News

We are pleased to report that Roger Haines has safely made land with a crossing time of 92 days 6 hours and 52 minutes.

Roger has had an extraordinary journey to get to Antigua, aiming first for Mauritius! Roger & his rowing partner Tom Lee started the Indian Ocean Rowing Race in 2009 from Australia. Within less than 48 hours Roger was struck by a rogue wave in severe sea conditions, knocking him over the gunwhales and breaking a few of his ribs. Tom & Roger were then rescued and taken to the Abroylys Islands and flown back into land.

Not a pair to be put off by such drama and devastation, they decided to enter the Atlantic Rowing Race to try and eventually earn the well deserved title of "Ocean Rower". Unfortunately due to the race being postponed for more than 4 weeks, Tom was forced to return to work, unable to accompany Roger across the ocean.

Roger making the brave decision to row solo was not a suprise to his fellow supporters and with a very supporting & encouraging family he decided to go it alone.

On his row across the ocean Roger has developed an ocean rowing language. Just a few snippets "PIE - Port Intigrated Engine (Right Arm), SOT - Starboard Overdrive Turbo (Left Leg), SRE - Strategis Route Expert (Amanda, Roger's girlfriend) and TOM - Tactictal Operations Manager (Roger)

He has had the incredibly rare but we imagine exhilarating experience of dancing to the Jungle Book, pretending to be Baloo the Bear, mid ocean, naked..... Not really sure what to say after that!

Well Done Roger from everyone at Woodvale Challenge!!