Mid Atlantic Boost for Oyster Shackers
( Last Updated: 13-01-2008 )
For the past week the five man crew of Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger, historically know as the Atlantic Six, that is attempting to break the fifteen year old record for rowing the Atlantic, has been steadily passing the tail enders of the Atlantic Rowing Race that left La Gomera in the Canary Islands twenty one days before them. This has given them a tremendous morale boost but nothing to compare with passing the halfway mark just before noon on Friday (11 Jan).
Psychologically this was a real shot in the arm that took most of the crew by surprise. The exception was skipper Simon Chalk, who has been in this situation before, but he was happy to lead the celebrations - a second snack bar and photos all round to mark the time and occasion. Triathlete Mike Martin took the opportunity of the brief change in routine to go for a swim and clean the boat's hull in preparation for a speedy second half.
A quick second half is needed as Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger reached the half way a day later than their target. To beat the current record of 35 days 8 hours and 30 minutes they need to arrive in Antigua before 8.30 pm GMT on Sunday 27th January just a fortnight away. This may seem a tall order but experience suggests that the second half is invariably rowed quicker than the first. Favourable weather is the key to success and until recently Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger has had to row across wind and wave as they strive to head both south and west. Thankfully the last two days has seen a welcome change and they have had two of their best days so far - a further boost to morale.
Crew member Mike Martin said: "It's great to watch the GPS and see the distance to Antigua shorten with every stroke". While George Oliver said: "We've got our heads down and our tails up as we go flat out for Antigua. We've given ourselves a tough task but 1,100 miles in 14 days is possible given favourable weather".
The crew row in shifts throughout the day and night. Musing on the joys of night rowing, crew member Ian Couch wrote: "Close your eyes. Imagine the feeling of utter darkness. You are on a roller coaster without rails that drops you, picks you up, tips you and sprays you with very little notice of what you are doing with the oars. It's exciting, awe inspiring and one of my greatest memories so far. At the other end of the scale is the calm, cool, moonlit night when the boat flies. That's night rowing."
Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger's key sponsors are full of praise for the crew. Tim Stubbings, South West Regional Development Agency's Corporate Marketing Director, said: "This is a great achievement to be on track for the world record. We wish the crew good luck and good weather for the second half." Leadbitter Regional Director Rob Bradley said: "We have been really impressed by the determination and ambition of the team. They have managed to overcome the challenges they have been faced with and are doing extremely well having reached the half way stage in excellent time. We are confident that the team will break the record and wish them every success with the remainder of the challenge."
The crew are rowing in support of Wateraid and are most grateful to those who have donated to this very worthy cause. They also welcome messages of support. You can follow Oyster Shack's progress, make a donation or send a message to the crew via www.atlanticsix.com.
Ends 13 January 2008
Notes for Editors:
1. Crew. The five crew members are: Simon Chalk, 34, from Devon; Ian Couch, 37, from Suffolk; Mike Martin, 23, from Surrey; George Oliver, 27, from Bristol (an assistant quantity surveyor for Leadbitter)and Ben Thackwray, 27, from Leeds. The crew originally set off on 5th December as the Atlantic Six, but an injury to Andy Morris, the sixth member of the crew, in the first 24 hours forced them to abort the attempt.
2. Boat. Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger was designed and built by Woodvale Challenge in Ashburton, Devon. She is 29ft 6ins long and 6ft wide. Made of carbon fibre and Kevlar she is strong, light and has excellent self-righting ability. The crew carry all their supplies and provisions on board as the record attempt must be made without outside assistance.
3. Charity. Wateraid (www.wateraid.org.uk) provides safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people.
4. Sponsors. Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger's title sponsor the Devon based Oyster Shack restaurants chain. Boat builders Woodvale-Challenge made a substantial contribution as did the South West Regional Development Agency (www.southwestdra.org.uk) and Leadbitter Construction, a leading construction company in the South West (www.leadbitter.co.uk). Several other organisations and individuals have sponsored the project in cash or in kind.
5. Record Attempt. Two other boats are at sea hoping to break the record. To find out more information about La Mondiale and Orca's attempt please visit the following websites - www.oceanrowevents.com / www.atlanticorca.com. La Mondiale is set to arrive in Barbados towards the end of this week.
6. Atlantic Rowing Race 2007. Also out on the water are 20 other ocean rowing boats consisting of solo's, pairs and fours competing in this year's Atlantic Rowing Race. The race, which started on 2nd December 2007 from La Gomera, Canary Islands will finish in English Harbour, Antigua in early 2008. Please visit www.atlanticrowingrace2007.co.uk for more information and to track the rowing boats across the Atlantic Ocean.
Press: For further information or to obtain photographs please call Richard Oliver, Base Support for the Atlantic Six on: Tel: 01380 812368 Mob: 07974 816947 E-mail: rao@lineone.net.