This week finds most, if not all, of the Atlantic Ocean Rowing Race fleet stuck on their sea (para) anchors in the grip of a pretty vicious weather system that is giving them all a fairly solid battering. Quite apart from the frustration of no progress towards Antigua, and in most cases, miles being blown backwards which will have to be rowed all over again – the teams have to cope with probably the most uncomfortable conditions that they will encounter.
The sea anchors work very effectively when deployed from the bow, turning the boats’ noses into the prevailing conditions and helping the rowers to quite literally ride out the storm. Unfortunately …Â Details & Pictures
PHUKET: Two Phuket kayakers are getting ready for a spot of exercise: the world’s longest paddling expedition, a 14,000-mile voyage from Phuket to California in a 20-foot wooden boat.
American Ryan Doran, 26, and Phatum Thani born Piya ‘Mr X’ Sukunthai, 28, plan to leave Nai Harn Beach on March 10 – and they won’t be back for a while.
During their paddle, which they expect to … Details & Pictures
They call it the Graveyard of the Pacific. Heavy seas and unpredictable weather. A rugged, lonely coastline. Countless ships and sailors taken by its fierce storms and jagged rocks. Westward, nothing to see but North Pacific swells, until Hawaii finally climbs above the horizon. Men have sailed the route for centuries. Now, one man will put his trust in his legs, his heart, and his mind to make a historic journey.Â
In June, 2010, Greg Kolodziejzyk will attempt to become the first person in history to navigate this notorious stretch of ocean under his own power. His plan pedal a custom-made state-of-the-art human-powered boat 3000 miles across the Pacific Ocean, from Victoria, Canada to Hawaii. The world-record attempt is expected to take between 40 to 80 days.
In this 2 part video, Greg Kolodziejzyk, Jordan Hanssen and Ken Fortney take WiTHiN human powered boat to Vancouver Island for sea trials.
WiTHiN sea trials hilights video
WiTHiN Vancouver Island Sea Trials Part 2
The intrepid crews in this year’s Atlantic Rowing Race have now been at sea for 3 weeks. Their last sight of land will have been over 2 weeks ago, and life at sea will now seem ‘normal’ as they run their time along well established daily routines and perhaps start to feel the thrill of their new lifestyle subside a little. Â
It’s worth remembering that the average sailing boat can make it across the Atlantic in around 3 weeks, yet these tiny rowing boats are only around a quarter of the way across in an equivalent time. I’ve heard sailing friends tell tales that … Details & Pictures