Commercial product photography/

Posted on January 30th, 2012 by admin

We’re on the side of the Sara G, supporting the team all the way!

Don’t forget to show your support too, click here to find out more
Tweet Atlantic Odyssey to keep them going @AtlanticOdyssey or like them on facebook

— Read more

Posted on January 25th, 2012 by admin

We’ve heard from Aodhan, who has given us an update on life on the Sara G. He tells us about the challenges, lessons and skills they have had to face during the Atlantic Odyssey Challenge… Take it away Aodhan!

“Three of us here on Sara G (Simon, Ian and myself) consider ourselves to be rowers by trade and with a combined total of over 70 years involved in the sport there is plenty of experience to bring to the table. Long before we pushed off into the ocean from Morocco we knew this was not going to be anything like river rowing but were confident that our strength as long serving oarsmen had to be of benefit to the speed of the boat. Now over 3 weeks into the crossing I can safely say there has been more to learn about ocean rowing than meets the eye. Our experience as river rowers has certainly helped the speed of the boat which allowed us to adapt quickly to the new requirements of movement. More importantly because we haven’t had much luck with following winds and swells so far we have been able to keep Sara G clipping along at a decent pace by rowing her like a river boat on the days and nights with flat seas – keeping us in contention for the record.

Surprise lesson number one came for us in the first few days of the trip – ocean rowing is in fact a contact sport. If there is one additional piece of personal kit I wish I had brought with me it would have to be shin guards. During those first few days we met some angry and unpredictable water which threw us about like rag dolls. Every two hours on deck was horrendous with our oars hitting us like a couple of baseball bats from all angles or pinning limbs to the deck while the force of the wave tried to crush it. We looked a sorry state at the end of the first week with injured knees and hands and more bruises and gashes to the shins than anyone could count.

River rowing is often seen as the quest for a perfect stroke. In ocean rowing there is no such thing – just strokes, and a hell of a lot of them. There is no clear defined way to move the boat effectively – the river rowing handbook has to be thrown in the drink at this point. All those fundamental principles are quickly forgotten. No more long flowing strokes with quick catches and clean finishes – but rather better to just get whatever oar you can into the water and pull.

Depending on the conditions the best way to move the boat can be combinations of short strokes or rowing with one hand only. The sea has a funny way of toying with you out here – once you think you have established the best way to move the boat in certain types of conditions you suddenly find that it no longer works and have to find a new style again. There is more than one way to skin a cat and in ocean rowing there seems to be an infinite number of ways to move the boat – as a result the two separate teams of three have developed completely independent rowing styles and would find it hard to mix in with the other group at this stage.

One of the most enjoyable new skills we have learned out here has got to be the surfing. I never imagined that an 11 metre long boat weighing well over a tonne could ride breakwater the way Sara G does – when you catch a good wave it’s an amazing sensation and you watch the speed reading treble in a matter of seconds sometimes.  Our fastest surf so far has been 10 knots and I think it may go a lot faster still as I’ve been told that the boat has hit as high as 19 knots in the past. Moving around these big swells we have all developed an adept touch handling the boat while maintaining a fingertip light grip on the oar handles – something I would not have imagined beforehand.

It’s been a running joke on the boat asking each other what they’re old rowing coach would think if they saw them rowing out here – and it would certainly be funny to see if any of us brings some ocean rowing moves back to the river when it’s all over.”

Don’t forget to show your support, click here to find out more
Tweet Atlantic Odyssey to keep them going @AtlanticOdyssey or like them on facebook

— Read more

Posted on January 24th, 2012 by admin

Still going Strong! The fabulous Atlantic Odyssey team on the Sara G are still rowing – The crew are now under the 1000 mile marker! Can you believe it?!

Don’t forget to show your support, click here to find out more
Tweet Atlantic Odyssey to keep them going @AtlanticOdyssey or like them on facebook.

— Read more

Posted on January 18th, 2012 by admin

Snapshots from the sea!

A photo update from the Atlantic Odyssey at the half-way hurdle! 1,355 miles done – well done team!

Don’t forget to show your support, click here to find out more

Tweet Atlantic Odyssey to keep them going @AtlanticOdyssey or like them on facebook

— Read more

Posted on January 10th, 2012 by admin

The crew have rowed 783 miles (680nm) to date at 7:00am this morning. What a team!!

Want to show you care and donate? Click here to find out how.

Don’t forget to show you support and tweet Atlantic Odyssey to keep them going @AtlanticOdyssey or like them on facebook

— Read more

Posted on January 8th, 2012 by admin

The Atlantic Odyssey Challenge is well underway, it’s day 5 and the teams are doing well. There are 24days left and they have covered a staggering 531 miles!

They are battling with sea sickness, bruises and blisters, lack of sleep, adverse weather conditions and rowing in pitch black, but still going strong – and your messages and support is helping!

For a full update on their progress, click here, see live progress, listen to phone casts and view all the photos from the expedition so far.

The expedition is in aid of Have a Heart’s Childline Appeal. ‘Have a Heart’ is the charity of the Heart radio network, and aims to improve the lives of children living in the communities. The Atlantic Odyssey is also going to support ChildLine – the freephone and online service, offering support and advice for any child who has nowhere else to turn.

Want to show you care and donate? Click here to find out how.

Don’t forget to show you support and tweet Atlantic Odyssey to keep them going @AtlanticOdyssey or like them on facebook

We would like to wish the Atlantic Odyssey Crew the best of luck in their great expedition.

— Read more