Steve and Simon’ first “cold” adventure was in 2005 when they took part in the Polar Race - a race across the arctic ocean from Resolute Bay in the Canadian Arctic to the Magnetic North Pole. After 350 miles of skiing, temperatutes as low as -40C, being attacked by Polar Bears and catching the flu, Steve and Simon (the CWPolarteam), finished third in the race. The team raised 32K for the Guernsey GOSH appeal by taking part and helped to raise the money needed to fund the building of a “patient hotel” at The Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. Steve & Simon visited the patient accomodation and were treated to a visit around the facility. It was obvious that a greater cause for monies raised by the boys would be hard to find.

Full details of the Polar Race 2005 can be found at:

http://www.cwpolarteam.com/ and http://www.polarrace.com

In 2006 Simon took part in an expedition to ski across Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. The trip was organised by Richard Bull, one of the trainers on the Polar Race. Richard led the expedition assisted by Simon but the weather trapped the 6 members of the expedition at the infamous “Windy Corner” in the Akshuyuk Pass on Baffin Island. After four days a hasty retreat from 80mph winds meant an end to the trip but a vow was made to return!

As promised, in 2007 Simon returned to Baffin Island and the tiny village of Qikitarjuarq with a familiar face in the seat next to him. Steve had accepted the challenge to once more team up with Simon and to attempt the 110 mile crossing of Baffin Island via the Akshuyuk Pass. On reaching “Windy Corner”, the scene of the previous years bad weather, Steve couldnt understand what the problem had been! Sunshine and calm winds met the boys as they rounded the corner and skiied across the arctic circle in near perfect weather. A film of the expedition was produced by Channel Television, named, somewhat grandly, “Men on a Mission”, it detailed the trip but also gave information concerning Climate Change and in particular the effects of Global Warming on rising sea levels, something that has a very real effect on everyone, but as Channel Islanders, the effects seem more poignant - bye bye Marks & Spencers!

In between visits to the arctic, the boys havent been idle, Steve has ridden his “pusher” all over France (mainly up hills by the sounds of it) with his cycling partner, Pete, and Simon has taken part in various Mountain Races and ridiculously long walks! Of course there’s always time for a curry when the boys meet up - its not all running around you know! 

And so, to 2009, and the fruition of an idea borne whilst skiing across Baffin Island and refined in bars in Iqaluit, Ottawa, London, Guernsey, Sark and Alderney and even the Isle of Man - to ski across the worlds largest island - Greenland!