Sports Development

Sports Development

Sport has the power to change people's lives and is a foundation stone in promoting physical and mental wellbeing for all of the community. Since 2009 the Friends of Maldives have actively supported wider participation in physical activity and youth sport.

Fantastic welcome in Thinadhoo

Fantastic welcome in Thinadhoo by Umar Jamaal the Minister for the Region, Maldivian Rowing Association, local teachers and school children and volunteer teachers from IVP. Have checked boat over, all ok. Will take out for trial later.

Local school is celebrating 26th anniversary with team watersports which we will be joining in! Will visit Thinadhoo hospital this evening and set off got Vadhoo tomorrow morning.

Guin and the Support Team

Guin at Heathrow

Guin at Heathrow - leaving for the Maldives.

It is only two days to go until the team leave for the Maldives.

"It is only two days to go until the team leave for the Maldives. All the details are falling into place. I have done my longest training run on the water, a delicate 5 hours of paddling in preparation for the 7 hours I am expecting the crossing will take. The only real discomfort was sore hands with blisters, a problem I have, as I spend all my day light hours in front of a computer or in meeting. Gone are the days of being a professional rower when i could use my hands to stop my bike wheels instead of the brake pads! My biggest challenge will be the heat, it is winter in the UK and the temperature is only just coming above freezing as the daffodils start to flower. Reports from Thinadoo mention the temperature topped out at 41C at the weekend. My local LA fitness Club have arranged for me to use the steam room and so i started my heat acclimatisation at the weekend. Fingers crossed it will work out ok. The big thing in the news here in the UK is the British Airways cabin crew strikes. The team are flying out with BA, but all reports indicate that the Maldives flights won't be affected, which is great news . Along with kit suppliers Crewroom, BA have been our biggest supporters. They are supporting the extra Expeditions safety baggage and of course my oars. BA are also the first official partners and it is such great news to have a company with so much standing to be backing the crossing. See you all soon"

Guin