OARSOME! PALS ROW ATLANTIC
SCHOOL friends have embarked on a gruelling challenge which will see them row more than 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean. John Morgan, Hugo Thompson, Monty Williams and Joel Wood, all from Caerleon, decided to take to the high seas in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
They set off on December 14 from the Canary Islands and are expected to reach Antigua in the Caribbean early next month.
The foursome, known as Team Oarstruck, spent Christmas Day and New Year on open waters, but their dedication has paid off, as they have now passed the 1,000 nautical mile mark.
Of the original 27 teams who started the race, four have so far needed to be rescued.
Team member Monty said: “The hardest thing so far has been the weather and the night rowing, with 25ft waves pushing us about for seven days in a row.
“Overcast skies made it hard for our solar panels to produce enough electricity so we had to revert to hand steering and getting soaked by waves all night.”
The friends, all 26, are hoping to raise more than £50,000 for charity Diabates UK after team member Hugo was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 2015. He is aiming to become the first person with the condition to row unaided across the Atlantic.
As well as hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity, they want to inspire other people with diabetes to achieve their goals.
Hugo said he has managed to keep his diabetes under control during the challenge, but the rest of the team have been trained to deal with any issues along the way. They have been able to keep in touch with family back home through satellite phone.
The group survive on dehydrated packet food and in between rowing they have been fishing along the way.
Monty said: “We’ve caught a few dorado fish and a small tuna; it really breaks up the day and makes everyone feel good. We filleted the fish and cured it in lemon juice and salt and ate it in small strips.”
Team member Joel said they had also come into contact with exotic marine life and even had an encounter with a shark.
He said: “Another boat had reported being followed by two sharks earlier in the race. Then we had a big shadow following us about two waves back, just under the surface. It looked about three metres in length, but thankfully it didn’t stay for long.”
The National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru Dai Williams paid tribute to the four young men and thanked them for their amazing effort to fundraise for the charity.
He said: “Team Oarstruck are an awe-inspiring group of young men and we are truly humbled by the lengths they are going to for our charity.
“We hope Hugo’s story shows others with Type 1 diabetes that being diagnosed with the condition does not need to hold you back in life.
“1,000 nautical miles is the first major milestone on their journey and a fantastic achievement. We wish them the very best of luck with the rest of their voyage.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/ oarstruck to make a donation to Team Oarstuck’s fundraising challenge.