Challenge

The crew is having to under ago a lot of training and preparation. Breaking a World Record is no easy task so it is paramount that the crew are prepared for all that can be thrown at them.

The first is fitness. How does one go about training for such a challenge? Well with a lot of effort, time and sweating. It’s all about semi-preparing the body for the rigorous stress and strains it is going to go under. Whilst building up a very high level of fitness the crew members will also have to pack on a certain amount of extra “baulk” or surplus fat to help supply the body with a larder of energy to draw upon in times of need preventing the body drawing upon our muscle mass which we’ll need for the rowing!

Secondly knowledge. We have to find our way across the Atlantic Ocean, picking our way across in the most efficient way according to the weather conditions. We’ll be taking into account the weather, wind direction, sea temperatures, and currents both at present and in our destined direction. All we will try and use to our advantage. There is also safety- dodging storms and large tankers that can’t stop is crucial and therefore we take all the precautions necessary to avoid a collision.

To help back this all up, we’ll all be attending courses in Sea Survival, First Aid at Sea, Navigation at Sea and a Land based Yachtmasters, providing the crew with a high level of competence.

Finally, to test the boat we carry out self righting tests or roll tests, making sure the boat will re-right itself with all the crew inside the cabins. This is one of the most important safety design features and it is paramount that a rowing boat crossing the Atlantic should have this ability. The crew also have to complete a 48 hour stint at sea, prior to shipping of the boat out to La Gomera. Delays in the re-designing and building of the boat have seen us miss our original dates for this but we plan to complete a long endurance row in the near future. This may well be Cornwall to the Scilly Isles or Wales to Ireland so watch this space.