BYM Marine & Maritime News
A pair of British rowers have become the first modern day, independent oarsmen to row non-stop from Agadir, Morocco to Port St Charles in Barbados when they crossed the finishing line on 18 February in their 23ft rowing boat Atlantic Calling. David Whiddon and Lloyd Figgins have used the adventure to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – the charity that saves lives at sea – and are now the 20th pair to have rowed across the Atlantic East to West as part of the rowing challenge.
The intrepid duo managed the Atlantic crossing in an impressive after 60 days and 17 hours, completing what has been billed as one of the most gruelling endurance challenges on the planet. Along the way they have had some awe-inspiring moments: sightings of 10 rare pygmy killer whales, being surrounded by a pod of up to 150 dolphins, and rowing through phosphorescence under a full moon.
Their 3,300 nautical mile journey hasn’t all been plain rowing. The rowers have had to contend with treacherous storms with 7 metre waves, a crack in the hull, 3 near collisions with tankers, and nosey sharks. In addition, hallucinations and sleep deprivation have been a common element throughout their journey as the rowers worked on a two hour on/two hour off rowing shift pattern, so neither has slept for more than an hour and a half at a time throughout their challenge.
David Whiddon, an Inshore Lifeboat and Sea Survival Trainer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution said: ‘It has been a remarkable, once in a lifetime experience and we would like to thank our sponsor Everyone Active for helping to make it happen. The challenge has been incredibly tough at times but thoroughly rewarding. We have dedicated this row to all the RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers and crew past and present, who help to save lives at sea.’
The rowers hope to raise £24,000 for the RNLI’s Train One, Save Many campaign, which is close to David’s heart as he trains the volunteer crews in boat handling and sea survival.
David Whiddon said: ‘This target represents the cost of training the crew at just one lifeboat station per year out of the 234 that the RNLI operates but wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could raise more for other stations?’
The Atlantic Calling team believe that their success is down to their meticulous planning, specialist advice and support that they have been given over the last 18 months. Lloyd Figgins, Remote Field Safety and Risk Management Consultant commented: ‘We have been fortunate that many people have given up their time to help us prepare for this crossing and we can’t thank them enough.’
Indeed, their list of support has been impressive. Atlantic Calling’s patron is adventurer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who reflected: ‘I extend my congratulations to the crew of Atlantic Calling who have completed a remarkable journey. It represents the spirit and determination required to beat the odds and succeed.’
Bournemouth University’s Centre for Event and Sport Research provided psychological and physiological support. They brought together people such as Olympic rower, Bobby Thatcher and David Alred (Jonny Wilkinson’s kicking coach) to help provide training and focus. Celebrity and previous Atlantic rower, Ben Fogle even popped into the RNLI to see Atlantic Calling and provide advice.
Emma Kavanagh, Lecturer in Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences at Bournemouth University reported that the key to the rowers’ success was down to their positive mental attitude and communication, which they managed to maintain for much of their journey.
Chief Executive of the RNLI, Paul Boissier, said: ‘The RNLI are extremely proud of this courageous duo and their tremendous initiative. They have my upmost respect and admiration to confront the might of the Atlantic ocean. I am delighted to hear that they have arrived safely.’
Why not support their charity by visiting their website: ww.atlanticcalling.com. Photos and videos of their epic adventure will be uploaded as soon as the rowers recover their land legs!
Isla Reynolds
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 22 February 2012 )
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