Rowers gear up for Atlantic epic

4:25pm Friday 10th October 2008

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TWO South Lakeland rowing crews are preparing to face a gruelling challenge rowing thousands of miles across the Atlantic Ocean in aid of charity.

The two teams will take part in the Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Challenge next year, which will see around 30 teams start from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on December 6 and finish 3, 000 miles later in Antigua in the Caribbean.

All crews must be totally self-sufficient, ready to cope with waves up to 40 feet high, daytime temperatures that can rise to 30C and a variety of inquisitive sea life.

For father and son team Norman and James Beech, of Coniston, the challenge will be even greater as they are aiming to break two rowing records.

The first is for the youngest male ocean rower, currently held by a 19-year-old who completed the crossing in 2006. The duo will have to finish the race before February 17, when James turns 19.

Their second target is to beat the record for the existing and to-date only crossing time for a father and son, which at present stands at 78 days. Mr Beech and his son plan to complete the race in 65 days.

“I’ve spent my life working with people in the outdoors and I’m interested in adventure,” said Mr Beech, centre manager of the Raymond Priestley Centre for Outdoor Pursuits and Field Studies. “Over the years I’ve been reading about what other people have been doing and thought it was a good point in my life to have a go at a big challenge.

“I turn 50 three days before we start the race so it’s something a little bit different to be doing,” he added.

The couple, who have named their team Beech Boys Atlantic, are busy organising and preparing for their journey and their boat, which is currently under construction in Cornwall, will be ready for fitting out in January before its official launch on Coniston Water in April, which is where they plan to carry out their training.

“We will have a better idea of things once we are rowing a boat rather than just practising on a rowing machine,” said Mr Beech.

They plan to raise money for WaterAid – a charity that aims to provide safe water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people.

Mr Beech explained that he had previously been involved in helping with a friend’s project connecting a pipeline in Senegal, West Africa to a reliable water supply: “Water is a very basic thing and is often taken for granted so we’re trying to make a difference,” he said.

Also taking part in the nautical adventure is Colin Hodgson, 45, of Allithwaite, and Clive Bradley, of Shap Wells.

The duo, both of Dove Nest Group, have bought a C2, which was the overall winner of the 2005 race, made famous by the participation of James Cracknell and Ben Fogle.

“We will row alternate two-hour shifts, with two hours off for eating and sleeping,” explained Mr Bradley, managing director of the Dove Nest Group.

“We’d like to do it in 50 to 60 days. We’re putting in a lot of effort to get up to speed.”

The couple hope to raise £50, 000 to go towards the North West Air Ambulance and to help fund the building of an operating theatre for the children’s and maternity ward at the Bansang Hospital in the Gambia.

In the past, Dove Nest Group staff have driven two Landrovers across the Sahara to deliver to the Bansang Hospital to provide medical support.

Mr Bradley, 39, said: “Challenges like these underpin our approach to our corporate responsibility to provide opportunities for our staff to stretch themselves while making a difference for people in their own and distant communities.”

Both teams are seeking individual and commercial sponsorship for their journey across the ocean.

For more information on Beech Boys Atlantic, visit www.sport.bham.ac.uk/transatlantic or for the Dove Nest Group team visit www.theatlanticchallenge.co.uk.