Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger on Track to Break World Record
( Last Updated: 31-12-2007 )
Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger and her crew of five have had an excellent first week at sea and are on track to break the longest standing ocean record for rowing the Atlantic Ocean, which currently stands at 35 days 8 hours and 30 minutes. This was set by an eleven strong French team in La Mondiale in 1992.
Oyster Shack’s crew, originally known as the Atlantic Six, are: Simon Chalk, 34, from Devon; Ian Couch, 37, from Suffolk; Mike Martin, 23, from Surrey; George Oliver, 27, from Bristol and Ben Thackwray, 27, from Leeds. They set out from La Gomera in the Canary Islands at 12.05 hours GMT on 23rd December 2007. To beat the record they must make landfall in the Caribbean before 20.35hours GMT on Sunday 27th January 2008.
Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger is not the only rowing boat out in the Atlantic at the moment. Also trying to break the record are two other boats that set off from Gran Canaria on 15th December 2007. One is La Mondiale, the same boat that currently holds the record, but this year with a British Irish crew of 14 headed up by Levan Brown. The other is a four man American crew rowing a new tri-maran called Orca.
At noon yesterday, exactly one week out from La Gomera, Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger had covered 478 nautical miles compared to the 304 nautical miles covered by La Mondiale and Orca in their first week.
Chris Yandell – Managing Director of The Oyster Shack restaurants at Salcombe and Bigbury, and title sponsor of the Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger, commented:
‘We are all watching their progress with enthusiasm here at The Oyster Shack and are with them every stroke of the way. This is a monumental record being attempted by a great team with a fantastic boat we have every faith that they will bring home the record.’
Amanda Claridge, from Woodvale Challenge, who built the boat, commented:
‘The team are in great spirits after putting in a good week on the oars. Having started with a rigorous shift pattern of 3 hours rowing and 2 hours resting for the first few days they have now settled into a more complicated routine consisting of 12 hours rowing and 12 hours resting in any 24 hour period. This will enable them to get proper rest so they are on top form on the oars. I am proud of what they have already achieved and remain confident in both their ability, and that of the boat, to make landfall in the Caribbean within 35 days.’
With less than 27 days to go, the record is definitely there for the taking. You can follow their progress at www.atlanticsix.com and www.atlanticrowingrace2007.co.uk
Ends
Notes for Editors:
1. 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.
2. The crew originally set off on 5th December as the Atlantic Six, but an injury to a member of the crew in the first 24 hours forced them to abort the attempt.
3. The Oyster Shack crew are rowing to raise funds for Wateraid (www.wateraid.org.uk), which provides safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people.
4. In addition to Oyster Shack Restaurants and Woodvale Challenge, Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger is sponsored by 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. To find out more information about La Mondiale and Orca’s attempt please visit the following websites - www.oceanrowevents.com / www.atlanticorca.com
6. 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 either Richard Oliver, Base Support for the Atlantic Six on: Tel: 01380 812368 Mob: 07974 816947 E-mail: rao@lineone.net or Amanda Claridge, Woodvale Challenge on: Tel: 01364 644432 Mob: 07864 288609 E-mail: Amanda@woodvale-challenge.com