A Feat often refered to the Everest of the Sea. Although not many people have succeeded in rowing across an ocean, particularly by themselves, many have tried.
According to history the first people to row across the Atlantic were Frank Samuelson and George Harbo, in 1896. After leaving Manhattan, New York, they arrived in Le Havre, France, via the Scilly Isles, 55 days later. Their navigation was via sextant using the stars (not by GPS like us modern day rowers) and had no waterproof shelter. These were the days when men were men.
The first solo crossing was completed by John Fairfax in 1969, taking 180 days. The second crossing was completed only 8 days later by Tom McClean, despite having left nearly four months later than Fairfax.
MODERN DAY ROWS (pussies compared to the Historic Rowers)
Recently the move was made to differentiate Historic Rows vs Modern Day Rows. The main difference being that those regarded as historic rows carried their own water and Modern Day rowers typically use Solar Energy to charge batteries which in turn run Water Desalinators - which turn Salt water into fresh water. What difference does that make you might ask? Well we all know that water is heavy and the more you cary the heavier the both and therefore the harder it is to row!
According to Wikipedia By the end of the 2008 climbing season, there had been 4,102 ascents to the summit of Mount Everest by about 2,700 individuals. This compares to the current Ocean Rowing stats from the Ocean Rowing Society that only approx 300 successful crossings of any Ocean this is solo or team - less than 100 of these have been by Solo rowers. Nearly 50% of all solo-ocean rows have not been completed. Although in most of these the rowers were rescued, it must not be forgotten that the cost of an unsuccessful row may sometimes be the rower's life. There have been seven recorded deaths of rowers at sea, and a monument in their memory can now be found at Kilkee in Ireland.
My Challenge the Tasman Sea - Both Ways!
In completing the two rows I will become the first person to row the Tasman both ways.
East - West
I intend leaving in Early 2013 from Hokianga Harbour on the Northern West Coast of New Zealand and intend to land somewhere south of Brisbane, Australia in less than 63 days to beat the record set in 1977 by the Legend Colin Quincey.
West - East
I intend leaving in September/October 2013 from Southern NSW (possibly Eden), Australia and aim ideally for New Plymouth, New Zealand in less than 53 days to beat the record set in 2010 by the Legend Quincey Junior - Shaun Quincey.
I want to beat these records, but it would be foolish of me to set out expecting to beat them, if the ocean doesn't want you to beat the record, you'll have absolutely no chance whatsoever.
