Teddy Bear’s Picnic – How Big Ted Met Wetwheels

Hamble-based charity Wetwheels will be running its inaugural Teddy Bear’s picnic on Saturday 30 September at Mercury Yacht Harbour and Holiday Park!

Wetwheels Hamble was launched in 2016, becoming the third regional operator for the Wetwheels Foundation, and has her home at MDL’s Mercury Yacht Harbour in Hamble, so is perfectly positioned to operate across the Southampton region, the Isle of Wight and the South Coast.

All donations are being used to provide trips on the Wetwheels Hamble boat. The Wetwheels experience is designed to provide every disabled person with a chance to experience the excitement of power boating.

 

But why a Teddy Bear’s Picnic?  Here’s the story of how Big Ted Met Wetwheels!

Once upon a time in the wild and wacky jungles of South America, there resided a colossal bear who answered to the name “Big Ted.” Now, this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill bear, oh no! Big Ted was so enormous, he made his fellow bears look like teddy bears themselves. And let’s not even get started on his fashion-forward choice of light fur, making him the trendiest bear in the jungle.

He had a spirit that craved adventure and a heart that beat to the rhythm of the unknown, all while maintaining an impeccable cuddle quotient.

One fine day, as Big Ted stared dramatically at the horizon where the Amazon River met the colossal Atlantic Ocean, a lightbulb went off in his furry head. He’d embark on a journey that would put even the most audacious of dreams to shame: he’d swim the Atlantic!

With a resolve as solid as his love for honey, Big Ted dove headfirst into a rigorous training regimen. He swam upstream, wrestled with the Amazon’s feisty currents, and even became a tree-climbing champion to boost his strength and agility. He consulted the wise old-timers of the jungle, becoming a celestial navigation pro in the process.

Months flew by, and as departure day loomed, Big Ted’s friends and fellow creatures gathered for an emotional farewell. They’d never witnessed such a spectacle of bravery and recklessness, and boy, were they in for a treat.

Finally, the grand day arrived. Big Ted stood at the riverbank, gazing into the abyss of the Atlantic. After a dramatic pause and a well-rehearsed cannonball splash, he was off!

Days melted into weeks, and Big Ted’s escapade was a rollercoaster of epic challenges. He battled monstrous waves, wrestled ferocious currents, and even faced off against his arch-nemesis, the relentless sun. But he never lost his nerve. Thoughts of his lush jungle and the memory of his friends’ support propelled him onward.

One fateful morning, with the rising sun like a Hollywood spotlight, Big Ted spotted it: land! The rugged coastline of the Isle of Wight emerged on the horizon, a beacon of hope and the promise of a new chapter.

As Big Ted swam past Hurst Point and approached the Solent, a majestic vessel called Wetwheels Hamble motored into view. It was helmed by the dashing Captain Fiddaman, with the indomitable First Mate Suez by his side. Onboard were a crew of excited children and young adventurers ready to conquer the high seas.

“Can I come aboard? I’m a tad tired, and do you happen to have any Jam Sandwiches, Honey, and Avocados? A bear’s gotta eat, you know!” Big Ted exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“Of course, hop on!” Captain Fiddaman cheerily replied. The children erupted in gleeful cheers as Big Ted, with the grace of a ballerina, made his way onto the boat, expertly assisted by First Mate Suez.

Wetwheels Hamble, being the Swiss Army knife of boats, was prepared for any and all situations, including stumbling upon a famished bear from the heart of South America. Thus, a feast fit for a bear king was laid out, complete with jam sandwiches, honey, and avocados. (Because everyone knows South American bears have refined palates!)

After polishing off his feast, Big Ted turned to Captain Fiddaman with a shiver. “Got a spare T-shirt? It’s getting a bit nippy out here.” Lo and behold, a Wetwheels Hamble crew T-shirt was conjured, fitting Big Ted like a glove. With a contented sigh, Big Ted decided it was high time for a “little nap” and promptly dozed off.

The next morning, when Captain Fiddaman and First Mate Suez returned to the boat, they were met with an empty deck. Big Ted had vanished, leaving the Wetwheels Hamble Team in a state of teddy bear blues.

But fear not, dear reader, for this was not the end of our tale!

Word of Big Ted’s epic oceanic odyssey spread like wildfire, and he became the hottest bear world. He traded in his swimming trunks for a captain’s hat and embarked on countless nautical escapades across the globe. And he made it a point to swing by and visit all his jungle pals who’d rooted for him.

Yet, amidst all the fame and glory, Big Ted never forgot the kindness of Captain Fiddaman and First Mate Suez, or the giggles of the children on Wetwheels Hamble. So, even as the most sought-after bear on the planet, he’d drop by Wetwheels Hamble from time to time.

So, the legend of “Big Ted,” the bear who swam the oceans and became a seafaring sensation, stands as a testament that no dream is too wild, no adventure too audacious, and no sea too vast for those who believe in themselves.

“Big Ted’s” next Wetwheels Hamble rendezvous is on Saturday, September 30th at Mercury Marina where he will bring along ten of his small friends. So, bring your own teddies and plush pals to meet Big Ted for a day of high-seas hilarity!