Atlantic Ocean Welcomes Rowing Race Start

16 crews are aiming to beat the record of 41 days

The boats resemble overblown rowing skiffs and are designed to carry a crew of two rowers 2,900 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to Barbados. The Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race started on Sunday with sixteen crews aiming to beat the record of 41 days set by New Zealanders Rob Hamill and the late Phil Stubbs in 1997.

This is one of the most recognized of the ocean rowing races and ranks with other extreme sporting activities. Since the challenge was first raced in 1997 the event has enabled 111 individuals to row the Atlantic placing them in a group of people smaller than those who have climbed Mount Everest.

In 2001 the race was won by Steve Westlake and Matt Goodman of New Zealand. Westlake and Goodman just missed out on the event record, finishing in 42 days, and they have returned this year to beat the 41-day record.

The teams cover six nationalities including a debut entry from Barbados. Many of the teams have little rowing experience. One of two women competitors Faye Langham of Great Britain has been rowing since 2001 and says, “It was too good an opportunity to miss. I love rowing.” She is teamed with co-worker, Andy Giles and together they have been training twice a day.

Competitor Kevin Biggar of New Zealand’s second crew has no doubts about the toughness. “Shackleton said to his crew; ‘nothing will ever be hard again’.  We’d like to be able to say that at the end,” says Biggar. Also making up one of the sixteen teams are a father and son combination from South Africa, George Lambert Porter and George Lambert Porter Jnr.

The 24-foot identical plywood boats are fitted internally to the crews’ own preference but predominantly using the same sliding seat and sculling oars that operate in standard rowing boats.

Most crews will cover the distance by rotating through two-hour shifts each alternating sleeping and eating with rowing. The event is timed to catch the most favourable weather conditions in the Atlantic with favourable currents and prevailing winds, but crews must be prepared to expect any kind of weather including up to 50 feet waves.

Safety is a key factor and mandatory equipment includes GPS (global positioning system), life raft, life jackets, flares and EPIRBs (Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon). The teams also carry iridium phones, which will allow them to make calls mid-Atlantic to friends and families and to fellow racing boats.

To follow the race log onto: www.woodvale-events.com