Hywel Poole sails Laser around Anglesey for charities

Hywel Poole 25, from Anglesey, who learnt to sail at Plas Menai as a youngster and went on to race Optimists and Lasers and become a sailing instructor at Plas Menai, has just sailed non-stop around the 76 miles of the island of Anglesey to raise money for the charities ‘Help for Heroes’ and ‘Toe in the Water’.

Hywel who also has a passion for flying, is an RAF pilot and he has just completed his advanced fast jet training in Hawks at RAF Valley.

On the Thursday 27th May, conditions were excellent, with a westerly 10-15 knots throughout. Hywel set off from Plas Menai in a Laser he borrowed from Welsh Yachting at 1100, one hour after high water. He then exited the Strait, negotiated Caernarfon Bar and then headed north west towards Rhoscolyn and the massive cliffs of South Stack and Gogarth near Holyhead.

After picking up the flood off Holyhead he sailed on around Carmel Head planing fast towards Point Lynas. Then it was the 13 mile leg to Puffin Island across Red Wharf Bay.

Turning the corner at Penmon Point, Hywel was back in the Menai Strait and it was 14 miles upwind along the Strait past Beaumaris and Bangor to reach Menai Bridge just before the tide started to ebb at about 2200.

Hywel then negotiated the tricky ‘Swellies’ then on under Britannia Bridge and past Nelson’s column. The ebb flattered Hywel’s sailing on the last leg and with tired legs he sailed swiftly on in the darkness past the twinkling lights of Port Dinorwic, landing back on the slipway at 2259. Hywel took 11 hours and 44 minutes to complete the circumnavigation and he was met by Alan Williams, Centre Manager, who gave Hywel his trolley when he landed and said it was ‘a job well done’.

Hywel was shadowed by one of Plas Menai’s RIB’s and driven by Matt and Wayne - thanks.

Earlier in the day, off Rhosneigr a helicopter from RAF Valley went to photograph Hywel, and the down draft caused Hywel to be thrown out of the boat [ which stayed upright!]. And Hywel was briefly accompanied by the Beaumaris Inshore Lifeboat, which was out training off Red Wharf Bay with ‘Trigger’ at the helm later on in the evening.

Hywel was inspired to take up the challenge after watching the BBC programme ‘wounded’, which followed injured soldiers through their rehabilitation at DMRC Headley Course. He said "The programme motivated me to organise a charity challenge to give something back to them, hopefully helping their adjustment to a new world where their body isn’t quite the same as it used to be"

"I wanted do something challenging, to honour the challenge they are going through and also something which would connect me to the charities I am raising money for, the charities ‘Help for Heroes’ and ‘Toe in the Water’."

Hywel is hoping to raise £2000 for the charities, if you would like to make a donation contact