Posts Tagged ‘The Blue Climate and Oceans Project’

Blog action day

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Today, October 15, is the annual Blog Action Day, a day that unites the world’s bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day with the aim of sparking discussion around an issue of global importance. This year’s topic is Climate Change. Blog Action Day 2009 will be one of the largest-ever social change events on the web.

I believe that through education and experience of the natural environment, we can grow a community that loves and cares for the environment. Through this experience, we will change how the communities look at the world around them and learn how to live in a more sustainable manner. Every little action and choice that we make can make a difference and contribute to a global effort, that is needed to slow down the impact we are making on climate change. Just by cycling into work at least once a week means that I now feel healthier – both in myself and for the environment. By choosing groceries with less packaging has reduced our household waste. By being more a little more conscious of our water usage has reduced our bills and our garden is happier for it. All of these are easy-to-do, every day actions that require so little effort, and that’s all we need to do… make more of an effort.

I am passionate and love our ‘BLUE’ environment and so through The Blue Climate and Ocean Project (www.theblueproject.org) and the launch of the new mass-participation event, The Blue Mile, am hoping that by encouraging more people to enjoy our blue environment, they will be encouraged and hopefully inspired to care for it.

Conrad Humphreys

Blog Update

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

09.10.09 – After the intense racing during the Archipelago Raid in Sweden, I managed to take a week off and had a relaxing time back at home in Devon. It was great to be back and enjoy the local beaches and catch up with my family.

I’ve since been busy with continuing work on The Blue Mile (www.thebluemile.org), which will take place July 2010 in Plymouth. We have had an enormous amount of enthusiasm about the mass-participation event, from every corner of the planet from Hawaii, to Australia as well as nationally and locally and will soon be formally taking entries via our website.

I’ve also been working in collaboration with the Global Sports Alliance who has published a new book called “Champions for Change: Athletes Making a World of Difference”. Along with five of our Ambassadors for The Blue Climate and Oceans Project (www.theblueproject.org), I feel privileged to have been asked to be one of the 38 athletes to contribute towards this book which includes three-times Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, four Olympic Gold Medallist sprinter Michael Johnson, world-record breaking long-distance runner Haile Gebrselassie, and surfer Jack Johnson amongst other athletes. The book is due to be launched on 4th November at the United Nations in New York.

More locally, I am pleased to be invited as the special guest for the Jubilee Sailing Trust’s (JST) Charity Black Tie Ball to be held at the New Continental Hotel on Saturday 24th October. The JST is a charity which aims to integrate able-bodied and disabled people through sailing their two magnificent tall-ships, Lord Nelson and Tenacious. If you are interested in getting togged up, having a three-course dinner and dancing the night away in support of the charity, please contact Alan Puddicombe the Secretary of the JST Plymouth branch for more details (01752 862868 or email thepuds@toucansurf.com).

The following weekend (30th October-1st November) The Drake Foundation (www.drakefoundation.co.uk)  is organising an event with one of our Blue Project Ambassadors, Antony Jinman. The challenge is to “virtually ski” 600 miles to the North Pole in just three days and this will be taking place in the Drake Circus Shopping Mall, Plymouth, using three cross-trainers provided by Nuffield Gym. Antony will be helping the Drake Foundation to raise funds for the Plymouth community and volunteer groups – so do come along to show your support, see Antony’s great photos and video footage and ask him questions about his polar expeditions. Everyone can take part and can “ski” alongside Antony in teams of six. There will be also be prizes provided by Cotswold Outdoor. For more information contact The Drake Foundation on 01752 764455 or email drakefroundation@gmail.com

We hope to see you there!

Conrad

Down but not out

Friday, August 21st, 2009

Today was without question the toughest day for me personally. The course was set back in the Swedish Archielago and involved six checkpoints, scattered about hidden in small beaches and narrow gullies.

We got off well and by the third checkpoint we were up to 4th and going fast. We were sailing downwind in the gusty conditions following Will Sunnucks and Eric Proust when suddenly a rock appeared under the water and we smashed both daggerboards.

Ryan was flung around the forestay slamming his knee against the hull. The boat survived but both daggerboards were in pieces. We carried on to wards the next checkpoint and tried to tape the flailing carbon skins together to effect a repair.

We arrived at the finish in 9th andset about relaminating one of the boards. We only had a two hour pitstop, to eat, rest and rebuild the boards.

I was ony knees, tired, hungry and feeling like the race was beating me. It’s un- understatement to say this race is hard. Everything aches, hands are covered in blisters, arms and legs are stiff and you a contantly feeling like you need more calories.

With no rest your off again for another 100 mile leg. Somehow you dig deep enough to find the strength. Ryan and I have eaten 5000 calories today and still need more food

And sleep…..

Final day tomorrow back to Stockholm. A top ten finish is on the cards, assuming we get through the day without hitting another rock at high speed.

Cheers
Conrad

Leg position: 9th
Top Speed: 22knts
Blue Miles covered: 100+

A big mission

Friday, August 21st, 2009

British team Conrad Humphreys and team mate Ryan Crawford look healthy but worn after five days of racing when we meet them in Sandhamn of the finish of leg 2, day 5 in the Archipelago Raid. They are just mending their jib halyard that broke earlier today. Not the only thing that broke. Two dagger boards went in two pieces when they hit a rock. Fixing the damages is not their main mission, though. Humphreys explain why they are in this race: “In a nutshell – it is about engaging people in our natural environment, using sports”, he says. Many people today are not aware of what the nature can offer them or how to treat it. The reason for the Blue project to take interest and promote the Archipelago Raid is because it is an environmental friendly and sustainable race. The best example of that is that each team sail without using power, just sails. Each team bring onboard just what they need for five days of racing, food, spares and tents to sleep in. “- We are not allowed to get outside assistance so we have to be happy with what we got – and we are”, says Conrad. Conrad Humphreys is a professional sailor that used to sail full time, one of the youngest persons to have competed in the Whitbread at age 19. Nowadays he is heavily involved in promoting the Blue project through different sports events. Conrad continues “- In a planet where we have limited resources, the Archipelago Raid is like a micro cosmos of that and that is what the Blue Project tries to promote. To try and get people to understand to be content with what they have got”. For more information about the Blue Project visit www.blueproject.org

Date: 2009-08-21 21:00:00

Taken from www.thearchipelagoraid.com

This is the raid!

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Downwind start at 05:10 in the morning in good windspeed and the F18 flying over the waves: that’s the raid. Team Blue made the best start off Ekerö on the right side of the line near the Comitee boat, closely followed by Audi and Garmin. Audio Network and the Nieminen Brothers onboard Ursuit made it right with good speed. Further right Swe 43 reached tremendous speed. While most of the fleet was flying in 20 knots, the Finnish-Kiwi boat Bohica was unfortunately dismasted in the middle of the course, but managed to get back on track. A few minutes later Audi capzized and lost the gains they made on the start.
At the first 3 minutes Check Point on Degersand beach Garmin took the lead, followed by Thule, Audio Network, Blue Marine and Swe 43. The 3 minutes checkpoint is nerve breaking for the sailors who have to stop for only 180 seconds before running back to their catamarans.

Date: 2009-08-19 06:03:38