Steve Webb is planning to walk the entire new Wales Coastal Path this summer - here's why...
Another Long Walk...
This summer I’ve decided to tackle all 870 miles of the new Wales Coast Path from Chepstow in the south to Chester in the north. The decision was made after a long post-walk discussion with Zoe Watham, who I walked a big chunk of the 365-mile South West Coast Path with last year and in the knowledge that the coast path was due to open in 2012. It seemed like a logical objective.
The original idea was just to walk it for myself, but then one day I had the bright idea of doing something for a good cause at the same time, so I thought why not raise money towards my School’s PTA who wanted funds to help build a new classroom for the Outdoor Education department.
A Good, Outdoor Cause
We had talked about wanting a new classroom for some time of having an Eco classroom, which would be energy efficient and ecologically sound, and to provide a more simulating classroom to help teach our pupils.
Our outdoor Education department provides huge range of activities to all the pupils in the school from Year 6 to upper 6th form, and many of our pupils that don’t do well in the classroom excel in outdoor education. I love to see my pupils getting enthused about being outdoors and seeing not only their personal skills, but also their skills as working as part of team and helping them discover new and challenging adventures in the outdoors that will give them memories that will last them a lifetime, which in itself is motivation to do this walk.
Preparation And Training
As far as gegtting ready for the walk goes, I’ve done a few training walks on the Coast Path on Anglesey and along the North Wales Coastline, and have spent a lot of time looking at kit to make my rucksack as light as possible, but still maintaining some level of comfort.
I’ve been lucky enough to have had a lot of kit donated for the walk including, Osprey, Rab, Viewranger, Thermarest, Ribzwear, Targetdry, Planet Fear, Joe Browns, Cotswold Outdoors, Arriva Trains Wales, Sawyer Water Filters, Sea to Summit & Oookworks. Further details of my kit can be found on my blog.
Following Me
Interested people will be able to follow my progress on the Social Hiking website, via the Buddy Beacon feature on the Viewranger App, and see photos and video clips from twitter.
Anyone that would be interested in sponsoring my walk or would like to offer any kind of support can find details below:-
School Website www.stdavidscollege.co.uk
Email swebb@stdavidscollege.co.uk
Twitter @dragonwalk2012
Justgiving www.justgiving.com/Dragonwalk2012
Blog dragonwalk2012.wordpress.com
Getting Crowded Out There...
Finally, having spoken to others, I’ve found a fair few people planning on doing the path; these include Arry Beresford-Webb who I believe is the 1st person to do the WCP running 1027 miles around the Coast path and Offa’s Dyke. This is an attempt to raise £25,000 for the Velindre Cancer Centre Stepping Stones appeal and Gozo CCU Foundation. Details can be found here dragonrun1027.wordpress.com.
Then there's Dave Quarrell who could be the 2nd person to do the WCP is setting off on his 1027 mile adventure around the same route on the 5th May from Cardiff. Dave hopes to raise at least £20,000 for Cancer Research Wales, in memory of his father, Gerry, who died this year from stomach cancer. Dave’s father Gerry Quarrell was a key figure in the creation of the WCP. Details of Dave’s walk can be found here www.walkwales1027.com.
