Rowing an ocean somewhere

At present, dotted around the oceans of the world, are those that partake in the sport of ocean rowing.

British, Americans and French are the main participants of this sport with the Ocean Rowing Society monitoring the events and recording the records. The attempts include organised races with boats of up to eight participants to individuals going solo from unique starting and finishing points. Setting a first is a strong motivator and extra status seems to go to the solo rower.

The rowers thrive on technology that enables them to stay in touch. They post blogs, receive emails and their exact position can be monitored by anyone with an internet connection. Often they are fundraising with medical issues being high on the list.

Last year seven rowers crossed oceans, five of them were solo. Already this year Paul Ridley, 25, of the United States has completed a row. Ridley spent 87 days rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in memory of his mother who died of cancer. He became the youngest American to row the Atlantic and he fundraised for cancer research.

Out on the ocean at present is Great Britain’s Oliver Hicks. Hicks left the tip of Australia’s southern island of Tasmania and has spent 70-plus days moving sometimes forwards, sometimes backwards in his attempt to break the mother of all frontiers. Hicks is attempting to circumnavigate the globe at 50 degrees South. He has planned for the trip to take about two years.

Originally Hicks had hoped to begin his adventure from the southern tip of New Zealand, but maritime authorities used their power to prevent this as they deemed it an unsafe voyage with a high chance of rescue being needed. Australian marine authorities do not have the same power.

Meanwhile 22 solo rowers are racing across the Atlantic Ocean from Senegal to French Guyana. The French-organised race is unique in being only for solo rowers. They are racing in identical boats without assistance.

Great Britain’s Sarah Outen, 23, has just departed on attempt number two, to become the first woman to row solo across the Indian Ocean. Outen began her adventure in March but had to abort it after 10 days and 25km from shore when her communication equipment failed. She left Western Australia on 1 April with Mauritius her planned destination. The row is 6,000km and Outen expects to take about 100 days. Outen is rowing for arthritis care.

Later this month adaptive rower, Angela Madsen will take part in the 2009 Woodvale Indian Ocean Race. Madsen has already completed the Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race and for the Indian Ocean race she is part of a team of eight. They will leave Western Australia on 19 April along with solos, pairs and fours.

Ocean Rowing Society: http://www.oceanrowing.com/index.htm