Ed's headed for icy waters

CG’s Ed Gould, normally known for his expertise in social media and marketing, has surprised clients by secretly planning an adventure to the Arctic Circle.

Ed announced today (Friday 13) that he will take part in an on-water adventure that would send most in the business world running.

Ed will travel from Scotland to the Arctic Circle in a tiny, six metre, Suzuki powered Humber RIB over the course of six days as part of the first ever GORE-TEX® Arctic Challenge.

It is the first time the route has been battled in such small RIBS and the team has taken on the challenge in a bid to prove the capability of the modern day RIB.

The icy adventure has been kept under wraps for months and Ed’s involvement came about after a meeting with client, Hugo Montgomery-Swan of RIB International, when the mission was first mooted.

Proving he will go to any lengths to achieve his clients’ ambitions, Ed volunteered his specialism in social media, communications and photography and said he would take part in the challenge.

Hugo Montgomery-Swan, who is organising the adventure, said: “I really wanted Ed on the team so I’m ecstatic that he is taking part. His communications expertise, sense of adventure and sheer fearlessness are exactly the right ingredients and he will be of great importance to the GORE-TEX® Arctic Challenge. His talents in photography and online communications will allow us to chronicle our adventure and have a record of the amazing wildlife we will be able to witness in these small RIBs. His professionalism in everything he does is just what is required for a once-only challenge of this type.”

Over six days the group will have to battle against all that the North Sea can throw at them. The open vessels will offer little protection from the icy winds as they travel an average 120 miles per day at around 20 knots all the way to the Arctic. Their longest day will see them travel 230 nautical miles in a grueling 11.5 hour stint. 

Ed said: “Carswell Gould has been heavily involved in the marine industry for 30 years and passionate about all things on-water. There was no way I wasn’t going to help Hugo make this challenge a success and I’m excited that we’re using an incredibly physical tool as a way of promoting the use of RIBs. It really is a unique communications tactic that will allow followers to fully understand the capability of the modern RIB and hopefully encourage them to take it up as a hobby.”

As part of his involvement, Ed will ensure that people at home will be able to keep right up-to-date via onboard tracking technology that will feed to social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook, and the challenge website - www.ribstothelimit.com. The crew will feed video, photography and blog updates back from the thick of the action and will be able to answer any questions enthusiasts may have.

Joining Ed and Hugo will be famous sailor, Pete Goss, as well as RIB adventurer and record holder, Paul Lemmer, quarter master Julian Hutson Saxsby, mechanic and logistics expert Mark Beeley, Gore representative, Andy Warrender and intrepid Telegraph journalist, Bryony Gordon.

The trip will follow the following route:

Day one: 120 miles from Wick in the Scottish Highlands to Lerwick on the Shetland Islands

Day two: 230 miles from Lerwick to Maloy in Norway

Day three: 100 miles from Maloy to Kristiansund in Norway

Day four: 145 miles from Kristiansund to Rorvic in Norway

Day five: 86 miles from Rorvic to Sandnessjoen in Norway

Day six: 86 miles from Sandnessjoen to Rognan in Norway (in the Arctic Circle)

The challenge has strong backing from several high-profile sponsors, including:

GORE-TEX® products

Humber RIBs

Suzuki engines

Musto clothing

Towergate Mardon

Ullman seats

Icom UK

Lowrance

Garmin

SeaSafe life jackets

Stratumfive

Nite Watches

To find out more about the GORE-TEX® Arctic Challenge and follow the adventure, which will take place between June 27 and July 9, visit www.ribstothelimit.com.