Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this report from Cowes Week. In their own words, Ed
Despite hailing from the land-locked Midlands Simon Chalk is a veteran of five ocean rowing races.
One of the most experienced ocean rowers in the world he was the official Race Safety Officer for the 2011 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
During Aberdeen AM Cowes Week he gave daily talks to the public recalling his fascinating adventures. Simon was ever ready to answer any questions the public posed.
3,000 mile challenge
Over a distance of almost 3,000 (land) miles the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge starts from La Gomera in the Canary Islands. Rowers then head for either Barbados or Antigua.
After competing in the 1996 Global Challenge Yacht Race run by Chay Blyth, Simon got talking to Chay. In 1996 Chay Blyth along with John Ridgeway had rowed the Atlantic so Simon took up the challenge of Atlantic Rowing in 1997.
Simon mentioned rowing was more a case of overcoming a mental state rather than a physical barrier. Competitors can row in various combinations from solo, pairs or crews numbering 4-15. He warned that crews of 4 are more likely to face friction issues between members. Surprisingly the more on board the easier it is to settle problems.
Each rowing boat is equipped with a GPS system and a tracking beacon, very much needed as after the first twelve hours of a race, competitors are unlikely to see another rowing boat until the destination is reached.
Vital equipment
One of the most important pieces of equipment is the water convertor. By a process of reverse osmosis up to 20 litres of sea water per hour is made drinkable. Only 10% of food supplies are “wet” the rest is freeze-dried so water is very important as the average rower needs to consume some 8,000 calories a day. Sometimes it is not possible to consume enough food in the day and competitors often finish the race three stone lighter.
Currently the record crossing is 32 days. In 2005 James Cracknell and Ben Fogle encountered very bad weather- a fact documented in a TV documentary.
For Aberdeen AM Cowes Week several rowing boats were on display at the Talisker Boathouse in Cowes Yacht Haven and members of the public were invited to row with Simon. One of those taking up the challenge was Chris Carnegie from Cowes Week Radio who joked that it would take him 12 hours to row to Southampton!
