About the challenge.
My boat Pegasus
Why row across the Atlantic?
Often the first question people ask is why do you want to row across the Atlantic Ocean? I find this question difficult to answer because in my head it is why wouldn't you want to row across the Atlantic Ocean?
Why Solo?
People also often ask why do this as a solo rower rather than a pair? Well if you ask my wife she might tell you I can be just a tad grumpy, so perhaps solo is best.
Am I super fit?
Am I super fit? certainly not! but I am blessed with normal good health for an oldie and enjoy walking The South West Coast Path, but no I am not super fit, just a perfectly ordinary chap moving inexorably in the direction of slightly advanced years.
I need your support.
This row cannot go ahead, and act as a platform to raise monies for my charities without the generous support of sponsors. Please visit the sponsor me section and make a real difference. Thank You.
The Challenge.
The 2023 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. My challenge is to row solo 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from La Gomera to Antiqua. This may take around 90 days but I am simply not counting, it will take as long as it takes.
I will need to battle sleep deprivation rowing 2 hours on and 2 hours off 24 hours a day 7 days a week. I am sure I will suffer salt sores and blisters on my hands, feet and derrière. The race is definitely a mental challenge as well as a physical one. Previous rowers have suffered hallucinations, others have had days when they loved it and days when they hated it, but you cannot catch the train home.
It will take in excess of 1.5 million oar strokes. More people have climbed Everest than rowed an ocean. Boats have often been capsized and several have had their hulls pierced by Blue Marlin (swordfish) hunting Tuna. I need to aim to consume in excess of 5000 calories each day, even so I may lose around 12kg in body weight, well my doctor may approve of that.
I need your help
This row cannot go ahead, and act as a platform to raise monies for my charities without the generous support of sponsors. Please visit the sponsor me section and make a real difference. Thank You.
The Boat
Pegasus is an Rannoch R25 ocean rowing boat. She is surprisingly small at around 6.7 metres long with a solo sleeping compartment aft, and a storage area forward. Solar panels provide electricity to operate the navigation equipment, auto steering, charging the satellite phone and running the all important water maker.
It is simply not possible to carry enough water for the Atlantic crossing and as such the water maker is a vital piece of equipment which uses reverse osmosis to convert sea water into drinking water. This equipment is so vital that a manual back up water maker is also carried.
A capsize is a ever present danger out on the ocean. Pegasus is designed to self right as long as the water tight hatches are kept closed, this is essential at all times. She is hull number R25/1 so the first R25 built, capable of being used as a pairs or solo boat.
Purchase your very own mile
Please purchase your very own mile! There are approximately 3,000 miles to row from la Gomera to Antigua. I am asking you to
purchase one or miles. Each mile costs £30 and I will advise you which is your mile(s) and the you will be able to track me on the
YB app (which you can put onto your phone) as I cross your mile. just go to the I need your help link and donate £30 or £90,000 if
prefer :-) all miles purchased go to fund the row.
Please purchase your very own mile! There are approximately 3,000 miles to row from la Gomera to Antigua. I am asking you to
purchase one or miles. Each mile costs £30 and I will advise you which is your mile(s) and the you will be able to track me on the
YB app (which you can put onto your phone) as I cross your mile. just go to the I need your help link and donate £30 or £90,000 if
prefer :-) all miles purchased go to fund the row.