During the 1980’s on a visit to the local library I came across the book of John Fairfax who in 1969 rowed the Atlantic East to West. solo and unsupported. This was a 9500km row from San Augustan ( Canaries) to Hollywood beach in the USA. The trip was over a period of 180 days. A truly inspirational read which has always remained in my mind.
Then in 2007 a documentary about a modern ocean row rekindled the fire and I now couldn’t get the story out of my mind. So early in 2009 , I finally decided it has to be done, and so the plan was put into place. I very early on decided that if doing it, it needed to be something special, and so the idea of Australia to Africa came about.
The Plan
In April 2011 I will leave the shores of Western Australia on a course for South Africa. Can it be done? We already know that three solo rowers have made it to Madagascar and Mauritius. The earliest in 1971 by Anders Svedland who rowed from Kalbarri in Western Australia to Madagascar. The most recent row completed in 2009 by 24 year old Sarah Outen ( www.sarahouten.co.uk ) who rowed 7200km from Australia to Mauritius in 124 days. Clearly a route across exists. Now to find a way from Mauritius to South Africa. And no, I wont be stopping in Mauritius or Madagascar.
Make no mistake I have no illusions about how difficult the task ahead is. Up to 5 months of solitude, confined to a wet environment, the temperamental nature of the sea and eating a boring high calorie freeze dried diet day in and out.
All of life’s lessons will now come into play. Patience, perseverance, planning and an undying determination, all to result in success.
The hardest work starts now. An adventure of this magnitude doesn’t come cheap. It also will not happen on a part time basis. From 31st October 2009 my fund raising efforts will begin. Then from January 2010 I will pack in my day job and from here building the boat and fund raising will become my new fulltime occupation. More on my fund raising can be found on my sponsorship page.
You can follow my efforts on my blog page. From building the boat to the actual row . Today’s technology ensures that whilst at sea you will be able to monitor my progress on a live tracking system,which once the row starts, will be found on my web site , as well as a daily blog that I will post from sea.
Your support will be an essential part in the success of this adventure.
