Team Northern Atlantic 2011

This past weekend I (James Caple) flew out to Antigua for a weekend visit (Mike Altarace stayed back this trip). It was short and sweet, I did not miss work, nor did I have to take any vacation days to go down. The Atlantic Rowing Race ’09 is drawing to a close and I wanted to get down there (Antigua) to talk to Simon Chalk and any ocean rowers who might happen to still be lingering around; I also wanted to see some ocean rowing boats in person, as well as just simply experience the magic of English Harbor. Come to find out it was Sailing Week when I was down there, so there were tons of huge sailing yachts and lots of sailing folk from all over the world. My only regret is not being able to stay a couple of months longer…

I had a brutal layover at JFK Airport on my way home from Antigua to DC, so I checked in my carry-on and took the train in to Manhattan to walk around. I ended up in Time Square where there were plenty of lights at 1230 at night.

On my flight back I finished Tori Murden’s book, ‘A Pearl in the Storm’, about her solo ocean rowing attempt across the Northern Atlantic and then across the Tradewinds Route. I thought her book was excellent: I marked it up and dog-eared a number of the pages like it was a text book or something.

Today Charlie Pitcher wins the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race of 2009! This is a very significant achievement as he’s finished ahead of all other boat classes in the racing fleet as a solo rower, which includes two- and four-person boat teams. It took him just over 52 days to complete his crossing. This is just an amazing achievement, and a really strong testament to the new boat design he was able to commission specifically for this race.

Team Northern Atlantic are equally excited about Charlie Pitcher’s performance as we are hoping to have a similarly designed boat built for our row across the Northern Atlantic next June. Our hope is that since Charlie Pitcher was able to row the Mid Atlantic Route in just over 52 days as a solo rower, with troublesome storms at the beginning of his race to boot, we stand a chance, if only a chance, at beating the 55 day, 114 year-old record over the Northern Route in a similarly designed pairs boat. That is, of course, unless Simon Chalk and Team Britannia III (a twelve-person boat) don’t claim the new speed record for themselves this June. In which case, I guess Mike and I will have to row all that much harder!!!

Here’s to the journey, men!

Today we secured our first down payment on a new boat build with Global Boat Works in Devon, UK. If all goes well, they will start building our ocean rowing boat for us around May of this year. We are cautiously optimistic about having a new boat built as it is a time and energy consuming process, not to mention money consuming as well (hint, hint to potential title sponsors!). But it sure beats building a new, or renovating a used, boat ourselves! We realize it will probably be a difficult process, especially dealing with a boat builder overseas, but we believe the pain incurred now will pay dividends next year when we set off on our unassisted row across the Northern Atlantic from Battery Park, New York City to the Isles of Scilly. Jamie Fabrizio, the boat builder at Global Boatworks, comes highly recommended by all I’ve talked to in the Ocean Rowing Community. I’ve also seen some of his boats in person, like James Burge and Niall McCann’s ‘Komale’, at the Bristol Zoo, and Dave Clarke’s ‘Positive Outcomes’, in Macclesfield, and definitely understand the reason for the high praise he receives for his work. Moreover, Global Boat Works have also designed and built Charlie Pitcher’s solo boat, which is now less than 300 miles from Antigua in the Atlantic Rowing Race 2009, and who, incidentally, is leading the whole fleet by a healthy margin (especially given that he is rowing solo).

So today we begin a journey, in earnest, to make it into the history books by beating the 114 year old speed crossing record of 55 days set by Harbo and Samuelson in 1896. It’s crazy. We are undoubtedly in over our heads and probably more than just a little bit naieve about most aspects of this challenge. Nevertheless, it’s serendipity, if not synchronicity, that we find ourselves at this point in time with this crazy notion of rowing across an ocean to chase Harbo and Samuelson’s 55 day crossing record. And personally, just like in rowing an ocean, I’ve had head winds and some gales to contend with prior to getting some good forward momentum on this project. But now, at least for now, it feels like a wind is starting to build and blow us forward a bit. Steady as she goes!

The Global Boat Works Team

Is anyone else following the Atlantic Rowing Race ’09 as amazed as I am that solo rower, Charlie Pitcher, is leading the fleet after the first week at sea?

http://www.atlanticrowingrace09.com/progress/

Something tells me that the future of ocean rowing boat design is about to drastically change.

The 2009 Atlantic Rowing Race is about one hour away from starting (January 4th 1348 GMT).  I’m looking forward to watching the tracking dots over the next several months as teams inch their way across the Atlantic from La Gomera to Antigua.  The start has been a long time coming this year due to adverse weather conditions.  In 2007, the Atlantic Rowing Race got it’s start on December 2nd.

http://www.atlanticrowingrace09.com/progress/

Race Prognostications for the Solo Category:

In the solo category, Leo Rossette, the only American rowing in this category, is my local favorite.  Hailing from Boston, MA, Rossette is a Retired US Marshall who has attempted the row in the past but failed to complete it due to medical complications.  He’s a dark horse, but being the one American in the race, he’s the one I’m pulling for.  His competition will no doubt be tough as Charlie Pitcher (UK), rowing a one-off boat design, Peter Van Kets (SA), who rowed the race in 2007-2008 once already in the pairs category (and won his category no less, taking second overall), and the younger competitors David Brooks (UK) and James Ketchell (UK), who have the obvious advantage of youth, should all prove to be very stiff competition.  The fighting Irishman, Sean McGowan, is an unknown; however, it’s never wise to underestimate the Irish.  There’s also the unconfirmed rumor that Roger Haine’s partner, Tom Lee, had to drop out of the race, and that Roger is still planning to race in the solo category.  Roger and partner rowed in the Indian Rowing Race in April of 2009 but had to drop out due to injuries.

I thought having to race a couple of hours late was well neigh intolerable, but the poor souls awaiting the race start of the Atlantic 2009 Rowing Race are having to wait about a week-and-a-half beyond the scheduled race start.  So, while we await the start gun, here’s another original composition.  This one is more rowing related:

A Rower’s Winter Lament

Amongst a field of British rowers, and a hand full of French, sits a lone 59 year old American (not including Anne Miltenberger rowing with Team Britannia III) from Boston, Massachusetts, Leo Rossette. Leo is fixin’ to row solo across the Atlantic in his row boat, ‘Halcyon’, as a competitor in this year’s Atlantic Rowing Race. Slated to start this coming Sunday, December 6th, 2009, the Atlantic Rowing Race is undoubtedly one of the toughest rowing races around. Nevertheless, taking part in a rowing race, sponsored and supported by Woodvale Challenge Events, is understandably a safer way to get your ocean rowing adventure on.

If you recall, Leo attempted to row the Gran Canaria to Antigua route earlier this year, around the same time Paul Ridley was setting off, but had to cancel the row due to health reasons. I called Leo, sometime after he had returned stateside, to chat with him a bit about what went wrong with his first attempt to row the Atlantic. He indicated that in addition to some stomach problems he was having prior to his departure, he suffered from severe sea sickness which prevented him from keeping anything down, including fluids, which led to severe dehydration, muscle cramping, etc. Sounds wonderfully miserable, does it not?

Woodvale built his boat, ‘Halcyon’, for him. Woodvale also packed the boat with food and supplies and shipped it to La Gomera to await Leo for his first solo attempt across the pond. Now, Leo is taking another crack at the challenge, but this time as part of a fleet of ocean rowing boats all vying for a top finish position across the finish line in Antigua.

As I think about Leo’s second attempt to row the pond, and as I ponder Leo being only one of two Americans competing in this Winter’s field of competitors, I can’t help but wonder why the American contingent is so small. Perhaps Americans are so concerned about doing their part to buttress the Global Economy working (or looking for work), that taking part in such ‘frivolity’, such self-centered adventure, is simply unthinkable? Or are we simply a nation who has conquered all and are now simply content to kick-back and enjoy the fruits of our labor, drinking beer, watching TV and accumulating more wealth? Or maybe Americans on the whole are simply too practical to expend time and wealth on such adventures? I’m not sure why Adventure Rowing is not more of an American phenomena, especially in light of the fact that ocean rowing was started by two American Norwegian immigrants (Harbo and Samuelson) in 1896. I wish it were. We need to continue our diligence in keeping British maritime dominance in check. That’s a joke, come on.

As for myself, I’d love to be competing in this Winter’s Atlantic Rowing Race. I’ve dreamed about it almost daily for over a year now. Unfortunately, my financial position got hammered by the economy this year, which made buying a $40k ocean rowing boat a bad move for me and my family. Secondly, convincing my wife, and mother of three (ages 12, 10 and 6), that allowing me to spend 2-4 months at sea in a tiny ocean rowing boat is actually a good idea for all parties, is no small undertaking. I know, excuses, excuses. These are merely set backs in my opinion, however, not roadblocks…necessarily (my wife does scare me, however).

In contrast, Leo is a retired U.S. Marshall. He’s also got tons of money from his Government Pension. That’s a joke, come on. As I understand him, his wife is not all that happy about him rowing the ocean, but tolerant of his plans. As usual, best to get on with it and ask for forgiveness later.

So good luck to Leo this go around on the Atlantic – and God’s speed. Go USA!

Last night, my parents and I went to hear Colin and Julie Angus speak at a National Geographic Live sponsored event.  Colin and Julie talked about their adventures riding their bikes and rowing their custom designed (and built) row boats from the top ‘o Scotland all the way down to Syria.  When they were unable to row, they rode their bikes, towing their boats behind them on custom made boat trailers.  When they rowed, they disassembled their bikes, stowed them in their boats, and went rowing.  It looked like an amazing way to travel through Europe (which included the UK, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, etc.) and to see the country-side.  Their trip took them about 7 months to complete.

They had one of their boats on stage and I got to take a pretty close look at her after their talk was over.  It looked like a stitch-and-glue ply construction with a single sliding seat rowing position built-in (the rowing position was conspicuously closer to the stern than the bow).  The bow section was used for stowing their bikes and other gear, so I’m sure getting the weight distribution correct was not easy to figure out.  The boat has a wing rigger, which seemed to be constructed of wood.  I wish I could have taken a picture of it, but Nat Geo Live!, sadly, do not allow pictures. WHAT IS UP WITH THAT!!!!

All-in-all, I came away from this talk excited about future adventure rowing possibilities.  I think this winter I will build-in a sliding seat rowing position in my dory for my next attempt to row across the Chesapeake Bay – an adventure that seems like child’s play comparatively speaking, so I need to get ‘er done.

Here’s a video lifted from AngusAdventures.com:

I saw Roz Savage tonight at the National Geographic Live! in downtown Washington D.C. (corner of M Street NW and 17th Street), where she gave a talk on ocean rowing and the ethereal pursuit of personal happiness.  Her talk kicked-off the first in a three-part series of National Geographic Live! talks centering around the ‘Quest for Adventure’.  I purchased tickets for the entire series, as I am hoping to live vicariously through the presenters…

Roz’s talk was interesting, but I felt I was already familiar with most of the material and information presented this evening, as I have been reading her blog for some time now.  All of the videos she showed were straight from her blog and/or from the Woodvale and AOR sites.  Note to self – if I ever get around to rowing an ocean, keep a secret stash of pictures and videos, not available online, for in-person presentations.  Nevertheless, the material was perfect for the intended audience.  Besides, I never get tired of the video where she has to cut her para-anchor free in the 2005 Atlantic Rowing Race.

Most of all, I am struck by the brand Roz has created around herself and her rowing.  She now has a book out that she is selling and she’s been traveling a heck of a lot since finishing the second leg of her Pacific row.  And with the ‘Roz Savage’ brand comes a message of environmental awareness and concern, which is a cool thing to witness.  Some dude in the audience tonight asked if she was related to ‘Doc Savage‘ (yes, it takes all kinds).  The ‘Savage’ part of the brand is rather appealing to a wide audience.

I might be wrong on this, but I got a sense that Roz might be done with Ocean Rowing after completing the final leg of her Pacific Row; I also got the sense that her 2005 Atlantic Row was much tougher than she anticipated, but I’m sure that’s the case for all who endeavor to row an ocean. I imagine Ocean Rowing is one of those things that’s nearly impossible to adequately train for – you just gotta do it.  Feel the sweet pain and relish the journey!

I took note of her comment that once she got the idea in her head, she just had to do the row to get over the idea – there was just no way around it.  Dave Clarke put it to me like this: ‘once you get the idea in your head [to row an Ocean], you’re knackered!’.  It seems to be true.

I wish I could post some pictures of the event, but National Geographic is really anal about preventing photography and video recordings at these events.  National Geographic, your anti-photo and video taking policy at these events sucks.  Bloggers are adventurers too…or something like that.

Finally, I received a strange email today containing a YouTube link to this video, which is my rowing team’s ultimate retribution for me not going to the Head of the Charles this year – yes, Roz Savage, who has never met me, calls me a ‘woos’!! Be still, my heart! Also notice how excited she becomes when she hears I am coming to hear her speak in DC.

There seems to be quite a bit of Ocean Rowing activity by Americans as of late.  There’s Paul Ridley, who is less than 1000 nautical miles from Antigua as I type.  I had a brief email chat with Katie Spotz who is planning to row this December from Senegal, West Africa to French Guiana, South America.  She relayed to me that she had just taken part in an ocean rowing training activity somewhere on the West Coast on March 2-8, 2009.  It seems, also, there is a strong US contingent in the Indian 8 boat Simon Chalk and Ian Couch have put together to cross the Indian Ocean this April.  Wow, the Indian Ocean Race is in a few short weeks!  Safe passage to all entrants, especially Simon Prior, who was in my boat at the Woodvale Training Row in Plymouth last September – which, incidentally is the closest I’ve come to rowing any ocean so far.

I have to admit a twinge of envy as I read about all the folks preparing to row an ocean this year.  It’s such a monumental accomplishment to get to the starting line of an ocean rowing race, and even more so if going it alone.  I’m envious and in awe of the people who are able to pull it all off!

As a rower of racing boats, I tend to prefer calm waters for rowing.  As a result, I have an inherent tendency to curse the wind.  So much so, that even when home, on a night much like tonight when I feel a stiff breeze blowing, I tend to get uptight as the wind portends to ruin tomorrow morning’s rowing practice.  And similarly, when the winds of diversity kick-up, I tend to curse the wind even more.  There has been alot of wind, so to speak, blowing against me and my plans to row the Atlantic in 2009.  I first had to come to grips with the whole idea within myself.  Did I really have what it takes to row 60-70 days across an ocean?  Indeed I did, was my conclusion.  I did due diligence in researching the topic, talking to people, getting the feel for boats, etc.  I then had to convince friends and family that this was a good thing for me to be doing.  All the counseling I received from family, and most friends, was that this is clearly the wrong predicament to put my family in.  I agree, of course, but am somewhat blinded by the sheer excitement and adventure of it all!  It truly is difficult for me to put the idea to rest and to stop obsessing about the whole thing.  But for my continued sanity, and the sanity of my loved ones, I feel I must.

I think it’s really important to step out of one’s comfort zone from time-to-time; but, maybe it’s also important to know when NOT to try to step out of your comfort zone.  Perhaps that takes just as much courage and wisdom (ok, maybe not, but I like to think so).  To those with the good fortune, support, courage and, let’s face it, luck, to row across an ocean – I salute you!!  I wish it could be me as well.  But in the end, I’m not a rower that really likes the wind.

I arrived in London on Friday, September 5th, 2008, on a mission to look at ocean rowing boats, live-and-in-person, as well as to participate in Woodvale’s Training Row to be held on Plymouth Hoe in Devon. My first objective was to get a train and head to Truro, Cornwall, to visit Bob Warren, the owner of the ocean rowing boat, ‘Spirit of Cornwall’. Bob and his partner Chris Barrett were about 150 miles out of Antigua in the 2005 Woodvale Atlantic race when their boat was pitch-poled by a large wave, which unfortunately was able to fill the cabin up with water forcing the team to abandon their boat just heart-breaking days before finishing the race. ‘Spirit of Cornwall’ has been housed in Bob’s Dad’s shed since her return from Antigua.

Barn in Truro, Cornwall home to the 'Spirit of Cornwall'

Bob and Charles Warren showing 'Spirit of Cornwall' in Truro, Cornwall

After a really nice visit with the two of them, Bob and Charles, I then headed over to Plymouth in Devon to participate in Woodvale’s Training row on Plymouth Hoe.

The Plymouth Hoe

Plymouth Hoe is famous for the likes of Sir Francis Drake, the Pilgrims, and Charles Darwin, to name a few maritime greats traveling in and out of this harbor. Unfortunately, I do not think my visit to the Hoe will be recorded in the annals of British History. Nevertheless, this visit was amazing and Plymouth is a really beautiful little port town.

The Woodvale Plymouth Training Row Gets Underway. Those bald firemen are intimidating...

The Plymouth 'Pura Vida' Team - Simon Prior, Jody Le Bredonchel, Chris Pearce and James Caple.

Neil Gyllenship and Ben Kirkpatrick take 'Oyster Shack' for a spin.

Rowing the Hoe in 'Pura Vida'. Is Chris rowing, talking or singing...probably all of the above.

This is the German War Ship we had to row up to as our warmup. Definitely something ominous about seeing a German flag in the Hoe. We dare not get too close lest we had to outrun them...

The Support RHIB, 'Nemo', with skipper Simon Chalk trying to make some waves...

Sleeping on board 'Pura Vida' while she is moored, secretly hoping I don't wake up somewhere in the middle of the ocean.

Sign at Queen Anne's Battery on a beautiful Sunday morning.

Woodvale's Boats Moored As Seen From Queen Anne's Battery

A statue at the beginning of Queen Anne's Battery near the Aquarium. Perhaps a warning for us ocean rowing aspirants telling us not to be shellfish!

After our row on the Hoe, I then took the train the very next morning up to Bristol where I was graciously shown around the ocean rowing boat ‘Komale’ by James Burge, who rowed with Niall McCann in the Woodvale 2007 Atlantic Race.

James Burge and Komale at Bristol Zoo.

James and Niall Row for Gorillas.

After scrutinizing Komale for a while, it was time to head back to London for some much needed rest and a bath, after not having bathed for two days but I seriously doubt anyone could tell it…

The following day, Monday Sept. 8th, I got up at 0345 to catch a taxi back to Paddington Station, where I in turn caught the underground to Euston Station to catch the train to Macclesfield (up near Manchester) so I could take a gander at Dave Clark’s new solo build, ‘Positive Outcomes’. Just like ‘Komale’, ‘Positive Outcomes’ was built by the talented boat builder Jamie Fabrizio. Dave Clark rowed the Atlantic solo in 2008, although not part of any sanctioned race or regatta. This was Dave’s third time crossing the Atlantic, and he hopes to do it again, but the next time in a sailboat again.

Dave Clark's Solo Boat, 'Positive Outcomes'.

Dave Clark’s nephew, Gary, graciously picked me up at the train station and drove me to the boat. After poking and prodding her a while (I was absolutely amazed at what a clean, well-built boat she is), Gary took me back to the train station, where I re-traced my steps back to Paddington Station. At this point, Paddington Station was starting to feel like an old friend. I picked up some souvenir trinkets for my kids, caught the Heathrow Express to the airport and had plenty of time to check in and review the last four days in my head while waiting for my flight and connecting flight home. Now I have to talk things over with my family and see which way the wind blows…

This weekend I talked to my Dad briefly about my plans to row the Atlantic. I told him I was flying to the UK to take in an ocean-rowing seminar and possibly see some boats. He said I should use that money to go see a Psychiatrist. Maybe he’s right…

Today I got my race packet from Woodvale containing information about the race, boats, raising money, etc. I feel more like one of the competitors now. I’m totally stoked!!

Also, I just got back from vacation where I had a chance to unwind a little and do some serious introspection about things; you know, had a talk with the Everywhere Spirit about things. I feel like I am closer to being able to answer Why? I want to do this race. It truly is a hard question to honestly, accurately and adequately answer.

DAY 1

This week I’ve begun putting together a campaign, in earnest, for entering the Atlantic Rowing Race 2009, organized by Woodvale Events in the UK. As of today, I plan on entering the the race in the solo class, meaning I plan to row the Atlantic, from La Gomera, Spain to Antigua all by myself! Should be quite a challenge. There is lots to think about, plan and do; lots of money to raise, and many odds and ends to buy, including a boat! I’ve already talked with and emailed lots of fascinating people, and look forward to meeting and engaging many, many more. This will be a great exercise in bringing this Software Engineer out of his social shell to face many and varying degrees of social and physical challenges. I am very excited about this project!

This is really day 1 for me in my bid to row the Atlantic. While I’ve been contemplating the possibility of doing this race for nearly a year, today is the first day I’ve actually said to myself that I can and WILL do it – solo! And that is really the first and most important step (next to throwing this WordPress Blog up, of course). So please check back here soon and often to follow my progress as I prepare to become one of only a handful of Americans who have rowed the Atlantic (East to West), solo. Let the journey begin!