Warming up to row Indian Ocean

Lovric and Zovko will be the first Croatians to cross an ocean by rowing and they plan to do this in the inaugural race that is due to leave Western Australia in 2009. It finishes on the island of Mauritius, Port Louis, about 3100 nautical miles later.

In the 24-hour period Lovric and Zovko covered a total of just under 300km. “This row wasn’t about going as hard as you can, we wanted to portray as closely as we could the rowing pressure and conditions that we will have during the ocean race,” says Lovric.

The point of greatest pain for Lovric throughout the row was his butt. “Those erg seats are not human after five hours. I tried a lot of different stuff as padding and I found that a combination of a thick mouse pad and a small towel was really useful to keep you dry and not slipping off the seat.”

Unlike rowing the open ocean, in his time off Lovric would chat with his team members and friends and watch movies. Then later in the 24 hours, and more in line with ocean racing, Lovric would eat and sleep.

Lovric says it is difficult to know what to expect from the ocean race. “We are all different and nobody (psychologist, trainer, etc.) can tell you accurately how you will respond to the severe sleep deprivation, physical and mental exhaustion and anxiety of being 100 days on a five metre boat.” Lovric remains training with the Croatian National Team as preparation while Zovko is erging, rowing and doing weights daily. “We are also taking classes in navigation, math, radio, search and rescue and ocean cartography,” says Lovric.

The 24-hour row also served as a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital in Zagreb and specifically for the burn victim unit. This unit was chosen by Zovko as two years ago he had an accident where 30 per cent of his body was burned. After the accident Zovko, who had previously done no professional sport, used rowing to help him recover.
 
“We want to show people that life doesn’t end for people who have experienced disasters and especially those little kids who need help and strength to go on in life after their tragedies,” says Lovric. “I always had a soft spot for kids and humanitarian work and I also always wanted to do something extraordinary and extreme and adventurous in my life.”

The event was held in the hospital.

Meanwhile Lovric has another goal. He is still aiming to compete at the Beijing Olympics.