PREPARING TO ROW AN OCEAN
100 % HUMAN POWERED ACHIEVEMENT
What makes a person want to row across an ocean, leaving the safety and comfort of their home? Perhaps it is a search for excitement and adventure, or perhaps is to prove one's own will and determination. In any case, facing the brutal power of the ocean environment while attempting something which is not only difficult but also features challenging and potentially dangerous scenarios, tends to be a life changing experience.
In recent years, ocean rowing has grown in popularity, in part due to the fact that it is a truly 100% human powered achievement. Crossing across an ocean has been undertaken by several hundred people as a huge aspirational achievement, following in the footsteps of Norwegians Frank Samuelsen and George Harbo, who rowed an open wooden boat from New York to France in 1896 in what is recognised as the first ocean rowing crossing. Since then, the majority of these crossings have taken place on the Atlantic.
Because of the dynamic of oceans, it is necessary to undertake an ocean row with the prevailing winds and currents. This means that an east to west traverse of the North Atlantic must be done in the lower latitudes to take advantage of the Trade Winds and currents, and a reverse journey done in the northern latitudes.
Below are a few samples of ocean rowing routes, and the length of time they take:
Mediterranean: Barcelona - Ibiza | approx. 3 days
Atlantic: Canary islands - Caribbean Islands | approx. 35 - 40 days
Pacific: San Francisco - Hawaii | approx. 40 - 50 days
Indian Ocean: Australia - Africa | approx. 80 days
Circumnavigating Great Britain | approx. 40 days
WHAT YOU´LL NEED TO LEARN
NAVIGATION
CHARTS AND HAZARDS
GPS TRACKERS, ASI
RADIO AND COMMS
SEA SURVIVAL
WHAT YOU´LL NEED TO TRAIN
MENTAL STRENGTH
PHYSICAL STRENGTH
TIPS
PREPARE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY
Regardless of the length of the crossing, you will need to start training in advance to give yourself the best opportunity to complete the event. Whilst attaining an acceptable level of rowing will not be too hard, there are many other things to learn. During an ocean row, you will experience a range of potentially extreme emotions perhaps repeatedly brought on by the physical exertion and adjusting to the schedule of approximately 2 hours rowing and 2 hours rest.
YOU MAY GET SEA SICK
Be prepared for constant motion and changing winds
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
Diet and hydration are a crucial part of row. Your body will be burning calories fast and in certain warmer temperatures losing a lot of water. Hygiene is critical as you will encounter blisters, sores and sunburns aggravated by the salt residue on your skin.
LEAVE OCEANS AS YOU FOUND THEM
Leave the oceans as you found them, and where possible help with the clean-up. The amount of rubbish in the oceans is a huge problem.
GET READY TO BE AMAZED
After you leave mainland and its light pollution behind you will see clear skies, shooting stars and gorgeous sunrises and sunsets. Depending on your crossing, you may encounter dolphins or other animals swimming by your side.
READY FOR THE CHALLENGE!
In 2013 NOMAN introduced the first ever ocean rowing races across the Mediterranean with the inauguration of the Barcelona - Ibiza race. You can sign up to the 2023 edition of the Barcelona – Ibiza ocean rowing races here: REGISTER
