trauma and during medical rehabilitation. We are able to provide links with an entire network of help, in addition to providing the stress free program of kayak fishing that has proved (scientifically proved) to be so beneficial. A worthwhile effort.

 

 

 

 

Sunday - I was back on the water providing the Kayak Fishing Safety and Skills Course for four new guys. Thanks to FLADEN for supporting these safety courses with goody bags for each participant.

 

 

Monday - I took the long road home and squared everything away - 568 miles round trip for the weekend.

 

Tuesday morning (up to now) sorting the pictures and doing the bit of publicity of what we were doing over the weekend to keep people aware of what HEROES ON THE WATER UK is up to.

 

Please, keep your support going, we might not have the best PR and news stream in the world, because there is only so much I can do. MAYBE, some of you will step forward and come and help with some of this stuff. We could do with more helpers and people who are good at things. We also need the fund raising efforts that so many of you do, not just fishing comps either....curry nights, coffee mornings, boot sales, tackle sales, donations, buy a hat and T-shirt or car sticker, help promote amongst your town.

 

We are very grateful for every bit of help and support we can get, but being quite heavily loaded on the practical side of things, we are not good at letting you all know just how much we are doing. Hopefully, you can see we are still hard at it.