Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Challenge, Dec 2009

Submitted by Jules on Thu, 19/11/2009 - 09:50.

Sport

On Sunday 6th December 2009 teams of rowers will set off from San Sebastian in La Gomera, one of the Canary Islands to cross the Atlantic Ocean, as part of the Woodvale Atlantic Challenge finishing in Antigua, a distance of approximately 2,900 miles!

The event is unsupported, and will test the teams to their limit of mental and physical abilities, this crossing is known as the ‘World’s Toughest Rowing Race’. The rowers will need to row alternate two hours on then two hours off for 24 hours a day. The start date in December takes advantage of the winds and currents but the rowers will still face 50ft waves, oil tankers and sharks! There will be two support yachts constantly following the fleet of rowers for emergencies but upon any assistance, they are then disqualified from the race. The event has to be completed unsupported which means that the boats will have to have all of their supplies on board when they depart La Gomera, this is a challenge in itself.

The current race record was accomplished in 2006 when a 4 man crew (All Relative) completed the race in 39 days and 3:35, they missed out on the world record by 3 days. The event attracts people of all levels of fitness and experience, to ensure each team has the necessary skills to survive the crossing they will have to complete some marine courses for navigation, sea survival and first aid.

Race Organiser

Woodvale Challenge Ltd are based in Cornwall and were formed by Simon Chalk in 1999, Simon had already competed in Atlantic Rowing Races and since founding the company he then crossed the Indian Ocean single handedly. Woodvale Events are the prominent race organiser for this extreme challenge, almost 60% of the Atlantic Ocean crossings to date have been organised by Woodvale.

Naked Rowers!

Rich Hume and friend Tom Barnes will be completing the race naked as this cuts down on chafing! Rich is a personal trainer who was ranked amongst the top ten in the Triple Iron Man Triathlon 2008, incredible for a man who as a child was told that he wouldn't be able to take part in sports due to a 93% curvature of the spine – it just shows with hard work and dedication you can achieve anything. The pair are raising funds for Ataxia UK, a good friend of theirs James Downie has the incurable condition – they have already raised £72,000 for the charity. You can find more information about Rich and Tom on their website www.rowingtheatlantic.com, Tom who hadn’t rowed before starting training for the event said that his only fear for the race was seeing Rich naked!! The team arrive in La Gomera on Friday for scrutineering and hope to have two weeks local training before the race start.

Teams

So who is game for a life changing adventure this year? This year’s 33 confirmed teams are predominantly from the UK but also France, Denmark, USA, South Africa and Canada, please have a look at their websites and their chosen charities, they are all competing for a good cause and would welcome a sponsorship donation!

Teams of four:

Catherine, Laurence, Quitterie & Laurence www.atlantique-au-reminim.com

Annie, Melanie, Rob & Jake www.atlanticworldfirst.co.uk

Dale, Graham, Andreas & Jonny www.gamrie4.com

Dom, Benjy, Andy & Paul www.insightatlantic.com

Teams of two:

James & Dean www.heartofthewarrior.co.uk

Ole & Brian

Joe & Chris www.rowingadventrure.co.uk

Tom & Will www.atlanticrowyt.co.uk

Phil & Ben www.visionofcornwall.co.uk

Simon & Joe www.atlantic09row.com