All,

A mate of mine is rowing across the Indian Ocean. He left a few days ago from WA and is planning to take 90-100 days to get to Mauritious.

Website

There are 11 crews covering the 3000 miles. Simon is one of two guys going it solo. It is really hard to get your head around paddling in the deep blue ocean for 3 months by yourself, in the swell, exposed to the elements etc.

Simon is a guy from England who was a runner/cyclist (sixfoot in 5:15) who lived around the bay and got interested in rowing watching those rowers in the bay. He took himself off to some rowing lessons and now two years later he is crossing the Indian ocean. Just amazing.

I will be watching with interest. I thought C2K was full on.

Awesome. Incredible stuff.

no pirats on C2K.

very interesting and inspirational.

Can You get him to write some kind of report or post the link to his blog etc ?

Do You know, what kind of food and suplement was he taking with him,

what are his eating, drinking plans ?

His blog is here.

Seriously crazy. And seriously cool.

Seriously gutsy.

About 2 years ago there was a Dutchman who rowed from Europe to South America with his brother in the Across Atlantic Rowing Race - ~5000km.
When he got to South America he then rowed SOLO, nonstop, without any support and no resupplies, no motors or windpower from Chile to Brisbane - another ~16,000km!

He ended up rowing 280days nonstop - ~7600miles (~12236km) but didn't quite make it to Brisbane due adverse weather and 'shipwreck'!

Now that's seriously Hardcore!

Real hard core. I see the other solo rower withdrew at or just after the start...possibly equipment issues.

Simon appears to be working for and sponsored by Old Mutual (insurance) ...Saffer company, didn't know they had an Asia-pacific branch.

btw, doesn't the Indian Ocean end at continental Africa...not downplaying it , but it would be like rowing across Pacific and stopping a New Zealand.

Amazing what some of these guys get up to.

On a related topic, did anyone see "Solo" on the ABC last week, about Andrew ???'s ill-fated attempt to row solo across the southern ocean from Tassie to New Zealand? That was one tragic story.

Andrew McAuley (spelling?). Yes I watched - compelling viewing - and a very tragic end. The thought of crossing the Southern Ocean with those huge waves and swells leaves me trembling at the knees. These adventurers are a special breed indeed.

a fascinating topic and event. I guess over the coming months, if we think we are doing it tough, then we can think about these guys and keep our gobs shut.

Interesting out of the boats:

that 2 out of the 3 dropouts have got the "inspirational" names:

A message there I am guessing - talk is cheap.

Wow, what an amazing adventure!

Good luck to those incredible rowers, it never ceases to amaze me what people are capable of!

I cant help but think of Australian Andrew McAuley's solo kayak journey across the Tasman that ended so tragically in 2007. Watching a recent documentary of his journey was heart wrenching.
To see the photo of his son Finlay in the cockpit of the kayak after it had been recovered is something that really sticks in my mind.

He had already achieved more than most of us could only ever dream of.

He was a true adventurer.

Sorry got a bit off topic.

dino