Rowers race across the Atlantic

Old Clongownian Tommy Browne (2010) and the Relentless Rowers have recently finished the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge race, having rowed 5,000 km across the Atlantic Ocean, setting an Irish record, and raising much needed funds for the Children’s Unit in Cork University Hospital. Tommy’s ‘very happy and relieved mother’ Nicky gives an account of their great adventure.

A mother’s perspective

The idea first came to Sean Underwood, after reading a book about the race and, having found three willing participants for the undertaking, the plan came together. Sean was a schoolmate of Eoin O’Farrell’s, and the pair had a certain degree of rowing experience. Pat O’Connor and Tommy were complete novices. Needless to say, the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge [the premier event in ocean rowing] is not for the faint-hearted. The annual race saw 32 boats take part this year, departing from the Canary Islands on 14 December and four didn’t make it across the finish line.

The four-man effort saw the rowers taking it in shifts aboard their trusty craft, Saoirse. In teams of two, they would row for two hours, before taking two hours off, to allow for sleeping, washing and eating. The boat itself has two cabins for sleeping and storage. Food was far from Michelin Star quality, with 80% of their diet consisting of freeze-dried food, 1000-calorie meals that need water to be added to them. “Some of it was tasty and some of it was… not the nicest!”, said Tommy.

Twenty foot waves, 45 knot winds, collision with a whale, strikes by flying fish, chronic sea-sickness, a boat’s battery going on fire, a medical emergency with diabetes, and vessels capsizing were just some of the obstacles which faced those in the race. Ireland’s Relentless Rowers certainly had hiccups of their own along the way – like the night a rogue wave hit them. Eoin and Sean were inside in the cabin, while Pat and Tommy were on deck and both lads were thrown overboard. Undaunted, they pulled themselves back on board by the harness, set about securing the boat and continued to row.

“It took about a minute for the boat to come back around,” said Tommy. “Luckily our cabins were shut. If those cabins were open, it would have filled up with water and wouldn’t have come around. We’re just thankful that we made it across safely, because it was rough, and the sea wasn’t the kindest to us.”

Celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year at sea was a strange experience for the crew, but a satisfying one nonetheless. A satellite phone gave them an aggregate of 20 minutes of contact with home, and the emotional support was key in getting them across the water. The crew arrived at English Harbour, Antigua, the Bahamas, amid shouts of joy, fanfare, flares and a resounding rendition of ‘Ireland’s Call’ with Tommy proudly wearing his Clongowes rugby socks.

The Relentless Rowers were one of five crews to break the world record of 35 days as well as setting a new Irish record by making it to Antigua from La Gomera, a Canary Island, in 32 days and 22 hours. To date they have raised €28,937 for the Children’s Unit in Cork University Hospital (click here).

The Late Late Show

Upon their return to Ireland, the lads made an appearance on The Late Late Show on 26 January. Tommy spoke of their inexperience, citing on one occasion that they should have pulled out their power anchor during a storm instead of rowing through it. “We were just essentially four Irish Paddies in a boat thinking this is what normal ocean rowing is like!”

Sean told Ryan Tubridy how they originally aimed to raise €20,000, but had managed to exceed that and are now hoping to get up to €30,000. Specifically, the money will go towards high flow oxygen machines and sleeping facilities for parents.

For more on their adventures visit ‘Relentless’