We meet the people for whom being on the water is a way of life. From sailing to cruise ships, power boating, windsurfing, canoeing and more this podcast has something for you.
Celebrating the Cowes to Torquay powerboat race, which first ran in 1961.
On this edition, skipper Graeme Henry takes us for a tour on board the famous yacht Stormvogel before she took part in the 2021 Fastnet Race Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On August 6th 1971 Chay Blyth sailed into Hamble having completed the ‘impossible' voyage. He completed a circumnavigation of the globe, travelling west against the prevailing winds in 292 days on board British Steel. 50 years on Sir Chay reflects on that voyage, why he did it and has some advice for those planning their own epic adventure. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
After the Covid pandemic caused the cancellation in 2020, Cowes Week, the world's most famous sailing regatta returned for its 195th edition. On this podcast, regatta director Laurence Mead explains how the Royal Yacht Squadron in intrinsic to the event, how the Royal family's Drago class yacht Bluebottle has been restored, Pip Hare has advice for the students from the Greig Academy and why a Royal Navy minesweeper has been in The Solent. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
They're great fun but not everyone's a fan. Responsible users of personal watercraft are saying that a minority of users are giving the rest of them a bad name. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Lymington RNLI is urging water users to label their kit in a bid to stop unnecessary call outs. Abandoned dinghies, kite and wind surfing gear have all triggered searches only for the owners to be found alive and well in a local pub or at home. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
After 500 years in London, Arthur Beale has become the first chandlery to open in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. MD Hugh Taylor talks about the brand's history and Hannah Prowse from Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust reveals how the partnership came about. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
The Friends of MV Freedom which is based in Weymouth, provide access to the sea for people living with disability. Their trips can change people's lives. Volunteer skipper Dirk Aldous talks about the history of the charity, their brand new vessel and their Queens Award for Voluntary Service. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
After the first ever peace time cancellation, the world famous Round the Island Race is back for 2021 and it's 90th anniversary edition. For the thousands taking part in the race around the Isle of Wight, they will be in the biggest participation event to be held in the UK since before March 2020. The Island Sailing Club's Dave Atkinson is the race organiser. He talks about the legacy of the race, the dangers of relying on technology and the challenges of organising a huge event in uncertain times. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, UKSA CEO Ben Willows talks about the importance of the UK Sailing Academy to the maritime industry and to the Isle of Wight's youngsters. How world class and record-breaking sailors use their facilities alongside primary schools. And how their new sea.change initiative is designed to encourage teenagers into maritime careers. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, the founder of the charity Wetwheels Geoff Holt MBE talks about the first decade of the project that offers a unique opportunity for disabled and disadvantaged people of all ages - including those with multiple, profound and complex impairments - to access the water. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Association Of Sail Training Organisations chair Mark Todd talks about the impact of sail training on those who take part. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Christopher Waddington, chief instructor at Southampton Sailing Club talks about the club's history, its enviable location and post Covid plans. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition we hear from Simon Collyer who’s set up an initiative exploring sailing wellness. Simon talks about his project and how sailors from the Olympics and Paralympics are involved. And he talks about growing up sailing off the Essex coast.
On this edition we’re hearing about 2 of the most historic vessels ever to set sail from Portsmouth. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has spent the last year updating the visitor experiences at HMS Victory and at the Mary Rose museum, and we’ve been to have a look. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, hear from people living with multiple sclerosis who have taken part in a sailing day organised by the charity Oceans of Hope UK. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, we’re by the waterside in an historic New Forest boat building site. The Honourable Mary Montagu-Scott DL talks about the history and present day of Buckler’s Hard. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
The Royal Southern Yacht Club’s rear commodore sailing and flag officer Paul Ward talks about the challenges of running a programme during and after the pandemic, and the positives of lockdown. Also the J/ classes, the club’s youth programme and having HRH Prince Phillip as club patron. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
With 2 two bravery awards and an MBE to his name, Peter Huxtable has recently hung up his wellies and handed back his RNLI pager, after an amazing 51 years service. Described by his colleagues as a ‘legend’, Peter is credited with saving 449 lives in the years since he first joined up with the Shoreham lifeboat. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, we hear from the MOD70 owner and its skipper after they smashed the record for the Fastnet course. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
In February 2021, Poole based sailor Pip Hare crossed the finish line of the Vendee Globe, having completed the world’s toughest race. BBC Radio Solent has followed Pip in her quest for this goal for 10 years. Steve Harris narrates a special programme telling her story and the story of the race she almost didn’t finish. Music content edited for compliance.
Outgoing Cowes harbour master Captain Stuart McIntosh talks about his lifelong love of the water, serving on Donald Trump’s superyacht and the role of the harbour master in Cowes. Podcast produced and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, the dream is over for Portsmouth based INEOS Team UK who have lost out to the Italian Luna Rossa team in the Prada Cup. A win on day 3 wasn’t enough for Sir Ben Ainslie’s team who lost the America’s Cup Challenger series 7-1. This is a round up of day 4 of the Prada Cup final in New Zealand. Podcast compiled using material provided by Americas Cup and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, day 3 of the Prada Cup final in New Zealand. Podcast compiled using material provided by Americas Cup and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, day 2 of the Prada Cup final in New Zealand. Podcast compiled using material provided by Americas Cup and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, day 1 of the Prada Cup final in New Zealand. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley using material provided by Americas Cup and Sea View Yacht Club. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk.
She’s done it! 95 days 11 hours, 37 and a half minutes after leaving Les Sables-d'Olonne, Pip Hare has crossed the finish line in the Vendee Globe. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
2000 miles from home in the Vendee Globe, Pip Hare celebrates her birthday with a little help from some familiar voices. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, Sir Ben Ainslie reflects on INEOS Team UK’s America’s Cup campaign so far. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Tributes have been paid to Bob Fisher, the Yachting Journalist known as “Mr America’s Cup”, who has died at the age of 85 at his home in Lymington. Bob was himself a world champion sailor, and record-breaking navigator... Close friend Sir Robin Knox Johnston was among those to acknowledge Bob's contributions to the sport, adding Bob was "A great character and a great loss." Dee Caffari MBE said he was "A true legend who will be missed around the globe." and Sir Ben Ainslie paid tribute to Bob from his training base in New Zealand. Bob was a great friend to the team that worked on the H2O project particularly when the America's Cup contest was on, reporting from wherever the races were for us. In 2015 though, just days before the America's Cup World Series started in Portsmouth, I visited Bob in his home just outside Lymington. We talked about growing up in Essex and when he first took to the water, the little America's Cup, Howards Way and of course the America's Cup and what it means to him. Here's the full version of that chat that was first broadcast on July 19th 2015. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, Prada Cup Round Robin 3 Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley using material supplied by America’s Cup. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Capsize drama and another win for INEOS TEAM UK in the Prada Cup. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley using material supplied by America’s Cup. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
3 wins out of 3 for INEOS TEAM UK in the Prada Cup. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley with material supplied by Americas Cup. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
A textbook start for Ineos Team UK in New Zealand, Eilidh McIntyre’s perfect storm of Covid and Brexit and Pip Hare passes Cape Horn in the Vendee Globe. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition Pip Hare in conversation from the Southern Ocean as she passes the half way mark of her Vendee Globe race. There’s a new series of BBC Two’s Saving Lives At Sea and some good news for the powerboat community in Cowes. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this mini edition we hear from sailors Alex Thompson and Pip Hare as they make final preparations for the 2020 Vendee Globe. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition: the RYA’s youth regattas are back, a tragedy on Southampton Water, a cut down boat show in Southampton and the last surviving D-Day landing craft is moved to Southsea seafront. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this episode, Sir Ben Ainslie CBE and Giles Scott MBE talk about Ineos Team UK’s campaign to bring the America’s Cup home. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition the world famous Round the Island Race is cancelled and a group of sailors foil across the channel. With no Cowes Week, how have Isle of Wight sailing clubs fared, a sailor thinks berthing fees should be reduced for lockdown and visitors to HMS Victory get a unique view. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this episode applications open for the RYA Keelboat Academy and Southampton Water Sailing Association rescue their summer programme. Natasha Lambert’s next challenge, a solo circumnavigator comes home and there’s a celebration of Cowes Week in poetry. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, Team GB sailors Eilidh McIntyre and Ali Young talk about how they’re feeling, considering they thought they’d be in Tokyo right now. RORC tell us about an event that IS happening, and some tips for those planning post covid cruise holiday. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine talks about the Summer on the Water campaign and Geoff Holt MBE DL tells us what shielding for 3 months has been like. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Blind sailor Kate Healey talks about her passion for being on the water. Pip Hare looks forward to the Vendee Globe, the esailing champion talks about the series and we visit the RNLI training centre in Poole. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Round the world sailor Alex Thomson is back on the water as he picks up his pre Vendee Globe training regime. Also, 14 year old Will Sears who was told he’d never sail again competes in a world championship, a team of rowers aiming for a round Britain record and Team GB sailors help deliver vital medicines across Dorset Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
GAFIRS, the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service are looking for new members, we hear from their new coxswain James Baggott. Also a catch up with Jack Trigger, the youngest sailor to finish the 2018 Route du Rhum. We find out how me manages his diabetes whilst sailor offshore. And members of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes mark HRH Prince Philip’s 99th birthday. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
Cowes Week 2020 is cancelled and paraplegic sailor Geoff Holt MBE DL has a stark warning for those thinking of jumping into the water from height. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
A possible salvage operation at Titanic, training for the 2020 Atlantic Row, tough times for the National Museum of the Royal Navy and a Dorset bay welcomes the cruise ships. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
The RYA and RNLI react to the news of the lifting of restrictions on water sports, allowing sailing clubs and marinas to re-open. Plus the impact on the loss of cruising, Sir Ben Ainslie on being locked down and the man who hitched a ride on a former Volvo Ocean Race boat. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition, the RYA launch its training webinars and some of the south’s sailing clubs have been recording their lockdown diaries. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
The RYA tell us about E sailing and an Isle of Wight sailor tells us she’s desperate to return home. Plus a small sailing club and a sail training firm tell us how they’re making the best of the lockdown. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
On this edition how a New Forest sailmaker is making protective bags for medical staff dealing with coronavirus patients and is using its factory machinery to help local volunteers make scrubs quickly. Plus relief for the British Olympic sailing squad due to go to Tokyo but uncertainty over funding and a Dorset family sail home after trying to start a new life in South America. Podcast compiled and presented by Neil Sackley. email: h2o@bbc.co.uk
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