Team Northern Atlantic 2011

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…