On the 1st June 2013 four adventurers, that all hooked up via Explorers Connect, will attempt to row over 2000 miles around Britain non-stop and unsupported.
The GB Row Challenge is known as the Worlds toughest rowing race as the teams will have to navigate the busiest shipping lanes on earth and some of the most treacherous tidal passages. Eight boats are taking part in the race this year made up of teams of two, four or eight people. 100,000 will be awarded to the boat that breaks the record, 15,000 for the first boat home, 6,000 for second place, and 4,000 for third. The members of our mixed rowing team called Pure Gym come from across the UK Our skipper Claire Shouksmith is from Poole, Steve Paterson is from Oxford, Paul Pendleton is a Liverpudlian and Im from Bristol. Well be rowing two at a time in 2 hour shifts, 24 hours a day in an ex trans-Atlantic rowing boat named after our main sponsors. As we were not allowed off the boat until we finish the race, well be drinking de-salinated water and eating freeze-dried expedition meals plus snacks that will provide us the 4000 calories we need a day.
The record for rowing around Britain is 26 days and was set by four Grenadier Guards in 2005. In 2010 Explorers Connect founder Belinda Kirk and her all girl crew set a Womens team World record of 51 days. We are hoping to be the first ever mixed crew to complete the race. Ive no idea how long it will take us, it will depend on how lucky we are with the tides and weather. Its going to be extremely tough, both physically and mentally, but knowing that were doing it to raise funds for five worthy charities will keep us going.
We have set ourselves a massive target of raising 75,000 for Cancer Research UK, Evelina Childrens Hospital Appeal, Claire House Childrens Hospice, The Childrens Society and The Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust. If you would like contribute to our fund-raising appeal, please click on our website www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/pure-row.
You can follow our progress via our website www.puregym-gbchallenge.co.ukand our facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Pure-Gym-GB-Challenge If any Explorers Connect members would like to cheer us on, the race starts from Tower Bridge in London at 8am on the 1st June!
Hope to see you there! Otherwise, please wave to us from the coast as we circumnavigate Britain!
ingrid.kvale@gmail.com