Scilly Boys Row for a Record
Four intrepid rowers from the Isles of Scilly have completed their first major step towards their world record breaking “Row for Home” from New York to the islands due to start on 1 June.
Chris Jenkins (43), Tim Garratt (26), Joby Newton (19) and Wayne Davey (30) have undertaken the first overnight sea trial of their boat ‘The Scilly Boys’.
The rowers plan to row the 2,835 nautical miles from the Statue of Liberty to the Bishop Rock light house in the Woodvale North Atlantic Challenge, which is described as one of the World’s toughest challenges.
If successful, they will be only the sixth crew to cross the North Atlantic from New York. They also hope to become the first team in history to row this classic route completely unassisted, and do it world record time.
According to team captain Chris Jenkins, the overnight sea trial, which saw the team row approximately 35 nautical miles in extremely challenging sea conditions, was the first full opportunity the team had to test the boat in its ‘sea ready’ condition.
Chris Jenkins commented: “We basically left St Mary’s harbour and rowed continuously in a two man on, two man off situation for 24 hours.
We have been preparing for the challenge for about 18 months, but to have the boat fully kitted out and out on the water, is a major step forward and is the culmination of a lot of hard work, planning and training.
The sea trial gave us an opportunity to test all of our electronic and safety equipment such as the AIS (Auto Identification Radar) – which will be vital throughout our journey – and make adjustments to kit where we needed to.
It would be fair to say the sea conditions were challenging, but that’s exactly what we need to prepare ourselves for what lies ahead and make a bid for the 55-day 13 hour record.”
During their record breaking attempt, the team will journey close to the Grand Banks of Newfoundland with freezing temperatures, ice flows and fog and will encounter the mid-Atlantic trade winds and potentially mountainous seas and 30ft waves.
Apparently it takes about a week for the body and mind to become race hardened, and without doubt it will be the hardest thing that any of us will have ever done, but we fully intend to row back home, safely, successfully and in a new world record time,” added Chris.
In addition to taking up the challenge, the team will be rowing for four nominated charities – the RNLI, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Above and Beyond – Bristol Special Care Baby Unit and Cornwall Air Ambulance.
People wishing to support the team through sponsorship and donations can do so by visiting www.row4home.com and clicking on the donations button.
* For canoe and kayak lessons, see our page on kayaking and canoeing in Cornwall .
