World-beating ocean rowers back on dry land

Adam Hewitt • Published 6 Aug 2009 11:00 0 Comments

TWO world record breaking ocean rowers who have been through "hell and high water" together have spoken to the Chronicle about their amazing experience.

James Thysse from Lower Earley and friend Jamie Facer-Childs from Maidenhead beat all the odds by rowing the entire Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius - despite having never rowed before last year.

The pair, both 22 and the youngest ever to conquer the ocean, are still recovering in Mauritius after 103 days at sea, far longer than the 70 to 80 they anticipated. They were one of five teams to complete the 3,136 mile Woodvale Challenge - five other teams had to drop out.

James, from Odell Close, said: "Capsizing in the middle of the Indian Ocean halfway through was the most scared I have ever been. But when we righted, checked over the boat and had time to reflect, we were more determined than ever to reach Mauritius, no matter what.

"Seeing all our friends and family on the dockside was an amazing feeling and something I will never forget."

Speaking to the Chronicle from the tropical island on Tuesday, four days after finishing the race, Jamie added: "It was quite something we went through, it's been a long time at sea and it's fantastic to be back on land.

"It was harder than anyone thought it would be. So many storms, so much wind and the boat suffered so many problems. After we capsized our equipment started playing up and we had to fix it."

Even after all that time with no other company and rationed food, he said he and James - team Southern Cross - were not sick of each other.

He said: "We're going to stay great friends after going through that experience together, you really bond with the person you're doing something like that with. We went through hell and high water together. We had worse weather than any of the other boats."

He spoke of their pride at being two of only four people in the world ever to row the ocean as a pair, and of being the youngest to do it.

They are now having a well-earned holiday in the country, before totting up the thousands they raised for brain injury organisation Headway and children's medical research charity Sparks.

Woodvale Challenge chairman Simon Chalk said: "The number of records established by the crews who competed in this race is extensive, ending with the last team, Southern Cross who also set a new record. This is all credit to the tenacity, determination and sheer will to succeed of the competitors who took part."

Link: www.oz2africa.com

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