Sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, joined by power boat champion Shelley Jory, will be taking to the airwaves this week fronting BBC Radio Solent’s new weekly programme the H2O show, starting Friday 18 April 7-8pm.

The H2O show will offer listeners varied information, whether they spend their time on the water or in it. The broadcast features weather forecasts, sporting events, what’s on, and what vessels can be expected in port.

In a first for BBC Radio Solent, the show will 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 also be added to the BBC’s existing portfolio of podcasts available at www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts .

Speaking before the launch of the 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.”

The H2O Show starts this Friday at 7pm, on BBC Radio Solent 96.1 & 103.8FM, and on bbc.co.uk/Hampshire and bbc.co.uk/dorset .