Exercise Iron Euro was an Offshore Sailing, Mountaineering, Kayaking and Mountain Biking expedition being run over a period of 4 weeks.

Offshore Sailing

During this phase a number of sustained coastal passages some lasting up to 36 hrs were made around the Balearics and along the Spanish South Eastern coast to and from Barcelona aboard a Moorings 363 (Beneteau oceanis 361) commercially chartered yacht

After a good rest overnight on the ferry, we reported to Palma Marina to collect our Yacht 'Aloha 3' a Beneteau 361. We took over the Yacht and had a safety brief, did some food shopping then left the marina for an anchorage near Palma Nova We sailed 10 miles and arrived off Magaluf where we anchored over night.

An early start to the day in order to cross the sea between Majorca and Ibiza. Strong winds had been forecast up to force 7 Northwesterly. We weighed anchor and headed on our way to San Antonio Ibiza. After practising Man overboard Drills and putting reefs in sails. The wind as forecast picked up and with it a rough sea. At this point the crew were aware of sea sickness, as a result the skipper decided to head for flatter water so we changed course for Ibiza town, on the East coast of Ibiza, arriving at 1730hrs we had covered 60 miles in 9hrs and went stern to at the marina.

The following day we decide to sail around the southern end of Ibiza to our original destination of San Antonio. The weather was a great deal calmer with light winds. We headed North up the West coast, it was at this point we saw dolphins swimming around the boat. Completing the 30-mile passage to San Antonio the skipper decided that we would be staying until the following evening so we could sail overnight to the mainland. After a days admin we left at 1800 hrs on course for Javea on the Spanish mainland a distance of about 70 miles the reason we left so late is so that we could arrive in Javea at 0800hrs at which point the harbour would be open. As we exited San Antonio bay we observed a Marlin leaping from the water with its snout poised. We then ate a pasta meal as we observed more dolphins and a whale. Although the sails were up the light variable winds meant it was necessary to have the engine on. Later as it got dark we went into night routine and the wind increased to a south-easterly F3 which allowed us to broad reach toward Javea. There were few ships on route until we approached the coastline and we arrived shortly before 0800hrs, stern to Club Nautico Javea.

Kayaking

This took place on the inland waterways of France. Kayakers paddled from Sete along the inland lakes, the Canal du Midi and the River L'Orb in Grade 1 and 2 water a distance of approximately 50 miles.

After arriving in sauvignon we eventually found a half decent campsite and made camp. A recce of the local area found some good entry and exit points for the canoeing and it was then back to the campsite to do some shopping for an evening Barbeque. The whole day was dedicated to teaching people how to paddle in a straight line, capsize drills and recovery drills were practised. Then by way of confirmation kayaked 15 km up the canal until arriving at the town of Beziers.

After our basic kayak training our instructor introduced us to white water kayaking. So armed with Kayaks and Paddles we headed north to Tarrasac to canoe the Mighty L'orb. We found some placid water which flowed over rocks and where able to practise going over them. Canoeing up and down was very tiring so we finished early then went for a look at where we were going tomorrow.The Instructor insisted it was only a grade 1 river. We went back to the campsite to eat and prepare for the next Day.

An early start then a 1 hour drive up to Tarassac by the River L'orb, for the second part of the white water training. After briefings and a little training our instructor told us to follow him and do what he did. He then capsized as he hit the first rapid. We conquered our fears and 25 km of the river Heading down to Roquebrun. We arrived weak from anxiety and hard graft, but satisfied that we had achieved.

The next days adventure was to canoe from Roquebrun to Reals on this stretch we had a mixture of placid water grade 1 and the occasional grade 2. Along the way we practised deep water rescues our skills by now were considerably stronger than on the first day. We covered an exhausting 15km as the river runs but with all the paddling it felt more like 20. We arrived back at the campsite shattered.