Chris Strickland

Chris is a consultant electrical engineer and boat builder, he was also managing director of an Electrical Wholesaling company in Windsor. In the past he was Commodore and Chairman of BIBOA the Rhib Club. He also sat on the Offshore Racing Committee of the RYA, representing BIBOA.

Chris started boating in 1958 and competed in 1st Division White Water Slalom in the UK and America under the auspices of the British Canoe Union. 1971 saw him join the 1st British team to descend the treacherous Colorado River through 260 miles of the Grand Canyon from Glen Canyon dam to Lake Mead.

You can see Chris Strickland in the Chris Hawkesworth film of the First British Expedition to descend the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, by Canoe. It took place in 1971 with 23 paddlers, and included the first descent by a woman kayak paddler, and the first C1 and C2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vI1Cs0nov8

1972 saw him back in America to represent Great Britain in the Arkansas White Water race. 26miles down river from Salida to Cotapaxi in the Rockies gaining a creditable 6th Place.

1975/6 he raced 2 litre Offshore and competed in the London Calais London 3 times, finally winning a 3rd overall place.

There followed some sedate family cruising in a twin diesel boat ‘Seahound of Hamble’, with his wife Helen and 2 daughters. Whilst their two girls grew up, Chris bought a Scorpion Rhib and was introduced to BIBOA the Rhib Club.

Chris is a member of The Royal Lymington Yacht Club and The British Powerboat Racing Club. He is a past committee member of The Royal Motor Yacht Club Poole, and former RYA Commissioner.

After the London Monte Carlo record Chris was accepted into the prestigious Club 2000, membership is open to those who complete a continuous voyage of over 2000nm in a powerboat. Currently there are less than 30 members. From 1998 Team Seahound have dominated racing and record breaking. You can read about the records by clicking here.