Aberdeen Boat Club has celebrated the arrival of a craft which will take two city residents across the Atlantic next year.
Health professionals Robert Strachan and Duncan Brown are taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, which will see them row from La Gomera in the Canary Islands across the equator to Antigua. They will set off in June 2015.
They are aiming to raise money for two charities important to them. Robert is raising money for the Heritage Foundation, which helps with support for families with children in hospital. He suffers from asthma and says his parents could have used this support when he was in hospital.
Duncan suffered from brain problems from birth and it was expected at one point he would not be able to sit exams or lead an independent life. He credits the fact he is able to compete in this race to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, which is where his share of the donation will go.
They aim to raise £100,000 between them. Sponsorship so far has come from Pure Gym, Petrofac training services, Vroon offshore services and Weyland Yutani Engineering.
The two friends met eight years ago at the boat club. One night they were watching James Cracknell and Ben Fogle’s DVD of their crossing of the Atlantic and something clicked.
They both knew then that was something they would do one day and are regarding the adventure as the pinnacles of their careers. Robert commented: “I might never row again. I might sleep for the rest of my life.”
As more people have climbed Everest and been in space than have rowed the Atlantic, it is seen as the ultimate test of endurance.
The two men spoke at the weekend about the difficulty of the task ahead and what has motivated them to do this.
The boat is 23ft long and 6ft wide, which means they won’t be able to walk about freely on board. They will have a GPS tracker but otherwise contact will be limited.
The record for the journey is 38 days but in order to make this progress weather has to be favourable. As part of the conditions they are given 90 days of food, which must be rationed if they exceed that time, if they require extras they will be disqualified.
They are still seeking sponsorship and general advice from anyone who can help. To get involved contact info@rowingforrascals.com.