Video: Oundle rowing pair set to cross Atlantic
A pair of intrepid Oundle rowers are set to take on the challenge of a lifetime by paddling across one of the Atlantic ocean.
A pair of intrepid Oundle rowers are set to take on the challenge of a lifetime by paddling across one of the Atlantic ocean.School technician Richard Box and detective inspector Michael Birchall will spend more than 50 days at sea this winter as they attempt to row across the Atlantic.
This story also featured in The ET's Pride in Peterborough on Monday, 1st June 2009.
The duo, both members of Oundle Rowing Club, will face strong winds, huge waves and even deadly sharks in their 3,000 mile trek from the Canary Islands to Antigua.
The pair will only have a seven metre long boat – named Dream Maker – for shelter as they battle through the elements in their quest to raise 50,000 for the NSPCC, their rowing club and Oundle Rugby Club.
Today Michael (43) said: "I always thought there was a big adventure in me somewhere.
"I thought about climbing Everest, but am scared of heights. I heard that rowing the Atlantic was possible, so thought it would be worth a shot."
The pair will have to tackle strong currents taking them off course and adding hundreds of miles to their journey.
They will also face the prospect of Christmas at sea, as they set off on their trek in December.
Father of three Michael said: "Christmas will be very difficult.
"A lot of crews take out small presents from home to open on the day, and we will have a satellite phone to keep in touch with friends and family, but it will not be the same."
Richard (25), a technician at Prince William School, in Oundle, said: "It is going to be incredibly tough.
"We will be rowing for two hours on, two hours off every day while we are out there.
"I think the sleep depravation will be the hardest thing while we are out there.
"But it is so different from normal rowing, it is something very new."
While they are out on the waves they will have to cook their own food, using a special stove stored at the back of their boat.
And for large amounts of time they will have to row in the nude, because as the salt water gets on the clothing it can rub quite badly with the skin.
Richard said: "We cannot prepare for a lot of the things we will face out there, but we are making sure we do as much rowing as possible, to make sure we are in perfect shape. We still have a few months left, so we should be OK when we get out there."
To sponsor the team, visit www.oarsomechallenge.co.uk.
How do you eat on a boat?
THE pair will have to eat between 7,000 and 10,000 calories every day during their voyage – more than twice the normal daily allowance.
To cope with the demands of the gruelling journey, they will be taking 90 days worth of dehydrated food, similar to that used by soldiers on the battlefield.
To re-hydrate the packs of hot-pots, pasta and rice dishes, they will use a special solar powered desalinater to turn the sea water into fresh water.
They will also rely on sweets, chocolate bars and energy bars to give them quick boosts of energy during the long days.
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Saturday 20 March 2010
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