Rowing Roy team talk about their extreme round Britain challenge
The ‘Rowing Roy’ 2 man team of Duncan Roy and Gus Barton, both experienced transatlantic rowers, were rowing round Britain at the same time as GB Row’s team Exe Endurow. Starting from Ramsgate in late June, they have now ended their row at Amble on the Northumberland coast. In an interview with the Guardian on 21 July they told how extreme the round Britain route is compared to open ocean rowing.
Duncan Roy recounted how the British coastal route is full of treacherous currents, fast changing weather, heavy shipping, and the ever present temptation of normal life carrying on just a few miles away on the coastline.
The two rowers originally planned to take part in a trans Pacific row, but when this was cancelled due to covid they switched their plans to undertake the round Britain route in an independent record breaking attempt. Their aim was to raise funds for charity while beating the current time set by Jason McKinlay and Josh Tarr in GB Row 2013 on the slightly longer Tower Bridge to Tower Bridge route. However with that target time approaching while they were still off the Northumberland coastline, and with a looming family wedding commitment for team member Gus Barton, it seems the two have sadly had to put ashore at Amble.
The Rowing Roy story really shows that the round Britain route is a tougher challenge of endurance and navigational skills than a Transatlantic row. If you think your are up for it, register your interest for GB Row 2021.
Read the full interview on the Guardian website: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/21/uk-rowers-attempt-to-sail-around-uk-in-record-time
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