Connect with us

%

World Record Rowing Challenge

Published

on

world-record-rowing-challenge

Raising money for mental health support for military personnel Credit: Instagram/James_Priestley_

A British resident in Mallorca is preparing for a gruelling 12-hour rowing challenge that could see him break a Guinness World Records title while raising money for mental health support for military personnel, veterans and their families.

James Priestley, who moved to Mallorca just over two years ago, will attempt to row at least 153 kilometres on an indoor rowing machine on Saturday, October 3.

The challenge will take place at his new gym in Port d’Andratx, where he hopes to attract support from the local community as he attempts to complete a record-breaking endurance feat.

From SAS to rowing machine

Priestley is no stranger to extreme challenges. Originally from Leeds and Bradford, he previously worked in the property sector before entering Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins, which he won in 2020.

His latest challenge is particularly significant because it is an attempt to complete something he previously had to abandon.

In 2021, Priestley attempted the same 12-hour rowing challenge in Leeds. However, after nine hours and 45 minutes, an injury forced him to stop. The injury eventually required surgery.

Five years later, he has decided to try again, this time from Mallorca.

The current men’s record for the longest distance rowed on a Concept2 indoor rowing machine in 12 hours stands at 152.869 kilometres, meaning Priestley needs to exceed that distance to claim the title.

A challenge with a purpose

The attempt is not simply about setting a new sporting record.

Priestley co-founded VÕS HELP, a mental health support service aimed at serving military personnel, veterans, their families and anyone who needs someone to talk to.

The service connects users with trained counsellors and aims to reduce the time people have to wait before accessing support.

Priestley says the October challenge aims to raise enough money to fund 1,000 free mental health support calls.

He says each call costs around £20 through the service, compared with a significantly higher typical cost for professional support.

The organisation currently has around 1,000 counsellors and volunteers involved, according to Priestley.

Port d’Andratx community gym

The rowing attempt will also showcase Priestley’s new Port d’Andratx gym, which has been created with local residents in mind.

Rather than focusing solely on seasonal visitors, the facility is intended to operate throughout the year and provide a community-focused space offering personal training and fitness facilities.

The gym will be open to the public during the record attempt, with a second rowing machine positioned alongside Priestley.

That means members of the public will be able to join the challenge by rowing alongside him for part of the 12-hour effort.

The mayor of Andratx is also expected to attend during the final hour.

Two records in one day

Priestley is not stopping at the 12-hour target.

He also plans to attempt the eight-hour distance record during the same challenge, before continuing towards the 12-hour mark.

The former SAS winner admits the physical demands will be considerable, particularly because he does not have the physique or specialist rowing background of elite indoor rowers.

However, he believes the mental resilience developed during his time on SAS: Who Dares Wins could help him push through the toughest stages.

The challenge will begin at 7am on October 3 and continue until 7pm.

People wanting to support the fundraising effort can donate through VÕS HELP or visit the Port d’Andratx gym, where QR codes will be available during the event.

%

Calahonda’s Footballers Fight Against Cancer

Published

on

calahonda’s-footballers-fight-against-cancer

The local community are coming together in force in Calahonda this September for a really great cause. Real Calahonda Walking Football Club have joined up with Millenium Cocktail Bar to host their annual fundraising event. Scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at 6:30pm, this wonderful gathering brings together live music and community action all in aid of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) in Malaga.

An evening full of music and taking to the microphone

Entertainment seekers and music lovers can look forward to a wide range of local vocal talent throughout the evening. Popular favourites from along the coast such as performers Mark F, Soul Survivor, and Tony Capo will take to the stage to keep the crowds singing and dancing into the night. Anyone brave enough can take the microphone during the evening for a charity karaoke session, become a star for the night for a great charity. Entry cost is just a €5 donation, not much for an evening line up of such talent.

Supporting the cause further through auctions and raffles

Organisers are requesting contributions from local businesses and individuals to maximize fundraising totals. Anything donated is gratefully recieved and will be drawn during the grand prize raffle, along with other items set to be auctioned off to the highest bidder on the night. Anyone wishing to donate items can send a message directly to the Real Calahonda Walking Football Club via their Facebook page.

Tickets can be booked online via the football club’s official social channels or purchased directly at Millenium Cocktail Bar in Calahonda. Gathering with friends for great live entertainment is a fun and easy to back life-saving medical research. All proceeds gathered through ticket sales, prize draws, and bidding wars will fund cancer research, patient care assistance, and regional prevention programs managed by the AECC.

Head along to Millenuim Cocktail bar on Saturday, September 26 and make a difference.

Continue Reading

%

Explore Spain’s 4,200-Year-Old ‘Troy Of The West’ During La Bastida’s Open Days

Published

on

explore-spain’s-4,200-year-old-‘troy-of-the-west’-during-la-bastida’s-open-days

Totana’s ancient La Bastida site hosts open days this October. Photo Credit: National Geographic

History enthusiasts, local residents, and curious visitors have the extraordinary opportunity to step back in time at the beginning of October: the ancient archaeological site of La Bastida, just outside the Murcian town of Totana, is opening its gates to the public for its highly anticipated annual open days on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4.

Uncovering Europe’s ‘Troy of the West’: a weekend of history in the interior of Murcia

Dating back more than 4,200 years, La Bastida was once a dominant urban centre of the Bronze Age El Argar culture. The site is often referred to as “The Troy of the West” and is renowned among international historians and archaeologists for its remarkably advanced engineering and sophisticated fortresses. Its massive stone walls, defensive towers, and intricate town planning continue to fascinate researchers even in the modern day, especially due to the precise origins of the Argaric civilisation’s building techniques, which remain one of Europe’s greatest ancient mysteries.

Interactive workshops and guided tours

The scheduled open days will provide a rare and immersive glimpse into this fascinating prehistoric society. The mornings will feature guided walking tours that bring the ancient ruins and original stone structures to life. Visitors can discover how early inhabitants lived, farmed, and crafted tools thousands of years ago. The programme will include hands-on pottery workshops, engaging activities for children, and public access to the active archaeological laboratory where specialists analyse excavated artifacts.

Visitor information and booking details: how to register for guided tours and exploration of the site

The site will welcome visitors on both Saturday and Sunday morning from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Tour groups will be capped at 30 participants each, so interested visitors and history buffs are recommended to book their day in advance.

Booking is open through the Totana Tourist Office via telephone at T. 968 41 81 53, or by email at turismo@totana.es. Whether you are a devoted history enthusiast or simply seeking an enriching weekend excursion, La Bastida will offer an unforgettable journey into Iberian history.

Continue Reading

%

Lidl Puts Cabless, Driverless Lorry On German Roads As Spain Watches

Published

on

lidl-puts-cabless,-driverless-lorry-on-german-roads-as-spain-watches

There is no driver or safety operator sitting inside the vehicle. Photo credit:Shamatha Pictures / Shutterstock.com

If you shop at Lidl in Spain, there is a good chance you have never given much thought to how the products on those shelves actually get there. Behind every supermarket is a huge delivery operation, with lorries constantly moving goods between warehouses and stores. But Lidl has just started testing something in Germany that could eventually change the way some of those journeys are made.

Even though the experiment is taking place elsewhere, it involves a major change to the way Lidl moves its products, and the results could be worth watching for anyone who regularly shops at the supermarket.

Lidl is testing a very different kind of delivery

The German trial involves a cabless electric truck that drives itself, operating on public roads between Lidl’s distribution centre in Edermünde, near Kassel, and a nearby store. There is no driver or safety operator sitting inside the vehicle and the truck operates at SAE Level 4, allowing it to drive autonomously within the conditions covered by its official approval. This is not a closed-course demonstration, the vehicle is literally carrying Lidl’s goods as part of an actual delivery operation.

It can transport 15 Euro pallets and make up to three trips each day. During the four-month project, Lidl expects more than 3,000 pallets to be transported using the vehicle. The German Federal Motor Transport Authority, known as the KBA, has authorised the operation. According to Lidl and Einride, this is the first permit of its kind in Germany for a cabless Level 4 autonomous truck operating on public roads.

Could Spain eventually see the same thing?

Whilst there is currently no announcement that Lidl is bringing these trucks here. The German project is a trial designed to establish how autonomous freight works in a real retail environment. Lidl is using the route to gather practical experience before considering how the technology could be developed further and which countries will benefit from it.

Another reason the trial is also worth watching in Spain, is because Lidl has a large network of supermarkets and distribution centres. Any decision to expand autonomous deliveries in the future would depend on the technology, the results of trials such as this one and the regulatory framework in each country. For now the, Spanish Lidl customers won’t suddenly find a driverless lorry arriving at their local store,

Lidl wants to take the trial further

The current journey is relatively simple, taking goods from the distribution centre to a nearby shop. The next stage could be more complicated. Lidl and Einride plan to develop the route towards a so called multi-stop “milkrun” model, in which one autonomous vehicle can serve several locations during a single operation.

Lidl also says further deployments involving companies within the Schwarz Group are being discussed. That would move the technology beyond a single delivery route and towards a much larger logistics operation.

Who is Einride?

Einride is a Swedish transport company that specialises in electric and autonomous freight. For Einride, the Lidl project represents an important step because the technology is being used for commercial deliveries on public roads rather than simply demonstrated in controlled conditions.

For Lidl on the other hand, the project provides a chance to see whether autonomous electric transport can become a practical part of its supply chain. There is still a long way to go before anything similar appears on Spanish roads, but Lidl has now put the technology into a real supermarket delivery operation, and what happens in Germany could help determine whether this remains a small experiment or becomes something much bigger.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Spanish Real Estate Agents

Tags

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Spanish Property & News