Our Atlantic Challenge

Help required

2008-01-25T14:50:00.000Z

Row4Cornwall are looking for additional finances to bring the boat back to England. If you can help in any way please do get in touch with us at info@row4cornwall.co.uk

The increased shipping costs are hampering the chance to get the boat back and ready for the possibility of making it available to another two youngsters from Cornwall who will be given the opportunity to emulate the success of this years team.

Row4Cornwall is looking at the possibility of setting up a Charitable fund that will give two disadvantaged youngsters the opportunity of a lifetime - to take part in the next Atlantic Challenge. It is hoped that one main sponsor will come on board in a 3 year deal that will see the team fully supported and financed from rower selection, training and onto the race itself. The race organisers website for 2007/8 had 4000 visitors per day watching the race unfold online.
The advertising and marketing opportunities are incredible.

Help us get the boat back to the UK so we can continue the success of Row4Cornwall.

ROWERS JUBILANT AFTER ATLANTIC CROSSING SUCCESS - Cornish Guardian

2008-01-23T16:13:00.000Z

From the Cornish Guardian:

ROWERS JUBILANT AFTER ATLANTIC CROSSING SUCCESS
Two rowers from Fowey are jubilant after claiming a second place in a gruelling race across the Atlantic.Nick Histon, a 24-year-old surgical nurse and 24-year-old ex-marine John Csehi, both from Fowey, came second in the pairs' race in their boat No Fear and third overall.

They crossed the finishing line six hours after the winners of the pairs' race, a South African team.

Last week they were racing 27 miles behind them and the winning pair returned to the harbour to welcome them in style early on Tuesday morning.

The Cornish Guardian spoke to the row4Cornwall team on Monday in their last leg of the race.

"We have got 43 miles to go before we get there and we are so excited," said Jon.

"It is amazing to see land after 51 days' rowing at sea with nothing else in sight but water. We are not sure how we will do, we wouldn't like to jinx anything at this point, but we are looking at second place as it stands."

Jon and Nick were cheered into the harbour by proud family, friends and other yachtsmen.

As the Cornish Guardian went to press, the men were sleeping off weeks of exhaustion, but we caught up with Nick's mum, Gill Histon.

She said: "We are delighted. They did really well. They got in at 2.30am over here. They are looking really well despite suffering from sore bottoms and foot and hand rot."

The men struggled against gale force eight winds and rain in a tropical storm which struck them in the last days of the race.

She added: "They can't believe that they are on land. They are a bit unsteady on their feet and they had a great reception as they entered the harbour. They can't believe they have done it and done so well too.

"They are both utterly exhausted."

During their epic crossing, the pair battled against homesickness, the physical pain and even went swimming with a black whale.

They started their race on December 2 and have been raising money for the National Epilepsy Society and Cancer Research. To donate online go to www.row4cornwall.co.uk

See next week's Cornish Guardian for a full interview with the team

"Shark" the Cleaning Inspector

2008-01-10T11:53:00.000Z

Nick & John have resolved the issues with their satellite phone, and got back in touch with us.

A couple of days ago they were both under the boat scraping and cleaning the hull. About an hour later a 7ft shark turned up to have a look at what they had done! It seemed please with the cleaning, so they decided to offer it some food. The only thing to hand were dried apricots and the shark decided to give them a miss. The shark would probably have been more interested in a leg or an arm dangled over the side.

The support yacht finally managed to catch up with them and they had a nice chat and took some pics which were in the previous blog entry (the ones with the holey bums). Nick explained that they had actually cut the holes in their shorts themselves to prevent chaffing, and it seems to have worked.

The weather is not what they were expecting at all. The area they are in is supposed to have Trade Winds which should be giving them a helpful push toward the finish, but this year the Trade Winds havent arrived. Looks like they are going to be rowing all the way.

The days are very hot with 36degrees, and the sea is flat. There's about 1knot of current at best.

Overall Nick & Jon are in great spirits and feel fine.

The South African pair currently in 1st place (Gquma Challenge) are watching No Fear's progress on board and have posted this on their website:
"We have it on good authority that No Fear are busting a gut to try and catch Gquma Challenger. Not only that but the 4 in front of them has been getting a hard time for not being able to pull away from a pair. All to the good as at this point of the game it's all about a battle of mental toughness. They guys sounded like they are buzzing and really getting their teeth into it."

Nick also mentioned that they have had a stowaway all the way from the start! Well not so much an onboard but underneath! They've had a fish under the boat for most of the journey which started off at about an inch long and is now about 3.5 inches long and has been eating all the food (and other stuff) they have been dropping off the side. I mentioned that by the time they reached the finish they could have it as a meal, but they said they are pretty loyal to him.

The local Cornish Guardian wrote a story on their journey so far with excerpts from this blog, and more and more people are looking at the website and talking about their efforts.

600miles to go!

A sight for sore eyes!

2008-01-06T17:36:00.000Z

After speaking to Nick & Jon previously and posting the outcome of the conversation on this very blog, I did mention that we were probably lucky that there were no images of their battered and bruised backsides...
...seems I may have spoken too soon.
After losing contact with Row4Cornwall due to problems with their satellite phone, all we have been able to do is watch their progress on the Woodvale website as their little dot steers its way across the Atlantic.
Today, we have two new images for you.
The first shows a healthy looking pair of Atlantic rowers, all smiles and looking like they are just starting rather than over halfway through their adventure:

The second however shows exactly how much the journey has taken out of parts of their clothing and bodies (not for the faint-hearted!):

Keep up the pace guys, at the moment you are only 23miles behind the first pairs boat and we wll feel that you have it in you to win!

Images courtesy of Woodvale Challenge.

Solar Problems

2007-12-31T12:04:00.000Z

Jon & Nick have a Sat-Phone problem (the solar charge cable is faulty) which means they have to run it on the dry cell batteries only
To save energy they are only switching it on for a minute a day to retrieve relative position data from home.
In the meantime, please post your messages onto this blog or the Atlantic Challenge website and we will relay them on for you.

Buses, Whales and Pirates!

2007-12-29T21:01:00.000Z

I had a second telephone call from mid-Atlantic today, this time with Jon.
In the first call, Nick described how they had surfed down huge waves, battled with home-sickness and how salt-water can destroy buttocks! Luckily, there are no images available...

For the first 4 weeks of their epic adventure they decided to concentrate on the rowing and didn't check to see what position they were in. When they decided to check they were in second place overall - which came as something of a surprise to them both as they hadn't really been racing up to that point.
Seeing the good position they were in they decided to make a concerted effort and chase down the leaders.

Jon told of a 30ft black whale that had visited them. After circling the boat three or four times it went underneath and the pair decided to jump in and swim with it.
Once in the water the pair were treated to the whale swimming past them about 20ft away.

The current weather is a bit disappointing for them with very little wind and no waves. This makes it harder work to row, but they are determined to keep the pace up.

During the evening, two yachts passed close to the boat - after seeing nothing on the water for four weeks its a bit like buses! One of the yachts passed by about 500m away and they had a chat with the owner who was from Israel and on his way to Barbados!

One of the concerns that passed through their minds was the possibility of one of the yachts being pirates, which is apparently quite common. Fortunately, Captain Hook wasn't on board this time, and after a chat the two vessels parted company and went on their ways.

Nick and Jon are in an excellent position in the race at the moment, and they both find that the telephone calls and text messages they are now getting are working wonders for their moral, so please keep up the contact with them.

Send a message direct to Jon & Nick via satellite

2007-12-27T01:12:00.000Z

Send a direct message to No Fear via their sat phone at:
http://www.iridium.com/
No Fear text number is 881631573773.
All support gratefully received!

Give the boys from Cornwall your support today...

Swimming with dolphins...

2007-12-21T19:24:00.000Z

This is part of a message from "Go Commando" - one of the other boats in the Atlantic Race:
"On a separate note, we have been speaking to boat No Fear, the other Royal Marines branded boat. We're jealous as last night they went swimming with dolphins! And all we get is a few lousy Tuna!"

Sounds like our boys are having a good time...

News

2007-12-10T22:52:00.000Z

Some news on behalf of the boys who started their epic voyage 2nd December.
All is going well and they are maintaining a good position but have experienced some very testing conditions.
If you want to follow their progress click on woodvale events and take it from their.

In the mean time we would like to thank the firms and people that have supported us:-

York Electrics
Robbins Timber
Kazam Media
Fowey Lions
Bay Mailing
May Whetter and Grose
Todds of Belfast
The National Hydrographics Office
Seafields Estate Agents I.O.W
Arklow Shipping and ships crews
Shannon Port Authority
Blue Funnel Cruises
Royal Marines
Fowey Regatta Committee
The Galleon
Jotron
Fowey Marine Electronics
Blakes Paints
A.L.D Crafts
Orkney Herring Co
Harkaan
Lambay Shipping
Top Shop Fowey
Arklow Marine Services
Upper Deck
Runcorn Boatmen
Kitkatz Manchester Pilots

and all the people in Fowey and Cobh that have given so generously and if I have forgotten anybody I apologise profusely, Gill Histon

The Training Row: A few valuable lessons learn't

2007-10-07T11:46:00.000+01:00

We decided a long time ago that we would try and get out in the boat as much as possible before the race as this is the closest to replicating the race you can get. Particularly when you train in the sea. Therefore we decided to row to the boat show.
We left on a sunny morning in early September starting our shift patterns. The sea for the first 24 hours was incredibly flat calm and so we managed to get to Start Point in 24 hrs (about 60 miles). We then had to decide whether to go straight across Lyme Bay or go the whole way around. We went for it! We thought as conditions were calm we should make it to Portland Bill within 24 hrs. 15 miles in and about 02:00am I came out of the cabin to see Jon was rowing straight into a headwind. After a debate we decided to drop the anchor. We only just made the bottom with 75 metres of rope and whilst on the anchor decided that being out this far against the tides and the wind might not work. We heaved the ancor in which took about half an hour and was bloody hard work. We then made a temporary drogue out of a couple of buckets which managed to keep us on course for Tor bay.
The next morning moral was a bit low but we continued to row the long way round, rowing past the MSC Napoli was interesting. The next day we decided to go for Portland Bill. We were warned that you had to have the tide and the wind with you and you had to be dead close to the shore or miles out. We were about 4 miles out. However I think we ended up right in the race as we were surfing 12 ft waves which were very frequent and often almost broaching the boat. It was about 18:00 and we came to the decision that we would have to get nearer land or the Northerlys were going to take us a long way out to sea. We both got on the oars for 5 hrs and managed to row across the waves and anchor off warborrow bay. We will never go round the Bill again!
After struggling to heave the anchor in again we set off for St Albans head. On the chart there was some messy stuff around here and we looked as though we had avoided it. We were rowing past the head, but in the distance out to sea we could see waves breaking. We thought nothing of it as they were 200 metres away. They got closer and closer and in the end we were surfing again, but this time these waves were breaking all around us. We had to row solidly together for an hour to get near the cliffs where remarkably it was calm. However we were rowing against a tide at about 2 nm's per hr with 2 on the oars for about 3 hours. We were knackered. Jon saw a speedboat cruise by and grabbed the vhf and asked for a quick tow into Swanage which was only a mile away. Thanks to thee owners of AVIDA. We were going a little fast at one point though as they were towing us through some severe awsh and the boat almost capsized, we were jumping from side to side to keep her upright. Still that was a buzz and we were glad to be in Swanage where the people were so nice. Thanks to Tom Greesty who lent us his moorings and tendor for the night.
After a few hours sleep we were determined to get to the boat show that day. We set off so the tide would be with us all the way unti we got into the Solent. We just made it into the Solent as the tide was turning. I watched Jon on the oars, his speed was rapidly decreasing. We were going round Hurst point and the tide ahd just changed. We both got on the oars again and beasted it for half an hour to get round hurst point which we did. We felt so good at that point as we knew we had pretty much made it.
We rowed against the tide with little progress for most of the day but when the tide turned and we were both on the oars we managed 7 knots. By the time we got into Southampton water it was getting dark. We had decide whether to dodge ships in the dark and get there that night or moor up and wait another day. We went for it, with 1 man on watch at all times. We were about 100 metres from the boat show and things had gone okay when a red funnel ferry rounded the corner and steamed towards us. We didn't hang around.
We made it onto our berth at about 22:00 that night, 4.5 days after setting off from Fowey. This was a really great learning curve and were glad we had done it.

Having A Ball: Fund-Raising fun for two Atlantic Rowers

2007-09-13T12:41:00.000+01:00

A ball race down Brown's Hill in Fowey on Saturday raised more than £1,100 to help the town's rowers Nick Histon and John Csehi compete in this year's Atlantic Challenge. The ball race was the latest in a series of fund-raising initiatives organised by Nick's mum, Gill.

She said: "It's been a magnificent couple of weeks. Thanks to the Galleon Inn, we held a barbecue on the last night of regatta week that raised around £800, and on Saturday, the race raised £1,100, thanks not least to the landlord of the Ship Inn, who donated the top prize of £100.

"Residents and visitors alike have been behind the boys. We really would like to thank everyone - whether they bought a burger, bought a ball for the race, or helped to make it possible."

For Saturday's ball race more than 1,100 numbered soft balls were released outside the Safe Harbour pub which then rolled across the street, down Brown's Hill, and along the path next to the church.

The winning prize went to J Jacobs and runners-up were K Murray and Roy Morcom.

Rowers Nick Histon and John Csehi are now in intensive training for the 2,500-mile Atlantic Challenge race, which begins on December 2 from the Canary Islands.

Competing against 40 other rowers, they hope to complete the gruelling trip to Antigua 50 to 60 days later.

Charity Rowers Cash Stolen

2007-07-11T11:53:00.000+01:00

A callous thief has stolen £200 cash donated to help Atlantic rowers raise more funds for charity.The collecting jar was stolen from Park Road Stores in Fowey last week by a young man who was wearing a 'hoodie'.

Shop assistant James Barker bravely chased after the thief, but gave up after 200 yards when threatened with a rock.

The donations were given to support Fowey rowers Nick Histon and John Csehi take part in their Atlantic rowing challenge later this year.

The pair are very angry that someone could be so heartless as to steal money given by generous local people in support of a good cause.

Nick said: "We're devastated and very angry as the £200 could have bought a piece of survival equipment.

"The local fund-raising and support that people have given to us is much appreciated and very important to us - without it we couldn't hope to raise the money we want to raise for the National Society for Epilepsy and Cancer Research UK."

Nick and John have dreamed of taking part in the 2007 Atlantic Rowing Race for more than ten years.

They hope to set out with up to 40 others from the Canary Islands on the 2,500 mile trip in their two-man 23ft boat in November, with the aim of arriving in Antigua 50 to 60 days later.

Police have studied closed circuit television footage from Park Road Stores but have so far been unable to identify the thief.

Police Community Support Officer for Fowey, Linda Thomas, said: "If anyone has any information that could lead us to the suspect, please telephone St Blazey Police Station to let us know."

PCSO Thomas said the theft highlights the need for a Shopwatch scheme, which she hopes will soon be resurrected in the town.

The scheme, to be presented to the Chamber of Commerce later this month, is a cascade telephone warning system which would quickly alert retailers to criminal or suspicious behaviour.

"There are now at least 42 shops in Fowey and they would all benefit from Shopwatch. Similar schemes have been run successfully in the past.

But there are now several new businesses in town and the time is right for a relaunch," she said.

PCSO Thomas said of the incident: "The shop assistant in this case was very brave, which is commendable, but he was threatened and we don't want anyone to get hurt."

* Anyone with any information regarding the theft is asked to telephone St Blazey Police Station on 01726 812262 and speak to the officer on duty.

Rails Fitted

2007-06-18T18:44:00.000+01:00

This week Nick has fitted the rails, seats, compass, bilge pump and solar panels!!!! Nice one mate!
We were hoping to get on the water but the oars haven't arrived yet. They should hopefully be here at the end of the week.
We can hear the sea calling to us now!

To the water!

2007-06-09T16:28:00.000+01:00

We are waiting for the oars and rowing rails to arrive then we are ready to get on the water for the first time! How much longer????

Blog Open!

2007-06-07T13:14:00.000+01:00

The Atlantic Challenge - Row4Cornwall blog is now open!

Progress

2007-03-09T17:24:00.000Z

We’re getting there!

Last week I gave a talk to the Rotary club who were very kind to provide dinner for me that night.

The evening appeared to be a great success. I have also had two weeks off from work where I have really cracked on with the building of the boat.
My mum says when she grows up shes going to be a boatbuilder as she has got right into it.
We have had very useful input from Guinny our boat builder who without we would have been lost.
My Dad is home now aswell and has got his hands stuck into the building side of things. Unfortunately, Jon has been posted to Afghanistan, so we are all hoping he is doing fine which I know he will be.
We have appeared in the Cornish Guardian again, plus the Southern Daily Echo in Hampshire.
We have also had great news that the regatta comitte have agreed to fund a piece of equipment for the boat. Also my sister is expecting a baby any day now, so things will be less boat orientated for a while as we concentrate on her little campaign.

Radio Stars!

2007-02-01T17:25:00.000Z

Jon was on BBC Radio Cornwall again on Tuesday at 15:50.

Emma Lloyd kindly did a great interview with the aim of attracting local businesses to sponsor us. We really need a trailer too!!!!

Sticky...

2007-01-04T17:26:00.000Z

Tomorrow we will be joining the two halves of the boat together.

It’s still in the early stages but progress is very good.
Fingers crossed we put it together straight!

Radio 1

2006-11-06T17:26:00.000Z

Nick was on Trevor Nelson’s show at 18:45 on Sat 4th.

He cycled from southampton to Fowey (only 180 miles!) starting at 05:00 at a cool temperature of -2 deg C!

Well done mate, awesome event.

Flat Pack Boat

2006-10-29T17:27:00.000Z

Our boat kit has finally arrived and is now being constructed!

It shouldn’t be long now before we can finally get on the water and start some realistic training.