Bear Grylls devised this 'Round Britain by Jetski' challenge after a visit to the London Boat Show where the Yamaha salesman said 'it couldn't be done'. To prove that leisure craft had serious off-shore capabilities. Bear, and his Everest climbing partner Neil Laughton, asked Tim to join the team.

 

Yamaha became willing sponsors and Waverunner XL1200 craft were made available for the launch from HMS Belfast in the Thames in July 2000. The team completed a clockwise circumnavigation of mainland Britain in 23 days, a feat which has not been repeated by anyone on a jetski.

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The worst seas were in the Bristol Channel, where Tim and Neil crossed from Ilfracombe to Tenby, a distance of approximately 65km, much to the disbelief of the Welsh fishing fleet who had not put to sea due to the extreme conditions.

 

After 3912km (2445 miles) the team were escorted by the Port of London Authority back up the Thames past HMS Belfast to complete the challenge and on to Putney to celebrate the achievement with their various sponsors, the media and their charity, the RNLI.