Highs and Lows of an Ocean Rower
( Last Updated: 16-01-2008 )
From the title I guess you are expecting an insight as to what's cool and what's not so cool out here in the Atlantic; next time I promise some gossip! No, the highs and lows I'm referring to are the tremendous waves you get out here in the right conditions.
With 15-20 knot winds the swell increases and the waves grow in size. After a few hours you're faced with typical 3-meter high swells. Lately though we've been experiencing waves of 30 foot and more (10 meter). As you rise up the face your stomach lurches, the boat picks up speed and you are born up high with such ease. You feel like a lord as you crest the foaming tops and look down on the other swells bearing down on you. Then with equal ease you are plonked down the other side, usually surfing and you find yourself in the trough between the giants. All of sudden you remember you are only in little ocean rowing boat. But it's only a moment before the mountain of water bears down on you again and your stroke rate increases as if you're trying to escape it... you never do, so the same sensation occurs all over again.
It's beautiful and terrifying at the same time and an experience I shall treasure. Although if you suffer from vertigo then you might not agree with me!
George Oliver on Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger 16 Jan 08