BBC Radio Solent launches a new sailing show

Sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will be ruling the waves once more this week as he takes the helm of BBC Radio Solent's new weekly programme the H2O show on Fridays from 7-8pm - starting on Friday 18th April 2008. 

In a first for BBC Radio Solent - 96.1 & 103.8FM - the show will also be available as a weekly podcast, at www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire and www.bbc.co.uk/dorset.  Listeners will be able to download highlights of the show to their computer or MP3 player in order to listen at their convenience.  The H2O show will be added to the BBC's existing portfolio of podcasts available at www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts.

The H2O show will offer listeners all they need to know whether they spend their time on the water or in it, at the time they need it - a Friday night when they are planning their weekend.  Whether it is weather forecasts, sporting events, What's On information, or what vessel is expected in port listeners will be able to find it on H2O.

Despite being a world famous yachtsman Sir Robin won't be sailing alone, as local powerboat champion Shelley Jory will also be on hand, bringing listeners special reports from around the region.  BBC Radio Solent is delighted to have Shelley onboard in what promises to be a very special season for one of the UK's leading powerboat racers as she joins the Powerboat P1 World Championship Series.

Speaking before the launch of the H20 Show, Sir Robin said: "Boating has got to be one of the biggest sports in Hampshire, it's a major activity for people, but the coverage has been limited so far.  So I am really looking forward to it, and making it available as a podcast really will open up the programme to people unable to listen live on a Friday night.  The show will be about any activity on or in the water, we want to talk to anyone who goes afloat.  And you won't have to be an expert.  We want to include information that is useful whether your livelihood is on the water or it it's just how you spend your leisure time.  For example, as well as updating you on sea conditions we could also be taking a look at how you get started in Kayaking.  It will be a programme that anyone can listen to; we want to encourage people's interest.  It is all about accessibility."

Solent Managing Editor Mia Costello explained the new show has been developed with the help of local water sports enthusiasts and experts: "We invited in a group of people from the Solent area who had an interest in water activities and asked them what they wanted to hear.  This ranged from general information to what's on in the Solent that weekend, and the H2O show on a Friday evening is the result.  As we developed the programme the idea of making it available on demand and as a podcast just seemed obvious.  People who enjoy the water spend a lot of time on it or in it and not by their radios so let's give them the information they want at a time that suits.  And then there's the global aspect!"

The H2O Show with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Shelley Jory starts this Friday, April 18, at 7pm, on BBC Radio Solent 96.1 & 103.8FM, and on bbc.co.uk/hampshire and bbc.co.uk/dorset