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Long Standing Ambition: the first solo round Britain windsurf
** Finalist for the Amazon Storyteller award 2017 **
If your life unravelled would you sink or swim?
Jono Dunnett hit rock bottom. Then he launched into stormy waters to follow his dream - by his own estimation a foolish ambition – to windsurf round Britain.
This powerful account charts the highs and lows of risking all, and the consequences of doing so.
Beautifully observed, life-affirming and insightful, it is a sailing epic and more.
With high quality maps and photographs that accompany the main text.
** Finalist for the Amazon Storyteller award 2017 **
If your life unravelled would you sink or swim?
Jono Dunnett hit rock bottom. Then he launched into stormy waters to follow his dream - by his own estimation a foolish ambition – to windsurf round Britain.
This powerful account charts the highs and lows of risking all, and the consequences of doing so.
Beautifully observed, life-affirming and insightful, it is a sailing epic and more.
With high quality maps and photographs that accompany the main text.
** Finalist for the Amazon Storyteller award 2017 **
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2017
25 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 19, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this, particularly Days 97 and 98 :) We are similar in many ways, if I see an Island I have an over whelming urge to windsurf around it, the main difference being your Island was much bigger! Good luck with your European Adventure- wishing you good winds and no breakages!
The only minus as a bit of a photographer I would have loved to have seen loads more pics, especially in colour!
The only minus as a bit of a photographer I would have loved to have seen loads more pics, especially in colour!
May 13, 2020
It would seem to me that this book is for people who are obsessed with sailboarding, or at least sailing, or who have a keen interest in circling Great Britain and visiting each bay. You will find out exactly what it was like everywhere. It is a very detailed memoir of the sailing tactics used in every location, how he spent the night, what he ate, etc. It really is quite an amazing feat, many times him commenting that he was getting tired after 8 hours on the board.
I do have to comment on his observance that many people in a small town were overweight, and he blamed capitalism for forcing people to eat unhealthily for monetary gain. This from a person who indulged wholeheartedly in Snickers bars throughout his entire trip.
This is a book that can be read a little at a time and can be used as a guide, I would think, for others who plan on making this trip.
I do have to comment on his observance that many people in a small town were overweight, and he blamed capitalism for forcing people to eat unhealthily for monetary gain. This from a person who indulged wholeheartedly in Snickers bars throughout his entire trip.
This is a book that can be read a little at a time and can be used as a guide, I would think, for others who plan on making this trip.
May 18, 2020
Interesting book
I have never read an autobiography, and have no interest in watersports of any type. So I have no idea why I chose to read this book other than a great write-up by his brother Gregg. But this left me spell-bound, not wanting to put it down until I knew he'd rounded the next headland or beached safely at the next available bit of sand. The book didn't make me want to take up snowboarding, but at least I can understand now why they do it. Would have benefited from a glossary of terms, for the totally uninitiated.
I have never read an autobiography, and have no interest in watersports of any type. So I have no idea why I chose to read this book other than a great write-up by his brother Gregg. But this left me spell-bound, not wanting to put it down until I knew he'd rounded the next headland or beached safely at the next available bit of sand. The book didn't make me want to take up snowboarding, but at least I can understand now why they do it. Would have benefited from a glossary of terms, for the totally uninitiated.
September 4, 2021
Excellent. Very much enjoyed this.
Jono gives you a solid sense of being there, thinking his thoughts, fearing his fears, and enjoying the highlights, knowing that they are all part of the journey. Thanks Jono. I suspect there is a windsurfer round Britain in all of us. I read part of it to my wife—just a regular day, one among many—and she didn’t quite get it. Then I pointed out the blanket she’s been knitting for three months, and it all made clicked.
Jono gives you a solid sense of being there, thinking his thoughts, fearing his fears, and enjoying the highlights, knowing that they are all part of the journey. Thanks Jono. I suspect there is a windsurfer round Britain in all of us. I read part of it to my wife—just a regular day, one among many—and she didn’t quite get it. Then I pointed out the blanket she’s been knitting for three months, and it all made clicked.
May 25, 2020
If you enjoy reading of challenges and triumphs...
this book is for you. I can't imagine how Jono managed this sail, even though he describes it in detail. It's a fascinating read about the adventures found along the coastline of Britain.
this book is for you. I can't imagine how Jono managed this sail, even though he describes it in detail. It's a fascinating read about the adventures found along the coastline of Britain.
February 4, 2019
something really soothing about this inspiring account of adventure!
December 21, 2020
Fascinating Read
An interesting read and even though I have no knowledge of wind surfing it was still a good book to read - amazing guy what an achievement.
An interesting read and even though I have no knowledge of wind surfing it was still a good book to read - amazing guy what an achievement.
November 21, 2021
It goes to show what can be achieved when you really want to
February 19, 2023
Excellent account of an epic journey
April 23, 2017
I was surprised at how much I really enjoyed this book. Being married to a keen windsurfer of 30 years (who actually features in the last few days of the adventure) and spending the same amount of time being party to many windsurfing conversations with local sailors I fully expected this to be a diary of sail sizes, board volumes, fins used knots of wind and nautical miles travelled. While there was obviously a need for this information at times I thought it was kept to a minimum and concentrated more on the amazing things Jono saw, how he was feeling and stories of the great people he met on his way round Great Britain. It was a well written account of his adventure and the diary format made me want to keep reading to find out what happened the next day. The fact that he managed to make this journey with one sail and one board all the way is a miracle! Well done Jono on the feat itself and the book to tell the tale. Good luck with conquering Europe!!
This is listed as a kindle edition but it was actually the paperback but it is not showing on the editions.
This is listed as a kindle edition but it was actually the paperback but it is not showing on the editions.
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January 3, 2018Hi everyone. I have not given this book any stars because I'm unable to comment on the book as only read a few pages as I realised it was not my kind of book. I only read a few pages and what I read was well written and probably inspirational for those who read the whole book. NB This was the only way I could remove it from my list (unless anyone can tell me how to do it).
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews