SooToday.com received the following note today from Scott McLeod, nephew of local physician Dr. Steve Roedde, regarding a grueling challenge his uncle has chosen to be a part of in order to set a world record.
***************************** On January 8 my uncle, Dr. Steve Roedde (a local physician at SAH and local St. Joe’s Island syrup producer) and his son Nigel Roedde (a personal trainer in Guelph) will embark on a trans-Atlantic rowing expedition.
They are part of a 15-member crew that is attempting to break the world record for the fastest crossing.
The expedition members had the world’s first rowing catamaran manufactured for the attempt; named ‘Big Blue’ (shown).
They are departing from Tarfaya, Morocco and rowing to Port St. Charles, Barbados.
They have successfully reassembled the boat and are currently ahead of schedule.
The challenge: In order to establish a new world record, Big Blue must stay moving 24 hours a day - meaning the crew must row around the clock.
Each rower will take shifts of two to four hours at the oars, followed by two to four hours off to sleep, eat, drink and prepare for another gruelling two to four hours rowing.
While doing so, the crew must battle with sleep deprivation, dehydration, and physical exhaustion.
Remaining mentally tough under these conditions, while sharing crammed quarters with 14 other crew will prove very challenging.
The current record is 33 days.
The distance they will row is 5,094 kms or 2,750 nautical miles! There expedition progress can be tracked here. Thanks for helping spread the word!
Scott McLeod
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