This December, five Worthing Rowing Club members will attempt to row the Atlantic to raise money for good causes - will they make it? We’re rooting for them...
Atlantic Splash is the story of five ordinary men taking on an extraordinary adventure. No top-drawer rowers, seasoned round the world adventurers or professional athletes, just a bunch of good friends from the south coast of England, all of whom are usually to be found in coastal rowing boats, racing all around the Kent and Sussex shorelines. Four of the crew are members of Worthing Rowing Club. This time, however, the boat and the challenge are slightly different…
On 2 December, Bastien Leclair, Marc Aldermen, Neal Marsh, Terry Munson and Tom Hyland will take on the test of a lifetime: The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. The men will depart from San Sebastian de La Gomera, Canary Islands, in an endeavour to row across the Atlantic. Throughout the 3,000-mile journey to the finish line in Antigua, following the route once opened by Columbus, the team will face tropical storms, 50 foot waves, physical and mental exhaustion, marine life and daily cohabitation on board a vessel less than 10 metres long – not to mention 10 to 12 hours of rowing in a continuous night and day two-hour shift pattern.
The crew anticipate that they will complete the 3,000 mile crossing in under 50 days (weather permitting) and are aiming to publish an account of their exploits, adventures and mishaps on their return.
The Team Atlantic Splash story started in September 2012. As with many crazy adventures it was born around a few celebratory pints, in this instance at the end of a long and successful rowing season. Since that day, the team have all spent most of their free time at Worthing Rowing Club, topping up their fitness levels on rowing machines and working hard to improve their technique on the boat.
Although the team members are physically fit, this challenge will lead them through a whole new level of training, dedication and sacrifices.
As they forge ahead, the team’s training routine will include a lot of running and rowing, extensive training on the boat, advanced theoretical and practical training to prepare for their time in the open ocean, days on end at the gym, building fitness, core muscle strength and stretching themselves to maximum flexibility. Gruelling team-building exercises will also help them to prepare mentally for the difficult times ahead.
The Atlantic Splash team have raised just under £50,000 to date towards the anticipated £90,000 cost of their challenge. Through their efforts they are seeking to raise £200,000 for four main charities – Great Ormond Street Childrens’ Hospital, The Tall Ships Youth Trust, The British Heart Foundation and The Macular Society.
To find out more about the adventure, follow the crews progress or donate to their cause, go to www.rowtheatlantic2013.co.uk Follow them on twitter@atlanticsplash
