Four men in a boat say: Atlantic here we come!
Christmas 2024 will be like no other for three members of Dell Quay SC.
If all goes according to plan, Jon Wilburn, Steve Potter and Jason Howard, with long-term friend Dan Dicker, will be almost two weeks out into the Atlantic, competing against 40 other crews in the World's Toughest Row.
With just over a year to the departure date, Jon and Steve displayed the 28-foot canoeshaped, self-righting ocean rowing boat Saltie to DQSC club members - plus the complex array of equipment and stores they will be slotting into every available space.
And they revealed the formidable statistics of the enterprise: they will row 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Antigua, and have to pull on their oars 1.5 million times to complete the route.
More than 50 club members turned up to look at the boat - which, under previous ownership, has already crossed the Atlantic twice and hear how Jon and Steve got involved, the challenges they face and the comprehensive safety arrangements. Some went on a trial row.
A unique aspect of the effort is revealed in its name, Lessons from a Boat. Both Jon and Steve are teachers - Jon at Springfield, Portsmouth, and Steve recently retired as head of Westbourne Primary.
They will be streaming live interactive lessons en route to schools. Among topics they will cover are geography, weather, human impact and the scientific work they'll be undertaking.
"We want to reach out to primary and secondary school children in a really meaningful way," Steve said.
The World's Toughest Row has its origins in the 1966 Atlantic crossing by Sir Chay Blyth and John Ridgway, which inspired Sir Chay, three decades later, to organise the first race. It has continued under different names and organisers.
The costs are substantial, but the team are also keen to support charities close to their hearts, including Diabetes UK.
Anyone who can help should contact jonathan.wilburn@springfield.uk.net or steven.potter62@icloud.com. The training programme is well under way, with lots of gym sessions and a good start to the 120 logged hours of rowing required.
"We're not among the first do do this," said Jon. "But a lot fewer people have crossed the Atlantic in a rowing boat than have climbed Everest."