Veteran rowers to cross the Atlantic in record-breaking attempt

A FROME man is part of a four-man crew who will attempt to break the world record for the oldest team of four to row across an ocean.

In December, the four-man crew, including retired accountant Mike Winn, will  take part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from the island of La Gomera in the Canaries to the island of Antigua in the Caribbean.

At the time of leaving La Gomera, Mike, John Moorhouse, Guy Munnoch and Steve Hughes – who call themselves the Ancient Mariners – will have a combined age of 257 years and 10 days. And if successful in their challenge, they will break the current Guinness World Record, which gives the combined age of the oldest team of four to row across any ocean as 223 years and 211 days. 

The group will be raising money for two charities, Blind Veterans UK and Open Arms Malawi.

Blind Veterans UK helps ex-service men and women of every generation overcome sight loss. They provide rehabilitation, training, advice and emotional support. Open Arms Malawi  provides care for Malawi’s orphaned and abandoned children, giving them the chance to achieve their potential within the love and  security of a home.

The challenge is expected to take between 45 and 55 days to complete, with the crew rowing a punishing schedule of two hours on and two hours off relentlessly around the clock. The Ancient Mariners will carry enough dehydrated meals and snacks for 60 days and will make their own drinking water onboard. 

Speaking to Frome Times, Mike said, “In undertaking the challenge, I am and will be way out of my comfort zone on so many levels. Although I have done a limited amount of river rowing and plenty of indoor rowing on Concept 2 machines, nothing can prepare me and my other crew members for rowing the Atlantic. 

“We will almost certainly experience extreme weather conditions and our regime of rowing two hour shifts for 45 to 55 days will certainly take its toll physically and mentally. However, I feel lucky to have been offered the opportunity to embark on such an adventure.

“As for my current state of mind, I am very excited about the prospect of the row but, at the same time am becoming increasingly nervous as December gets closer. 

“Currently, our focus is on preparing our boat for the journey – this involves procuring huge amounts of equipment, mostly aimed at ensuring our safety – added to this, we need to make decisions on the food and clothing required. When combined with the fact that there are a number of compulsory courses, which we must attend, as stipulated by the organisers Atlantic Campaigns, life is extremely busy. On top of all that, we have a strict training regime in place to ensure that our ageing bodies are in the best shape they can be at the start of the race.”  

To follow the Ancient Mariners’ story and to either sponsor the team or to donate to their two chosen charities, visit: www.ancient mariners.net