Avove Executive Leadership Team Complete Kayak Challenge for Charity Partners
Avove ELT’s Charity Kayak Challenge for Mind and Maggies
On Saturday 26 July our Executive Leadership team completed their 14km kayak challenge across Lake Ullswater to raise vital funds for our charity partners, Mind and Maggie’s. Avove General Counsel, David Holmes shares the highs, the hilarity, and the heroic efforts that made it such a success.
The ELT Kayak Challenge: Paddles, Pride and a Splash of Chaos
At last, the morning had arrived. The briefings and emails were behind us. It was now the Executive Leadership Team versus Ullswater – and, as it turned out, versus each other.
There was a nervous energy in the air, as we gathered by the lake. The team exchanged some brave banter, but it was clear that this was well outside the comfort zone for most of us. Still, spirits were high, and the competitive glint in everyone’s eyes said it all.
After some hilarity involving awkward boat entries and Darren taking an early dip, we were off. Rafted in teams of four, we had Mark, Patrick, Stephen and Becky in one boat and Darren, Jeff, Sandy and I in the other.
Team 1 spent a fair bit of time spinning in circles, until Captain Mark (who admitted to owning a canoe that’s mostly decorative in his garden) managed to rally the crew into some kind of rhythm. Slowly, but surely, they began to gain on Team 2.
Once both teams had figured out how to go in a straight line, it became clear that this wasn’t just a paddle in the park; it was a full-on race.
The weather, which had threatened squalls and a force four gale, held off, until we rounded the dogleg in the lake. Then came the headwind. It was like paddling through treacle. We had to dig deep.
Captain Darren kept the beat for Team 2 and the race tightened. There was even a moment of pure joy, as I got to splash our Executive Chair, Mark, who – it must be said – started the battle. I haven’t received the P45 (yet!).
As we neared the finish line, Team 2 edged ahead and passed the marker buoys first. However, a steward’s enquiry revealed that they hadn’t quite gone between the buoys. However, since that wasn’t part of the official rules, we called it a draw. Both teams were fearless, and we were told that the only boats to have beaten our time were those of the Royal Marines.
The Real Winners: Our Charity Partners
In truth, the real winners were our chosen charities, Mind and Maggie’s, and everyone who took part. It was a brilliant day, full of laughter, teamwork and just the right amount of chaos. Everyone rose to the challenge, and we all came away with sore arms, big smiles and a shared sense of achievement.
A huge thank you to everyone who sent good wishes, supported us, and sponsored the event. Your generosity and encouragement made a real difference, and helped power us through every paddle stroke.
If you haven’t yet made a donation and would like to, don’t worry you haven’t yet missed the boat! You can still sponsor the team at the Mind or Maggie’s JustGiving pages.