Congratulations on this admirable achievement, worthy of the utmost respect. Courage, strength, determination, perseverance and resilience, truly inspiration. Best wishes from Portugal!
I was born, raised and lived my whole life on an island off the west coast of British Columbia. The ocean has always been a big part of my life. I feel my most comfortable on the ocean, but I can't for one moment, fathom what it feels like to do what you have accomplished. Well done sir! You are an inspiration.
Hi Rick, been to BC a few times, what a stunning part of the world. Would love to have a second lifetime so I could explore properly. It feels strange is all I can say, you look back when it's over and it feels like it was someone else on the boat. I think that's partly what draws me back, searching for that feeling again.
After spending 22 years in the military, I have seen and experienced many great courageous feats. What you accomplished is right up there with the best. You exemplify, courage, dedication and strength. You are a great example to the entire world, that with these things mentioned, anyone can make their dreams, reality.
Dearest John, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see you continuing your passions - Bravo! and thank you for sharing your adventures with the world. I'll have to go back and watch your playlists. best regards to You, Cheryl and the girls
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it. Shame it's got so popular in it's current form, I've improved my editing skills since I put this together, never mind, it tries to convey a little of what it was like at sea, not easy to make 208 days rowing 15+ hours a day work in a TH-cam format.
I liked this 3 parter as a mini documentary. I would love to know more about the boat and the planning. I read a quote one time that baked down to this "a few months of suffering can get you through decades of life." It struck me as a truly profound concept.
Thanks Trevor, glad you enjoyed it. I'm starting to get ready for an attempt on the Indian Ocean, I've never had time in the past but now I do I'm making a few video's on the journey to the starting line. I'm just editing the first one, should be up in a week or so. I like your quote, looking back on that 208 days on the Pacific feels like I lived a full lifetime in seven months. Genuinely nothing but positive memories though despite the hard going.
One of the 7 wonders of adventurous achievement. Climbing mt everest, crossing the Sahara alone in a camels back. Having reached the southernmost point, Antarctica...are a few...now rowing across the ocean stands in line with these outstanding accomplishments...
I Hear Everest is a bit crowded, the thing that appealed to me about rowing was there are no guides, no back up team and no easy way to get help, it is a vast wild wilderness not unlike those you mention though, lots of adventures out there to cram into our short lives.
Truly amazing, well done 👏 I sailed the Atlantic long time ago and know how difficult that was but this is another level times a thousand!! Communication and family means the world on those journeys… Good luck with your next adventure 👍
Thanks MK, very heady company to be named with, not sure I deserve that but I'll take it. Very proud to be representing Yorkshire, my favorite headline when I got to Australia was “scrawny old Yorkshireman rows Pacific” perfect!
Comes across as a Very Modest Humble Calm Man who will Inspire the Next Generations on what the Human Mind and Body is capable of 💪 I SALUTE YOU JOHN 💯
I know your last video was a couple years ago. But it’s great to see you responding to comments as if a few months ago. Your journeys are truly inspirational. Hello from America. Hope all is well.
Hi @Jmotwa87, many thanks for your kind words, all is good here, I'm on another adventure of sorts, renovating a set of old farm buildings, not quite the same but still very challenging.
Congrats and thanks for sharing your amazing story. I'd love to see more of the "mundane" details of your crossing, such as the planning design and building of the boat for this crossing, how you prepare food, keep the batteries charged, what you eat to stay healthy, did you eat fish along the way, how you navigate, challenges with maintenance of the boat.
Hi Mitch, I'm just working on a long version of my first crossing which has some of the content, you may also be interested in my new shorts, "Preparing for the Indian Ocean" as I go through the process of getting ready it will cover kit, equipment etc. I didn't eat fish, only boiled water to dehydrate food, it's an efficient use of gas and clean and simple. Thanks for watching.
I crossed the Pacific several times on an aircraft carrier. Worked on the bridge, and picked up Apollo 11 and 12 in the far south Pacific in 1969. Would I venture out there in a row boat...hmmm don't think so. I've seen how cruel the ocean can become. But I've also seen how calm and beautiful it can be. It can entice you. What an incredible accomplishment. One thing not mentioned is the time to contemplate life when you do somthing like this on your own. I would think you would really understand yourself and life after such an effort. Well done from an old Navy man in Northern California. In a way, I envy you.
Hi Chris, Rolf, picking up Apollo 11 and 12, what a story that is to tell the gran kids. You do have time to contemplate but it's also quite busy on the boat, you're always thinking about what's next, food, fixing things, navigating, can you stay awake for another hour, the time flies by. And yes the sea can be big, but unlike in a carrier I can only go down wind (sort if) so always have a following sea so it's not that bad.
@@soloatlanticrower In my day when we were south of the equator, we still did celestial navigation. I could do a star fix to a 3 mile triangle which was fine in the middle of the south Pacific. I can imagine you had some form of GPS?
@@sabyegrp Yes modern day seafarers are a bit soft, I had GPS which does make life easier. I did do a traditional navigation course and even considered trying to do the first journey using it but getting reliable fixes in a rowing boat is very challenging, being so low to the water and never being anywhere like stable. The first 12 ocean rows all used transnational nav and asking the occasional passing vessel for a fix.
Sa qai dua na tagane tera talega qo.Trully an amazing experience and takes a lot of courage and to do it alone it's just no words to describe you sir. Well done and God Bless You Sir..
Technically it is, there was a guy planning to have a go, it would be in the Southern Ocean, below the two capes stopping at South Georgia to re stock. It would be a very tough trip, big seas and cold. Not sure it could be done solo - non stop. I'd like to do the Indian to complete the three major Oceans continent to continent then I'd feel like the job was finished.
This dwarf's pretty much every challenge i can think of at the moment. The ocean is said to be one of it not the most hardest places to survive. You look on the brink of starvation. Amazing accomplishment
That's really my justification for choosing ocean rowing. I was a bit lean but felt inn great shape, I'd pushed hard the last couple of weeks so probably lost a couple of additional pounds, they go back on pretty quick though.
YOU ARE A REAL HERO JOHN! I do not believe and ANYONE can do this trip and not recognise you as a GIANT amongst our human race. God speed John, may your life be filled with more mind blowing adventures.28/06/2121
What did you do on Christmas day? Yeah I cooked up turkey roast and watched double bill of Eastenders then had cheese crackers washed down with port..Full respect to tough Yorkshire man.
Thank Alistair, didn't quite know what to say other than "this" seemed obvious really. It was strange taking in all the questions after so much time on my own. Plus it was 40 degrees and humid as hell by that time, I hadn't had more than a few quick naps for days, there were boats and ferries all over the place and I all I wanted was to get off the boat and stop rowing for a while.
@@soloatlanticrower Honestly , it wasn't a joke at your expense my friend , I just think the journalist could do with being a bit more magnanimous with their questions. Something along the lines of 'your a tough yorkshire man, do you think any southerners would have had a hope in hell of doing the same? What was the scariest moment, the toughest, how do you manage without sleep, what was best wildlife you saw, must be half a book at least. Anyway, take my hat off to you , amazing achievement, poxy weather at the beginning, thought you'd be in beautiful blue skies in no time . Friend of big Al rowed the Atlantic about 3 or 4 years ago, 42 days at sea, I thought that was tough going.
@@pinarellolimoncello Didn't think it was at my expense. I thought the best question I was asked on the way in was "do you have a bit of monkey bum?" I had no idea what he was talking about until I met the jurno the day after and he explained it's an Ausie phrase for a cyclists backside after too long in the saddle, the answer was a definite yes. Congrats to Big Al, hat's off to all ocean rowers, hope he didn't row a blowing boat though.
@@soloatlanticrower He rode in four person team, one lady and they set new mixed team record as a result. Excuse my ignorance , what is a blowing boat? They were 2 hours on , 2 hours off, well, eat , sleep, toilet etc, sounded like torture. I'll stick with my cycling I think. Definitely hats off to all ocean rowers. I heard that captain Cook came across polynesians that knew how to make their way across the pacific , island hoping and surviving on fish I'm guessing, does that sound feasible to you, vast expanse of ocean.
@@pinarellolimoncello blowing boats we first used in the 2009 Atlantic race, basically they are designed with the larger cabin at the front with the bulkhead intended to catch wind and thus act as a sail. Just one of my bug bears, they also usually have a dagger board and auto helm, all things that take advantage of the wind and lessen the rowing involved. The ocean rowing society now differentiate between pure class rowing boats (like Socks) and all other designs. It's a purest thing I know but I set out looking for the toughest challenge I could find so it seems counter intuitive to me to then trying and make it easier by using sailing techniques. Re the Polynesians, absolutely they were capable, some of the earliest recorded navigation techniques were Polynesian. Happy to let them use combination sailing / rowing boats, they were very advanced when it came to seafaring. Don't forget in the middles ages the Vikings also made it all the way to North America as well, at the time we struggled to get across the channel.
Solo admiración y respeto por su hazaña, su epopeya y conquista del vasto océano... su fortaleza mental, su resiliencia en la lucha contra la Soledad y todos los elementos contrarios...un verdadero gigante del mundo de la aventura... mis saludos cordiales y mi máxima admiración.
I had problems with my iPod on the Pacific trip so had to make do with entertaining myself. However a lot of mental space is filled with navigation, getting to the end of the next session and keeping focused on the task at hand. There is not as much free head time as you may think.
came close a few times but never went over, it's a combination of good boat design and good decision making about when to row and when not to row and not to fight the conditions.
Amazing feat, lots of respect. Why do rowing boats not use a windvane-selfsteering device so that you waste less energy in course-keeping ? (they allow themselfes sea-anchors)
The sea anchor is only used to stop you going backward, some rowers use auto pilot, I consider that cheating. I'm a rower not a sailer, I believe steering with the oars is part of the challenge.
@@soloatlanticrower OK, I understand. I allways wondered if any rowers cheated by increasing windage with their rig in downwind conditions. Like sticking oars up or binding flags and laundry together. It would make a huge difference in a race. I noticed your flags were at the stern but flying them from the bow would help in steering (tracking) performance. (and less covering of the solarpanel)
In the last 15 years most rowing boats built have been with the cabin at the front and the bulkhead designed to catch the wind, in rowing circles they are known as blowing boats. The amount of effort required to row these boats on a trade winds route is significantly reduced, in a good blow rowing adds nothing to boat speed, combined with an auto pilot you are a passenger. personally don't understand deciding to do a really hard challenge and then trying to make it easier by cheating, I would feel dishonest claiming to have rowed if I'd used a blowing boat or other sailing tech on my crossings.
@@soloatlanticrower Fascinating and room for thoughts of how pure you are willing to undertake difficult passages. For emergencies you could have a kite onboard to fly to pull. In the designs of the vessels you could incorporate keel-boards or ¨Ama´s¨ to play with the trim and dampen the rolling. I understand the attitude between a human powered boat versus wind powered is a world apart. And in a different way fullfilling. Thanks for reacting and.....bon voyage.
Incredible. Your mental and body health. And your determination. You ended without a single gram of fat in your body. Congratulations on this huge achievement. 👍❤
Thanks Juan, see me response to @Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard Pierre Gustave below re being a bit skinny when I arrived, it's not a diet I would recommend to everyone. Amazing how your body and mind adapt to whatever you throw at them though.
Thanks Derek, much appreciated. I only started putting content up a few months ago, I'm quite surprised I have had so many people subscribe to be honest, the number seems to be steadily growing so there must be some interest. Thanks again for your interest.
*+Solo Ocean Rower* I guess you've been asked this previously but I'm genuinely wondering how do you fit those ginormous balls in that tiny little boat with everything else you've got to deal with? Special floatation devices? Regardless, and in all sincerity, thank you for sharing your journey with us. You're an inspiration. You, and that yellow footed booby.
i find it reeally interesting why people suffer so much so they can feel amazing at the end of it, as buddhists say "life is suffering" but in order to feel the amazing sense of exhilaration you must have to suffer serious pain
On the dock my wife and eldest daughter were there ti stop me stumbling into the marina (croc's hang out in there apparently) and Tony, a good friend and shore support was there to help wrap up the journey, boat and help with shipping arrangements.
@@soloatlanticrower Thank You for explaining Sir...I spent many a night on the ocean, in a larger vessel...It can be HORRIFIC...I truly do admire your inner strength and determination...I enjoyed your videos...👍🏆
@@soloatlanticrower What you mentally..., and physically..., achieved is outstanding and certainly worth publicity...No doubt you couldn't have achieved such a challenging journey without the behind-the-scenes wonderful family Sir...👍🏆🙏 Godbless you and your family.., and BRAVO SIR...👏
If I go out on a fishing boat or something like that I get sea sick to, amazed I've never got sick while rowing. Think it's because I'm outside in the fresh air and my mind is focused on rowing.
He looked like the Australian prisoners of war in Japanese prison camps. Looks like he would have starved to death had he remained out there much longer. Burning way more calories than he was consuming. But congratulations on an epic trip!!!
Hi Pierre, I was pretty lean when I passed Vanuatu, I must admit the last 14 days were very tough and I let my eating regime slip a bit, didn't take me long to clamp the weight back on when I got home.
Congratulations on this admirable achievement, worthy of the utmost respect.
Courage, strength, determination, perseverance and resilience, truly inspiration.
Best wishes from Portugal!
Thanks Jony, my daughter and I had a lovely time in Portimão before we set off on our Atlantic adventure.
I was born, raised and lived my whole life on an island off the west coast of British Columbia. The ocean has always been a big part of my life. I feel my most comfortable on the ocean, but I can't for one moment, fathom what it feels like to do what you have accomplished. Well done sir! You are an inspiration.
Hi Rick, been to BC a few times, what a stunning part of the world. Would love to have a second lifetime so I could explore properly. It feels strange is all I can say, you look back when it's over and it feels like it was someone else on the boat. I think that's partly what draws me back, searching for that feeling again.
After spending 22 years in the military, I have seen and experienced many great courageous feats. What you accomplished is right up there with the best. You exemplify, courage, dedication and strength. You are a great example to the entire world, that with these things mentioned, anyone can make their dreams, reality.
Thanks WM, you're right, we are all capable of way more than we think, sometimes it's just about the first step. Life's to short to procrastinate.
🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲 ☝ 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
This is mind blowing, what an absolute lad
Dearest John, I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see you continuing your passions - Bravo! and thank you for sharing your adventures with the world. I'll have to go back and watch your playlists. best regards to You, Cheryl and the girls
Hi Connie, great to her fro you, hope life is treating you well. Glad you enjoyed our tall tales.
Very, very good performance. Absolutely unbelievable👍💪
Thanks
I salute this man. One of a kind 👍
😁
You are an incredibly brave men. Well done !!!!
Thank you! 🚣♀️
Amazing, simply amazing the perseverance and you haven't gone mad, well done!
Hi Paul, quite a lot of people that know me might not agree with the second part of your comment. Thanks for watching.
@@soloatlanticrower Well, I'll just leave my comment as is. I will say you look at life differently. Good luck on your next adventure.
Well done sir, hats off to you👏👏👏
Cheers
Absolute legend
Wow, just wow. What an incredible lifetime achievement, well done John. Just the series I needed to kick my arse into gear.
Thanks Chris, whatever you decide to do good luck, all you need is a plan and just start plugging away, don't put it off 'till tomorrow.
Wow, what an incredible series. Thank you for doing this and putting it together on video. I really enjoyed it.
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it. Shame it's got so popular in it's current form, I've improved my editing skills since I put this together, never mind, it tries to convey a little of what it was like at sea, not easy to make 208 days rowing 15+ hours a day work in a TH-cam format.
Congratulations and great job
Thanks Jesse, much appreciated
Well done. I can't imagine the determination this took.
Well done seem inadequate for such a remarkable achievement. 👏👏👏
Well done again sir !!
what a fantastic adventure, good onya mate
Thanks 👍
I liked this 3 parter as a mini documentary. I would love to know more about the boat and the planning. I read a quote one time that baked down to this "a few months of suffering can get you through decades of life." It struck me as a truly profound concept.
Thanks Trevor, glad you enjoyed it. I'm starting to get ready for an attempt on the Indian Ocean, I've never had time in the past but now I do I'm making a few video's on the journey to the starting line. I'm just editing the first one, should be up in a week or so. I like your quote, looking back on that 208 days on the Pacific feels like I lived a full lifetime in seven months. Genuinely nothing but positive memories though despite the hard going.
Un real what a soul this man must have. Congrats on the effort, hope you ate fish mate cos those tuna had me looking hard
Didn't have time to fish, plus the only thing I cooked was water for my dehydrated meals, clean, quick and used very little fuel.
That's amazing, you did all that on packed food. Legend.
dude you are a legend.
One of the 7 wonders of adventurous achievement. Climbing mt everest, crossing the Sahara alone in a camels back. Having reached the southernmost point, Antarctica...are a few...now rowing across the ocean stands in line with these outstanding accomplishments...
I Hear Everest is a bit crowded, the thing that appealed to me about rowing was there are no guides, no back up team and no easy way to get help, it is a vast wild wilderness not unlike those you mention though, lots of adventures out there to cram into our short lives.
Truly amazing, well done 👏
I sailed the Atlantic long time ago and know how difficult that was but this is another level times a thousand!! Communication and family means the world on those journeys…
Good luck with your next adventure 👍
The Oceans are wild and woolly for sure but also beautiful places to be especially alone, thanks Graham
This is just AMAZING! The human body when tested to its limits will AMAZE anyone! God Bless you sir!
How right you are, it's incredible what we can achieve when we put ourselves in challenging situations.
☝
Unbelievable. What an incredible effort.
Cook,Wilberforce, Harrison and now Beeden, yorkshires finest
Well done John 👍
Thanks MK, very heady company to be named with, not sure I deserve that but I'll take it. Very proud to be representing Yorkshire, my favorite headline when I got to Australia was “scrawny old Yorkshireman rows Pacific” perfect!
Absolutely fantastic, humble visionary.
What amazing story
Just unbelievable…amazing! Congrats!!!!!
Comes across as a Very Modest Humble Calm Man who will Inspire the Next Generations on what the Human Mind and Body is capable of 💪
I SALUTE YOU JOHN 💯
Hi Juan, the human mind and body are incredible at adapting, it's the coolest think to undergo that change in a challenging situation.
Well done, superb voyage, anything is possible
Yes it is Bridget
Well done John. What an amazing journey.
It truly was, only problem is you end up with the what's next conundrum.
What a courageous, phenomenal achievement John. Really amazing.
Hi EJ, not sure about that but thanks for the generous comments.
@@soloatlanticrower Not sure?? You solo rowed across the Atlantic AND Pacific oceans and lived to tell about it. Own it man, you are incredible.
well done mate...
Cheers Christopher.
Thank you again for sharing, you are such an inspiration.
I know your last video was a couple years ago. But it’s great to see you responding to comments as if a few months ago. Your journeys are truly inspirational. Hello from America. Hope all is well.
Hi @Jmotwa87, many thanks for your kind words, all is good here, I'm on another adventure of sorts, renovating a set of old farm buildings, not quite the same but still very challenging.
@@soloatlanticrower I’m glad you’re fulfilling all of your passions. I pray I can do the same in my lifetime. Best wishes.
John, you're swinging a massive donga there mate. Well done
Really enjoyed this video. Such an adventure! Please keep making more!🙏😊
I'm working on a longer version of my 2011 crossing, should be a couple of weeks.
Thanks
Is there anything this guy doesn't take in his stride. Epic.
Wow John .. I massively admire and salute your mental toughness.. when your body ( must have said enough is enough ) 👏👏
Thanks, you don't have much option once you are out there, only way to make the pain stop is to keep pushing.
Congrats and thanks for sharing your amazing story. I'd love to see more of the "mundane" details of your crossing, such as the planning design and building of the boat for this crossing, how you prepare food, keep the batteries charged, what you eat to stay healthy, did you eat fish along the way, how you navigate, challenges with maintenance of the boat.
Hi Mitch, I'm just working on a long version of my first crossing which has some of the content, you may also be interested in my new shorts, "Preparing for the Indian Ocean" as I go through the process of getting ready it will cover kit, equipment etc. I didn't eat fish, only boiled water to dehydrate food, it's an efficient use of gas and clean and simple. Thanks for watching.
208 day's,oh my God!sir, thankyou for inspiring me....i realy salute you!!!!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
👍
Unbelievable. Well done!
I crossed the Pacific several times on an aircraft carrier. Worked on the bridge, and picked up Apollo 11 and 12 in the far south Pacific in 1969. Would I venture out there in a row boat...hmmm don't think so. I've seen how cruel the ocean can become. But I've also seen how calm and beautiful it can be. It can entice you.
What an incredible accomplishment. One thing not mentioned is the time to contemplate life when you do somthing like this on your own. I would think you would really understand yourself and life after such an effort.
Well done from an old Navy man in Northern California. In a way, I envy you.
Hi Chris, Rolf, picking up Apollo 11 and 12, what a story that is to tell the gran kids. You do have time to contemplate but it's also quite busy on the boat, you're always thinking about what's next, food, fixing things, navigating, can you stay awake for another hour, the time flies by. And yes the sea can be big, but unlike in a carrier I can only go down wind (sort if) so always have a following sea so it's not that bad.
@@soloatlanticrower In my day when we were south of the equator, we still did celestial navigation. I could do a star fix to a 3 mile triangle which was fine in the middle of the south Pacific. I can imagine you had some form of GPS?
@@sabyegrp Yes modern day seafarers are a bit soft, I had GPS which does make life easier. I did do a traditional navigation course and even considered trying to do the first journey using it but getting reliable fixes in a rowing boat is very challenging, being so low to the water and never being anywhere like stable. The first 12 ocean rows all used transnational nav and asking the occasional passing vessel for a fix.
Congratulations and well done
Thanks Alex
Wow. Amazing achievement.
Cheers AV
Incredible Mate!! WOW..what an accomplishment!!
Thanks a ton!
Этот переход - глубокие переживания... Поздравляю, с возвращением!!!.....
Спасибо
"I'm from Yorkshire, so I'm not very emotional"!! @3:07
Sad but true.
Sa qai dua na tagane tera talega qo.Trully an amazing experience and takes a lot of courage and to do it alone it's just no words to describe you sir. Well done and God Bless You Sir..
Kind words, thanks. Courage exists in us all.
FANTASTIC GOD BLESS YOU JOHN BEEDEN AMEN
thanks
AMAZING!
Thanks 👍
Is it possible to solo Row around the world somehow? Is that the reason to do the Indian Ocean? You are unbelievable.
Technically it is, there was a guy planning to have a go, it would be in the Southern Ocean, below the two capes stopping at South Georgia to re stock. It would be a very tough trip, big seas and cold. Not sure it could be done solo - non stop. I'd like to do the Indian to complete the three major Oceans continent to continent then I'd feel like the job was finished.
@@soloatlanticrower Yeah I can imagine the bitter cold would be the biggest barrier. Good luck with the Indian Ocean. Beware of pirates though.
Desde España, ánimo y enhorabuena.🐠
Muchas gracias
This dwarf's pretty much every challenge i can think of at the moment. The ocean is said to be one of it not the most hardest places to survive. You look on the brink of starvation. Amazing accomplishment
That's really my justification for choosing ocean rowing. I was a bit lean but felt inn great shape, I'd pushed hard the last couple of weeks so probably lost a couple of additional pounds, they go back on pretty quick though.
Congratulations beautiful!!!
Thank you 😀
Amazing
That's quite the accomplishment. Congratulations. I guess you know who you really are after something like that.
You're right, you do get properly challenged and discover a lot about yourself. I have to say it was a tough but mainly positive experience for me.
Solo rowing across the Atlantic was “easy” he said 😂. What a legend.
Bro! Wow! Good on yah!
Thanks!!
Amazing achievement, one for the history books. We're made of strong stuff in Yorkshire.
Hi Shaun, I agree, Yorkshire grit can take you a long way. Thanks.
YOU ARE A REAL HERO JOHN! I do not believe and ANYONE can do this trip and not recognise you as a GIANT amongst our human race. God speed John, may your life be filled with more mind blowing adventures.28/06/2121
Hi Ian, very generous comments, not sure they are totally deserved but thanks anyway. Looking forward to attempting the Indian Ocean next year.
Unbelievable- what else can one say.
Hi Eamonn, many thanks, seems like a lifetime ago, hopefully I have one last adventure in me.
What did you do on Christmas day? Yeah I cooked up turkey roast and watched double bill of Eastenders then had cheese crackers washed down with port..Full respect to tough Yorkshire man.
Thank Alistair, didn't quite know what to say other than "this" seemed obvious really. It was strange taking in all the questions after so much time on my own. Plus it was 40 degrees and humid as hell by that time, I hadn't had more than a few quick naps for days, there were boats and ferries all over the place and I all I wanted was to get off the boat and stop rowing for a while.
@@soloatlanticrower Honestly , it wasn't a joke at your expense my friend , I just think the journalist could do with being a bit more magnanimous with their questions. Something along the lines of 'your a tough yorkshire man, do you think any southerners would have had a hope in hell of doing the same? What was the scariest moment, the toughest, how do you manage without sleep, what was best wildlife you saw, must be half a book at least. Anyway, take my hat off to you , amazing achievement, poxy weather at the beginning, thought you'd be in beautiful blue skies in no time . Friend of big Al rowed the Atlantic about 3 or 4 years ago, 42 days at sea, I thought that was tough going.
@@pinarellolimoncello Didn't think it was at my expense. I thought the best question I was asked on the way in was "do you have a bit of monkey bum?" I had no idea what he was talking about until I met the jurno the day after and he explained it's an Ausie phrase for a cyclists backside after too long in the saddle, the answer was a definite yes. Congrats to Big Al, hat's off to all ocean rowers, hope he didn't row a blowing boat though.
@@soloatlanticrower He rode in four person team, one lady and they set new mixed team record as a result. Excuse my ignorance , what is a blowing boat? They were 2 hours on , 2 hours off, well, eat , sleep, toilet etc, sounded like torture. I'll stick with my cycling I think. Definitely hats off to all ocean rowers. I heard that captain Cook came across polynesians that knew how to make their way across the pacific , island hoping and surviving on fish I'm guessing, does that sound feasible to you, vast expanse of ocean.
@@pinarellolimoncello blowing boats we first used in the 2009 Atlantic race, basically they are designed with the larger cabin at the front with the bulkhead intended to catch wind and thus act as a sail. Just one of my bug bears, they also usually have a dagger board and auto helm, all things that take advantage of the wind and lessen the rowing involved. The ocean rowing society now differentiate between pure class rowing boats (like Socks) and all other designs. It's a purest thing I know but I set out looking for the toughest challenge I could find so it seems counter intuitive to me to then trying and make it easier by using sailing techniques.
Re the Polynesians, absolutely they were capable, some of the earliest recorded navigation techniques were Polynesian. Happy to let them use combination sailing / rowing boats, they were very advanced when it came to seafaring. Don't forget in the middles ages the Vikings also made it all the way to North America as well, at the time we struggled to get across the channel.
Makes crossing it in a 40 foot sail boat look pedestrian
Solo admiración y respeto por su hazaña, su epopeya y conquista del vasto océano... su fortaleza mental, su resiliencia en la lucha contra la Soledad y todos los elementos contrarios...un verdadero gigante del mundo de la aventura... mis saludos cordiales y mi máxima admiración.
Eladioboss - Más que palabras amables, amigo mío. Fue difícil, pero no estoy seguro de reconocer a la persona de la que hablas con tanta frecuencia.
absolutely mental. How did you manage with the food? Like what kind of food were you eating, i imagine you couldn't cook
Mainly freeze dried food, check out 7.20 ish on studio.th-cam.com/users/videoc3N0yhaFckI/edit
Such an experience! Unlike anything anyone else can even imagine!
How do you feel about it all today?
I look back with some pride but also it seems like a lifetime ago. Still very glad I did it.
How did you pass the time mentally? Music? Podcasts? Etc?
I had problems with my iPod on the Pacific trip so had to make do with entertaining myself. However a lot of mental space is filled with navigation, getting to the end of the next session and keeping focused on the task at hand. There is not as much free head time as you may think.
@@soloatlanticrower did you ever capsize?
came close a few times but never went over, it's a combination of good boat design and good decision making about when to row and when not to row and not to fight the conditions.
Amazing feat, lots of respect. Why do rowing boats not use a windvane-selfsteering device
so that you waste less energy in course-keeping ? (they allow themselfes sea-anchors)
The sea anchor is only used to stop you going backward, some rowers use auto pilot, I consider that cheating. I'm a rower not a sailer, I believe steering with the oars is part of the challenge.
@@soloatlanticrower OK, I understand.
I allways wondered if any rowers cheated by increasing windage with
their rig in downwind conditions. Like sticking oars up or binding flags
and laundry together. It would make a huge difference in a race.
I noticed your flags were at the stern but flying them from the bow
would help in steering (tracking) performance. (and less covering of the
solarpanel)
In the last 15 years most rowing boats built have been with the cabin at the front and the bulkhead designed to catch the wind, in rowing circles they are known as blowing boats. The amount of effort required to row these boats on a trade winds route is significantly reduced, in a good blow rowing adds nothing to boat speed, combined with an auto pilot you are a passenger. personally don't understand deciding to do a really hard challenge and then trying to make it easier by cheating, I would feel dishonest claiming to have rowed if I'd used a blowing boat or other sailing tech on my crossings.
@@soloatlanticrower Fascinating and room for thoughts of how pure you
are willing to undertake difficult passages. For emergencies you could
have a kite onboard to fly to pull. In the designs of the vessels you could
incorporate keel-boards or ¨Ama´s¨ to play with the trim and dampen
the rolling. I understand the attitude between a human powered boat
versus wind powered is a world apart. And in a different way fullfilling.
Thanks for reacting and.....bon voyage.
Incredible. Your mental and body health. And your determination. You ended without a single gram of fat in your body. Congratulations on this huge achievement. 👍❤
Thanks Juan, see me response to @Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard
Pierre Gustave below re being a bit skinny when I arrived, it's not a diet I would recommend to everyone. Amazing how your body and mind adapt to whatever you throw at them though.
How can you have only 2.9k subs with this?? Much respect!
Thanks Derek, much appreciated. I only started putting content up a few months ago, I'm quite surprised I have had so many people subscribe to be honest, the number seems to be steadily growing so there must be some interest. Thanks again for your interest.
@@soloatlanticrower wow keep it man!
Amazing!! How much weight did you lose, and did you gain it all back quickly?
Left at about 145lb came back at about 130lb, it goes back on quickly, too quickly actually.
how you took a damp??
If that's "Dump" Fernando, I used a bucket.
RESPECT
Wow 👏
*+Solo Ocean Rower*
I guess you've been asked this previously but I'm genuinely wondering how do you fit those ginormous balls in that tiny little boat with everything else you've got to deal with?
Special floatation devices? Regardless, and in all sincerity, thank you for sharing your journey with us. You're an inspiration. You, and that yellow footed booby.
The Booby with the Paul Weller hair cut was as brave as you like. NB. the flotation devices don't take up as much space as they used too.
i find it reeally interesting why people suffer so much so they can feel amazing at the end of it, as buddhists say "life is suffering" but in order to feel the amazing sense of exhilaration you must have to suffer serious pain
Legend to last that long at sea alone
what where you eating ??
Mainly freeze dried food, energy bars and biscuits .
You should wear a long sleeve T-shirt! so much sun damage
I know Brad, it's so hot though you just can't wear anything but sun cream and a hat.
Make sure you have regular check ups with a skin specialist then!
Question.., Why isn't his family surrounding him during this Press conference...??? Just asking...!!!
On the dock my wife and eldest daughter were there ti stop me stumbling into the marina (croc's hang out in there apparently) and Tony, a good friend and shore support was there to help wrap up the journey, boat and help with shipping arrangements.
@@soloatlanticrower Thank You for explaining Sir...I spent many a night on the ocean, in a larger vessel...It can be HORRIFIC...I truly do admire your inner strength and determination...I enjoyed your videos...👍🏆
@@paulmurray3322 Thanks Paul, just to add the family are all a bit camera shy, me too but II didn't have much choice.
@@soloatlanticrower What you mentally..., and physically..., achieved is outstanding and certainly worth publicity...No doubt you couldn't have achieved such a challenging journey without the behind-the-scenes wonderful family Sir...👍🏆🙏 Godbless you and your family.., and BRAVO SIR...👏
@@paulmurray3322 Absolutely, my wife especially but my two girls that were in their early teens on my first row, the have been incredible.
Seems like pure torture
Sometimes the tougher things are the greater the sense of satisfaction when complete. Hard but enjoyable in a perverse way.
Im sea sick just from listening to him talk. I get sick easy
If I go out on a fishing boat or something like that I get sea sick to, amazed I've never got sick while rowing. Think it's because I'm outside in the fresh air and my mind is focused on rowing.
if someone can do this, i can fulfill my dream and make music that moves millions of people someday.
Someone with a luxury yacht needs to give this guy a boat ride Anywhere he wants
I like the sound of this suggestion Clifford. Although I get bored lounging about.
Do We realize what this man DID?
Take a deep breath and think about it.
He looked like the Australian prisoners of war in Japanese prison camps. Looks like he would have starved to death had he remained out there much longer. Burning way more calories than he was consuming. But congratulations on an epic trip!!!
Hi Pierre, I was pretty lean when I passed Vanuatu, I must admit the last 14 days were very tough and I let my eating regime slip a bit, didn't take me long to clamp the weight back on when I got home.