Coastguard volunteers to take on ‘Scilly Challenge’ world record attempt

Two volunteers with Falmouth Coastguard are raising money for Cornwall Air Ambulance, by taking on a rather different world record attempt.

Alex and Charlie will be riding an inflatable towable sofa towed by a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) from Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly, covering 69 miles in around five hours. And they are going for a Guinness World Record for the farthest distance towed on a towable!

A world record attempt with a difference

The inflatable is a three-seater sofa with handles for them to hold onto, and as well as the RIB they’ll be joined by two further support boats.

The pair have been training in all weather conditions with lots of route planning and plotting for the event, taking into consideration the currents, tides, swells, sea conditions and wind conditions.

Charlie, who is a Police Officer at Falmouth Docks, said: “Being part of a great team is where this idea stemmed from. We had been out on the water on a nice sunny summer’s day and thought why not try it. All great ideas start in the pub, so that is where it started from, and we thought why not raise some money for Cornwall Air Ambulance. We work alongside them in the Coastguard and see how vital they are, not just for the mainland but for the Scillies as well.”

They aim to take on the challenge in early June, whenever the sea conditions allow.

‘First-hand we see how vital it is’

Alex, who is a recruitment consultant, said: “We thought why not double it up and see if a record exists, there isn’t one, so we applied and thought we’d give it a crack. So we’re ready to take on the challenge and hopefully set a world record whilst raising vital funds.

“Growing up here you realise the air ambulance is such a vital part of the community and emergency infrastructure in Cornwall, time is everything in those situations and having a second helicopter will make a huge difference. The fact that we both are volunteers for the Coastguard, if it’s not Rescue 924 helping out it’s Cornwall Air Ambulance and first-hand we can see how vital it is, how quick they are on scene and dealing with those really poorly people. It was always going to be our number one choice.”

You can support their fundraising here: Scilly Challenge is fundraising for Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust

The event is being sponsored by Jobe Watersports.