Dartmoor Twins Prepare for Atlantic Crossing
Twins Hugo and Ross Turner from Dartmoor, are hoping to set two world records as they join their university friends to take part in the world renowned Atlantic Rowing Race, aiming to raise £150,000 for Spinal Research.
By taking part in the 3,000 mile trans-Atlantic crossing between the Canary Islands and Barbados, the Atlantic4 crew will set the world records for the youngest four-man crew and the first twins to row across any ocean in the world.
The inspiration to raise £150,000 for Spinal Research came from crew-member Hugo Turner. At the age of 17, Hugo’s life changed forever when a freak accident at a beach in Rock, Cornwall caused his C7 vertebrae to be crushed. The severe damage to his spinal cord meant Hugo needed to undergo surgery for neck reconstruction.
After a long and painful recovery Hugo was finally able to walk again. Six years on, at the age of 23, Hugo is now putting his injury behind him and joining his twin brother Ross, and two close friends, Greg Symondson and Adam Wolley, to embark on a potentially life threatening challenge to raise awareness and funds for Spinal Research.
“My life was put on hold for two years – they said I would never be able to play sport again. By rowing the Atlantic I want raise vital funds to research a cure for paralysis. I am fortunate enough to able to attempt to row the Atlantic and realise how close I was to being paralysed – this will be a very personal challenge for me at every level.
“Since my injury, Spinal Research has been a charity that I have become very passionate in supporting as they fund pioneering research for the effective treatment of spinal injury. Their work is invaluable to the 40,000 people who are affected by spinal injuries and in supporting their families.
“Rowing the Atlantic will be a personnel mile stone for me as this would see a void in my life fulfilled.”
Before they depart on the 4th December, all crew members will undergo extensive sea survival skills, remote first aid and navigation training before they can make the attempt. The crossing is unassisted which means the crew will have to be self-sufficient and carry with them all of the equipment and food that they will need for their journey.
Along the way the crew will pull approximately one million strokes, have to deal with cramped conditions, constant exposure to the elements, painful salt sores and blisters, powerful storms with waves of up to 30 feet, and the biggest threat of all – collision with one of the many shipping vessels occupying the Atlantic. There is no room on board for home comforts, no bathroom facilities, limited cooking ability and a diet of high calorie expedition foods and snacks. They will drink desalinated water and sleep in a space smaller than a single bed.
For more information on the Atlantic4 and to keep up to date with their progress, please visit www.theatlantic4.com. You can also sponsor the crew online at www.justgiving.com/theatlantic4
You can learn more about Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding medical research around the world to develop reliable treatments for paralysis caused by a broken back or neck, by visiting www.spinal-research.org
