‍Preparing to take on the Atlantic Ocean!

Our 2024-25 Roxy Atlantic crew met up at Ye Olde White Harte pub in Burnham on Crouch on the evening of Sunday 1st September. There was immediate rapport and good humour as they talked about why they had signed up for the row, and their hopes for the upcoming training week, designed to prepare them to take on the Atlantic Ocean.

On Monday morning, they assembled on the pontoon for an introduction to Roxy and some great photos were captured before they set off. After discussing the safety aspects of offshore rowing, how to stay attached to the boat, and where to find food and water, they set off for their first row together. Departing at 1100, they set off up the River Crouch and rowed in shifts until 1600, taking it in turns to row non-stop for 3 hours. They got used to each other’s rowing styles and made good progress. They practised rowing with and against the tide, covering a total of 35km. The evening was spent at The Ship pub, comparing blisters and their 'ape index' (ratio of arm span to height).  A good first day on Roxy!

On Tuesday the crew are in the Roxy yurt, discussing blister treatment before another day of rowing. White Spirit is proving effective but painful! The sun is shining as they set off on Roxy at 1100, heading out of the River Crouch against the incoming tide. They practise MOB drills and seat changeovers every 2 hours, as well as preparing meals on board. They had a surprise visit from Charlie (Founder of Rannoch) in a RIB - it was good to say a (rather damp) hello! They covered 28km, exploring the mouth of the River Crouch and the River Roach, rowing with and against the fast running tide. They finished at 1600 and after a review of the day at Ye Olde White Harte pub, thoughts turned to what to pack for the 48 hour row, starting on Wednesday. It's an opportunity to try out their kit and find out how they are going to sleep eat and row as a team. Exciting!

On Wednesday they set off, in a westerly direction then turned north up the east coast, headed for the Suffolk coast. This gave the crew a wonderful chance to get into the 3 on, 3 off rowing regime, learn to cook on board and become familiar with life in the cabins. The weather was kind, morale was high.

An interesting night row on Thursday from the River Blackwater back to Burnham-on-Crouch! After leaving at 1930 on the last of the ebb tide and powering down the river for 90 mins with 6 rowers, the crew then went into their shift pattern of 4 rowers, rowing 2 hours on, 2 hours off. Not too much wind but the tide was driving Roxy north and she needed to go south! Everyone put their backs into rowing but there were long periods when the boat speed was 0 knots - a real perseverance test.  

Eventually, at about 0530, the crew turned Roxy into the Slipway channel and started the long approach to the River Crouch. However, the tide was not co-operating. Through a foggy dawn, they rowed with boat speeds of 0 - 1 knot, barely able to see the navigation lights on the river, until about 0700, when the tide slacked off, and they started to make progress.

Charlie visited them in the RIB at 0900 to simulate a man overboard drill which the crew handled in a calm, effective manner. They covered the last few miles at good speed and arrived at the Marina at 1015 to a warm welcome from Charlie, Nicola and Quentin - the bacon butties were so welcome after 2 days of expedition food! Hot showers, coffee and a de-brief before they were on their way - with the foundations of an Atlantic crew firmly in place.

Thank you to skippers Neil and Chris, for a memorable and enjoyable experience. They rowed 167 km (104 miles) in 5 days, and whilst their bodies felt every bit of the journey, this crew developed a new and exciting level of resilience in rowing Roxy as a team.