Comedian completes epic row across the Atlantic
Four people complete epic feature which included Christmas Day at sea
A comedian from Kirkby Mallory was reduced to tears from seeing land for the first time after spending 50 days at sea.
Justin Coleman 53, was part of the crew Heads Together and Row who took part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge 2018.
On December 12, Justin and his three team mates set off from the Canary Islands ready to take on the world’s toughest rowing race.
For 50 days, 22 hours and 38 minutes, Justin and his team were confined to a boat, battled sea-sickness, electric storms and tiredness for the sweet taste of victory.
Justin said: “I tried this challenge once before, 15 years ago, made a complete pig’s ear of it and vowed never to get in a boat again.
“But about four years ago I had a bad accident and came within hours of dying. It made me think about what I hadn’t achieved but really wanted to and it turns out that rowing the Atlantic was still very high on the list.”
The project has been almost three years in the making and is part of aca- demic research by Henley Business School into individual and team resilience.
Before leaving in early December, the fantastic four had to undergo a series of courses and endure 96 hours of sea trials to satisfy organisers of their competence.
Justin prepared by spending long hours on a rowing machine and seeking help from a psychotherapist to prepare him mentally with visualisation techniques and exercises to boost his mental strength.
He said: “We rowed two hours on and one hour off, with one longer break of five hours each day.
“Waking up after that sleep and having to go back on the oars required a huge amount of mental strength every time.”
If the strain from rowing long hours was not enough, the team were also amongst a 24-hour electric storm which Justin describes as like being underneath a waterfall.
However, being completely doused in water day-by-day was suddenly forgotten when the team got to see magnificent wildlife in their natural habitats.
Justin said: “High points included the amazing wildlife; whales, dol- phins and flying fish. The sunsets and sunrises were astonishing and the serenity of the ocean when calm was a joy.”
Despite being limited to foods and cooking facilities, Justin is one of the few ocean rowers to actually gain weight during the crossing, after snacking on chocolates and jelly sweets to boost his energy.
He said: “Peanut butter is the food of the Gods, loads of carbs and protein and a real energy boost without too much sugar.
“For my main meals it was all dried food, to which I just added water. My favourites were pasta and salmon and oriental spiced vegetables.”
Sleeping at sea did not seem to phase the funny-man either, who said it was surprisingly easy and once in position, he slept like a baby.
And although confined to a small place for more than seven weeks, Justin said the foursome got on remarkably well and stuck to their pact to always be patient and supportive of each other.
He said: “I was very happy being contained in my safe little environment with the two miles of sea to the horizon.
“I didn’t allow myself to think any further than that, either in terms of time or distance and took the view that we’d arrive when we arrived.
“If I did get stressed I disappeared in to my happy place until I felt better. As the journey went on, me and my happy place became quite good mates.”
It was seeing land for the first time in almost 51 days that overwhelmed Justin the most.
He added: “Seeing land for the first time made me cry. I couldn’t believe we’d made it and to the right place as well.
“Stepping on dry land was overwhelming and surprisingly difficult due to a combination of sea legs and having something in my eye.
“But we’d made it and we were heroes.”
The 3,000 mile epic challenge started in the Canary Islands and ended in Antigua and after crossing the finish line with sheer delight and relief, Justin said that will be a memory that will stay with him forever.
He said: “After the press and the hugs, I ate fresh fish and vegetables and just sat quietly contemplating what we’d achieved.”
After being asked what the experi- ence taught him the most, he added: “Firstly that I never want to do this again!
“And secondly, that my mind and body can do much more than I ever thought possible.
It was a once in a lifetime experience which I’m relieved and delighted to have finally achieved.”
Participators in the mammoth annual challenge have raised almost £6million for charities worldwide throughout the last four years.
Justin, Toby Gould, Jeremy Reynolds and Alison Wannell completed the ocean rowing event to raise funds and awareness for the Heads Together campaign charities Mind and Combat Stress as well as the Marine Conservation Society.
Justin said: “Raising awareness of these charities is hugely important. Far too many people suffer unnecessarily from mental health issues when there is help available.
“Far too many people take their own lives. Society needs to allow people not to feel so stigmatized when talking about mental health.
“Poor mental health is as much an illness as a broken leg and needs to be given the same level of support and funding.”