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Oyster Shack completes fastest crossing to Antigua

 

Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger left Marina La Gomera, Canary Islands at 12.05 hours GMT on 23rd December 2007 with the aim of breaking the world record for rowing the Atlantic, which then stood at 35 days 8 hours and 30 minutes. While they were at sea, a 14 man British/Irish crew in La Mondiale (the French boat that had held the record since 1992) set a splendid new time of 33 days 7 hours and 30 minutes.

At 17.58 hours GMT (13.58 local time) on 29th January 2008 Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger pulled into the marina at Nelsons Dockyard, English Harbour, Antigua and stepped on land having completed the crossing from La Gomera in 37 days 5 hours and 53 minutes. The last 48 hours proved to be the hardest of the journey as the crew had to row into a light headwind and a head current. Any crossing of the Atlantic in a rowing boat is a fine achievement but it takes something special to record a really fast time.This is the fastest recorded crossing to Antigua and the fifth fastest crossing of the Atlantic from East to West, the five fastest crossings having terminated in Barbados. It was also the first, and will no doubt be the only, crossing by a five man crew.  To see videos of Oyster Shack at sea click here.

Oyster Shack was built by Woodvale Challenge Ltd, which has a worldwide reputation for constructing ocean rowing boats. Oyster Shack Ocean Challenger is built of carbon fibre and Kevlar making her strong and light. She carries the latest in power generation, water desalination, self steering and communications equipment but she is driven solely by the power, determination and resilience of her five man crew of ocean rowers and endurance athletes, who must complete the journey without external assistance.

 

The boat takes its title from the Oyster Shack chain of restaurants in Devon. Other major sponsors are South West Regional Development Agency and Leadbitter. The crew are rowing for Wateraid, which provides safe water, and education in hygiene and sanitation to the world's poorest peoples.

 

Please use the links in the site to send a message to the crew, follow their progress and make a donation to Wateraid.